<p>The cornerstone of the blockbuster movie is the “high concept,” a standard Hollywood term referring to a simple idea that can be easily communicated. High-concept films are designed to give audiences familiar points of reference with other movies (hence, the plethora of Hollywood sequels), rather than promoting new or innovative story lines. All of this suggests that Hollywood is a slave to trends.</p>
<p>In line 1, “cornerstone” most nearly means:
-fundamental element
-secret essence</p>
<p>Why is the answer “fundamental element” and not “secret essence”? In context, to me, the word sounds like it is referring to a key ingredient of a Hollywood movie. That is why I chose “secret essence”.</p>
<p>Prior to these lines, the passage talks about the pleasures of traveling alone. The following lines are examples of other opinions quoted by the author about traveling.</p>
<p>“Others have different opinions. ‘Let me have a companion on my way,’ says another novelist Lawrence Sterne, ‘were it but to remark how the shadows lengthen as the sun declines.’”</p>
<p>Sterne mentions “the shadows” as an example of a
-thoughtless comment that travelers are apt to make to their guides
-common observation that travelers might enjoy sharing nonetheless.</p>
<p>The answer is the second choice. What makes the first choice incorrect?</p>
<p>For the first one, I don’t think anything is “secret” about it. However, it is “fundamental” because it is an essential part of it. My specialty is not CR, but that’s my take on it. Hope that helps.</p>
<ol>
<li>same explanation as above</li>
<li>I would have preferred if you wrote out the whole passage or scanned it I feel like the author is quoting an authority by giving someone’s name, so I chose the second one because a thoughtless comment is not one that you would site an authority for. I would give you some evidence to support my answer, but I don’t know the context of the quotes. The first one seems kind of extreme as well.</li>
<li>I didn’t get this one correct.</li>
</ol>
<p>For #3 I can try to explain it, but I am not a great explain-er so it might not be great.</p>
<p>It says that Fleming learned ABUNDANTLY what Ernest Hemingway TOOK from his…</p>
<p>So the keyword here is Abundantly, which means “in great quantity” basically. So they are expecting you to think of something meaning opposite of abundant, which is gleaned. Gleaned means ‘to take in small amounts’.</p>
<p>Not sure if that helped, I am a pretty crappy explainer, I can do the problems just cannot explain them.</p>
<h1>3: I think, just looking at this question now, that assumed in this context does not really mean learned, which is what took is trying to convey. “what Hemingway took from his trip with…” is like what he took away or learned from the experience. Glean means learn, assume does not really mean learn.</h1>
<ol>
<li><p>If “high concept” is a “standard Hollywood term”, it would hardly be a SECRET essence.</p></li>
<li><p>Sterne is describing a situation in which two people traveling together are peers. They are friends or companions. Neither is in the role of an employer or employee, as traveler/guide suggests. His point centers on companionship, not criticism of the manners of some travelers.</p></li>
</ol>
I feel like the author is quoting an authority by giving someone’s name, so I chose the second one because a thoughtless comment is not one that you would site an authority for. I would give you some evidence to support my answer, but I don’t know the context of the quotes. The first one seems kind of extreme as well.</li>