Hi, I’m preparing for the SAT, and while taking some practice tests, I found some questions that I could not understand its explanation.
(the passage for the following question can be found on 44th page of this link (or, as the page number goes, on pg. 43): https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-SjC2QWxqXRQTI4bWp4UW9WUzA/view )
- The "writers, musicians, and visual artists" in line 83-84, Passage 2, would most likely view the "standard of value" referred to in line 35, Passage 1, with (A) eagerness (B) awe (C) envy (D) dismay (E) uncertainty
I chose choice (A), eagerness, because they seemed to support the view. Since Virgil Thompson said “every time I think I’m famous…”, I thought that the writers, musicians, and visual artists who were mentioned liked to be popular, and the “standard of value,” which is concerned with something that can “hold the public’s attention,” seemed to go along with them.
The answer, however, was (D). I don’t really get this. Although it is stated they were “serious,” I interpreted that “serious[ness]” as a description about how they were devoted to their work (in other words, they worked really hard), not as something “thoughtful” as mentioned in passage 1. For example, I thought that the “serious” in passage 2 would have the same meaning as the sentence following: “I thought that playing a piano was merely his hobby, but after talking to Tommy, I realized how serious he was about this.” Am I thinking in wrong direction?
Another question:
- the passage for the following question can be found on 33rd page of the same link above (or, as the page number goes, on pg. 32)
- It can be inferred that Sandro considered "rhetoric" (line 37) to be (A) an inadequate way to develop substantive ideas (B) an questionable method of explanation for a professor to use (C) an interesting means of describing the world of matter (D) a stimulating form of discourse for debate among peers (E) an enticing but forbidden attraction for students
I chose choice (C), precisely because on line 37 it is state that Sandro “took an interest in my education.” Although I knew that Sandro’s view was not in accordance with that of the author, I nonetheless chose (C) because it used the same word - “interest[ing].” Why is (A) a right choice, not (C)? I kinda get the reasoning, but not really… besides, what does “substantive” mean? I googled it but I couldn’t really understand in context with this question/passage.
Much help will be greatly appreciated. 