Q4

[ohthatpatrick]

(moving Dan's original post here)

4. (E)
Question Type: Inference (21-22)
This question requires that we use information in the text to make an inference about the author’s
attitude towards the conventional rift between poetry and fiction. The word “fortunately” in line
21 is a good clue that the author is against this rift, and is glad that there are emerging examples
of writers who are mixing the two genres. If you got your scale right to start, this question should
be straightforward. Answer (E) is the correct answer.
(A) is a contradictory interpretation. The author is not perplexed as to what could have caused
the rift. In fact, paragraph 2 explains what caused the rift.
(B) is a contradictory interpretation. Academics have not overlooked the rift. In fact, they
support it.
(C) is an unsupported interpretation. The author is not ambivalent. In fact, he/she is very much
on one side of this issue.
(D) is a contradictory interpretation. The author believes that the rift is being overcome (by
writers such as Rita Dove).

[JonathanK520]

In the second paragraph, the author uses the term "perhaps" to posit a potential reason why the rift may exist in the U.S.

The answer lies perhaps in a widespread attitude in U.S. culture, which often casts a suspicious eye on the generalist.

Does that term not convey a certain level of uncertainty that could be interpreted as "perplexity" (Answer A)?

(A) perplexity as to what could have led to the development of such a rift

[ohthatpatrick]

Good question. Yes, "perhaps" definitely conveys uncertainty, but not perplexity.

Being perplexed is about being totally confused / befuddled.

Using the term 'perhaps' is a more gentle, tentative phrasing, but it doesn't indicate a total lack of comprehension.

"You look cold. Perhaps we'd be more comfortable by the fire."
(I'm not guaranteeing we'd be more comfortable, but I believe we PROBABLY will be)

Is it fair to say that anyone who's uncertain is perplexed?

Doesn't seem fair to me. And I think the wider context of this answer is how we know it's wrong: the author is definitely not at a total loss of comprehension for "what could possibly have led to this rift?"

He has a theory, and he explains that theory. So while he's using "perhaps" to indicate that he can't PROVE he's right, he's not totally confused as to what could have possibly led to this state of affairs.

So taken as a whole, (A) conveys a sense of utter cluelessness, not a sense of an uncertain hypothesis.

Hope this helps.