Reading comp PrepTest 102 · Section 1 · Question 15

Topic: Social Science

Paragraph 1

• Paragraph note
  • Proponents of Pan-Indianism view (intertribal tendencies at powwows will lead to the dissolution of tribes)
• Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
  • Definition of "Pan-Indian" theory: a belief of many sociologists that the intertribal aspects of the revived powwow are an indication that tribal culture is declining (first sentence)
  • "Pan-Indian" theory proponents' view:
    • They argue that growing intertribalism will result in the assimilation of Native Americans into Euroamerican society (second sentence)
  • Cause-and-effect relationship, according to "Pan-Indian" theory proponents:
    • Greater frequency of travel and communication between reservations, greater urbanization, and increasing politicization in response to common grievances cause greater intertribal tendency (third sentence)
  • Author's attitude: "resurgence as a vital tradition" (first sentence)

Paragraph 2

• Paragraph note
  • Author's rebuttal (intertribalism is increasing, but so is a revival of tribal traditions)
• Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
  • Author's view:
    • Intertribalism is increasing, as indicated by shared dance styles, outfits, and songs between reservations (first sentence)
    • But tribe-specific rituals are also being revived (second sentence)
    • Pan-Indianism doesn't account for everything taking place in Native American societies (last sentence)
  • Examples of tribe-specific rituals being revived, according to the author:
    • Lakota "Sun Dance," Society of the Kiowa, and the Hethuska Society of the Ponca (third and fourth sentences)
  • Author's attitude: "compelling evidence" (first sentence); "failed to note" (second sentence); "Obviously, a more complex societal shift is taking place" (last sentence)

Paragraph 3

• Paragraph note
  • Author on mistaken assumption behind Pan-Indian theory (minority society immediately assimilates to majority society)
• Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
  • Author's view:
    • Pan-Indianism is predicated on the theory that, upon contact, minority culture will subordinate itself biologically, linguistically, and culturally, to majority culture (second sentence)
    • Native Americans disagree that this is happening (first sentence)
    • There is no evidence this is happening in Native American cultures (last sentence)
  • Author's attitude: "may be critical" (first sentence); "especially given that" (first sentence); "chafe most" (first sentence); "a priori assumption" (second sentence); "there is no evidence" (third sentence)

Paragraph 4

• Paragraph note
  • Author's concession (intertribalism is a major aspect of Native American culture)
• Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
  • Author's concession:
    • Intertribal activities are a major part of Native American culture (first sentence)
    • It's important to note the intentional distinction that Native Americans make between intertribal and tribal activities (last sentence)
  • Examples of intertribal activities, according to the author:
    • The dances, prayers, and speeches at powwows that are intertribal are consciously distinguished from traditional ones (second and third sentences)
  • Author's attitude: "major facet" (first sentence); "of course, old news" (fourth sentence); "important to note" (last sentence)

Paragraph 5

• Paragraph note
  • Author's reconciliation (tribalism and intertribalism serve complementary functions)
• Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
  • Author's reconciliation:
    • Tribalism and intertribalism are complementary, as tribalism reinforces tribal identity while intertribalism reinforces Native American identity across a pan-tribal front where it is threatened by majority culture (first and second sentence)
  • Author's attitude: "greatly altered" (first sentence); "remains a potent force" (first sentence); "basis for tribal identity" (first sentence); "reinforce native American identity along a broader front" (last sentence)

Main Point: Far from losing their tribal identity to Pan-Indianism, Native American cultures are experiencing a rise of tribalism, which strengthens tribal identity, and intertribalism, a complementary force that builds cross-tribe solidarity against outside influences.

Paragraph 1, Sentence 2 (P1, S2) - Pan-Indian theory introduced

P2, S2 - Author's rebuttal to Pan-Indian theory

P4, S1 - Intertribalism is a major force

P5, S1-2 - Reconciliation of tribalism and intertribalism

Resolving a Debate: This passage tows the line between a Resolving a Debate and a Correcting the Record passage.* You could go with either, and your understanding of the passage would be solid. However, because the author's act of reconciliation was so apparent in how the author resolves the differences between tribalism and intertribalism in the last paragraph, we felt that Resolving a Debate was the best fit for this passage.

This passage presents two competing trends among the Native Americans: the rise of intertribal activities (and the accompanying belief among "Pan-Indian" theorists who think this portends the end of tribes) and the revitalization of tribal traditions (among Native Americans who chafe at the "Pan-Indian" theory). The author ultimately resolves this "debate," arguing that intertribalism and tribalism serve complementary roles in Native American culture. This reconciliation ultimately rebuts the fears of "Pan-Indian" theorists (which is why some people will see this as a Correcting the Record passage).

In a Resolving a Debate passage, the main point is generally the author's opinion on the debate. Often, the author summarizes their opinion in one or two sentences. Here, the author provides this summary in the last paragraph, so we can use that to assess the Main Point answer choices. But just to make sure our bases are covered, we also anticipated a version of the main point that incorporates the author's rebuttal of the "Pan-Indian" theory.

*You could also call this a Criticizing a Viewpoint, Rebutting Critics or even a Old Approach/New Approach passage instead of a Correcting the Record passage.

This passage is heavy on the author’s attitude and relatively light on the minor Meta-Structures. Therefore, we should expect more Major Point, Tone, and Argument Structure questions than usual and fewer Minor Point and Application questions than usual.