CB Style Rhetorical Analysis MC Practice #1

1. Answer: (C) “So what’s really going on” (line 40)

Explanation: The major shift in the development of the argument occurs at this point where the author transitions from discussing historical examples of language criticism to delving into the social factors behind objections to language usage. Before this point, the focus is primarily on historical instances of criticism, whereas after this point, the author shifts towards analyzing the underlying social and cultural reasons for such criticisms.

Distractor Analysis: Option (E) "Compare the reactions of many Australians" (lines 64-65) is a distractor because it doesn't represent a significant shift in the development of the argument. It merely serves as an example within the broader discussion of reactions to language changes.

2. Answer: (E) unnecessary changes in word usage in their eras

Explanation: John Wallis, Samuel Johnson, and Jonathan Swift are presented as hostile to unnecessary changes in word usage in their respective eras. The passage highlights their objections to certain words or language usage, indicating their resistance to what they perceive as unwarranted alterations to the language.

Distractor Analysis: Option (D) "snobbish rejections of modern vocabulary" is a distractor because while the individuals mentioned may have been critical of certain language usage, their objections are not solely based on snobbishness but rather on their perceptions of linguistic integrity.

3. Answer: (A) lend a tone of mocking humor to the Discussion

Explanation: The term "hygienists" in the context of discussing Roman verbal hygienists lends a tone of mocking humor to the discussion. By referring to ancient Romans as "verbal hygienists," the passage subtly suggests a humorous contrast between their attempts to regulate language and modern attitudes toward linguistic change.

Distractor Analysis: Option (E) "set up a contrast between Roman and modern English standards of usage" is a distractor because while the term "hygienists" does contrast ancient Roman attitudes with modern ones, the primary effect is to inject humor rather than establish a direct contrast.

4. Answer: (A) usage changes

Explanation: In the passage, "weeds" are used as a metaphor to represent usage changes in language that some people find objectionable or undesirable.

Distractor Analysis: Option (B) "obsolete terms" is a distractor because the passage does not specifically refer to "weeds" as obsolete terms but rather as unwanted or objectionable changes in language usage.

5. Answer: (B) a verb form created from a noun

Explanation: The word "chopsticked" is cited as an example of a verb form created from a noun, illustrating how language can adapt and evolve.

Distractor Analysis: Option (A) "a new usage that is unlikely to persist" is a distractor because the passage does not imply that "chopsticked" is unlikely to persist; rather, it raises the possibility that such new usages may become commonplace over time.

6. Answer: (E) anxious about how their use of language affects others’ perceptions of them

Explanation: Paragraph three suggests that those who strictly follow rules of the English language may feel anxious about how their language usage reflects on their social status or intelligence, indicating a concern for how others perceive them based on their language choices.

Distractor Analysis: Option (C) "free to break rules of social etiquette" is a distractor because the passage does not suggest that those who follow rules of the English language are necessarily free to break rules of social etiquette; rather, it implies a level of anxiety or concern about adhering to linguistic norms.

7. Answer: (B) broadening from people’s immediate circle of contacts to their own larger society and then to an international perspective

Explanation: The author's discussion of reaction to changes in language expands from examples of individual objections to language usage within their immediate social circles (e.g., Samuel Johnson's objections) to broader societal attitudes (e.g., reactions to Americanized spellings) and finally to an international perspective (e.g., reactions of Australians to Americanization).

Distractor Analysis: Option (C) "intensifying as it moves from spelling variations that annoy to word choices that express bias to larger communications that antagonize" is a distractor because the discussion does not necessarily intensify in terms of negativity or conflict, but rather broadens in scope.

8. Answer: (B) nationalism influences reactions to linguistic changes

Explanation: Examples in paragraph four illustrate how reactions to linguistic changes are influenced by nationalism, as seen in the objections to Americanized spellings of words, reflecting deeper social and cultural judgments.

Distractor Analysis: Option (C) "generalizations about language usage are usually inaccurate" is a distractor because the examples provided do not directly support the idea that generalizations about language usage are usually inaccurate, but rather demonstrate the influence of nationalism on reactions to linguistic changes.

9. Answer: (A) build on the point made in lines 1-5

Explanation: The example of Alfred the Great serves to build on the point made in the opening lines about the historical perspective on language change, emphasizing that changes to English over time are natural and contribute to the language's richness and versatility.

Distractor Analysis: Option (D) "document the earliest changes to the English language" is a distractor because the example of Alfred the Great does not specifically document the earliest changes to the English language but rather serves to illustrate a broader point about language evolution.

10. Answer: (D) resentment of America’s cultural and economic status

Explanation: The author indicates that international reactions to Americanized spellings of words can reflect resentment of America's cultural and economic dominance, as seen in objections to spellings perceived as symbols of American hegemony.

Distractor Analysis: Option (E) "confidence that local usage will ultimately prevail" is a distractor because the passage does not suggest that international reactions to Americanized spellings reflect confidence in local usage prevailing but rather resentment or opposition to American influence.

11. Answer: (D) interest in the past of and optimism for the future of English

Explanation: The author's attitude toward the English language is one of interest in its past development and optimism for its future, as evidenced by the acknowledgment of historical changes and the assertion that the future for English has never looked so good.

Distractor Analysis: Option (B) "acceptance of changes in English despite a strong sense of loss" is a distractor because while the author acknowledges changes in English, there is no indication of a strong sense of loss associated with these changes.

12. Answer: (D) thoughtful yet playful

Explanation: The tone in the passage is best described as thoughtful yet playful. While the author engages in serious discussion about language change and usage, there is also an element of playfulness in the way historical examples are presented and analyzed.

Distractor Analysis: Option (E) "moralistic and rigid" is a distractor because there is no indication of a moralistic or rigid tone in the passage; rather, the author approaches the topic with a balanced and exploratory attitude.

13. Answer: (E) I, II, III, and IV

Explanation: The author employs rhetorical questions (e.g., "Will this verb catch on?" - line 38), references to grammatical terms (e.g., "loss of inflection" - line 24), quotations from famous writers (e.g., Samuel Johnson, Jonathan Swift), and examples from diverse eras (e.g., Roman verbal hygienists, contemporary reactions to Americanized spellings) in developing the arguments in the passage.

Distractor Analysis: None.

14. Answer: (A) an informed commentator

Explanation: The author's relation to the reader is best described as that of an informed commentator, as they provide analysis and insight into the topic of language change and usage without displaying anger or detachment.

Distractor Analysis: Option (C) "an angry critic" is a distractor because there is no indication of anger in the author's tone or attitude towards the subject matter; rather, the author approaches the topic with a sense of curiosity and understanding.