Reading comp PrepTest 141 · Section 1 · Question 16

Incorrect. (Lines 46-49) The passage says something similar to this when rebutting the Marcusians' assumption in Paragraph 4. However, the point of the passage is to argue against the Marcusians, not to argue in favor of ads. The Author doesn't argue that ads have social value for these reasons—just that they do serve these purposes, and that's part of the reason that Marcusians are wrong.

Incorrect. (Paragraph 3) This answer reflects, to an extent, the third paragraph, where the Author argued that even "[i]f Marcusians are right," it rests on a problematic distinction between real and false needs (Lines 28-31). However, she then pivots and goes on to argue that, in fact, the Marcusians aren't right in Paragraph 4, and this answer completely misses that main part of the argument.

Correct. Question Type:
Main Point

Strategy Overview:
Reiterate the main point that we came up with after reading the passage

Answer Anticipation/Relevant Lines:
The Author starts by introducing criticism of ads, headlined by Marcuse (Lines 1-4). Namely, that they create false needs in people. That view is then fleshed out in Paragraph 2, noting that the ads connect products to base needs (e.g. sex = perfume) that leave people's actual needs unfulfilled.

However, she then pivots to say that even "[i]f Marcusians are right," their distinction is "extremely problematic" (Line 28) because the needs would be based on things so prevalent in society that we can't possibly tell them apart (Lines 31-34).

Moving past that criticism, she then argues that Marcuse based his argument on a false assumption—that ads can make people do things (Lines 35-37). That's not true, as most adults know how ads work and aren't completely manipulated by them (Line 42; Line 37-40), and can choose to try to fulfill their needs with stuff (and it might even work) (Lines 52-56).

From this, we summarized the main point as:

Marcuse and his adherents claim that ads create false needs in people that are left unfulfilled by purchases. Even if he's right, that distinction between real and false needs is problematic. But he's not right, because consumers make informed decisions and can opt for fulfillment from products.

Answer Explanation:
(Lines 35-43; Lines 52-56) The Author lays out Marcuse's argument and even points out a problematic implication if he's correct. However, she ends by pivoting to her main point—that Marcusians "made a major mistake" in assuming something that isn't true (Lines 35-40). And that informed adults can "freely and intentionally" buy products to fulfill their needs (Lines 53-56), even genuinely. This answer reflects the Author's opinion of the opposing point, so it's the correct answer.

Key Takeaway:
When a passage argues in the alternative, there's always a chance that one of the prongs will make up the main point, to the exclusion of others. The main point will generally reflect her true belief, not the argument she's making to hedge her bets. Here, we know that Paragraph 4 is her main point for structural and logical reasons. First, structural—she pivots from the other prong of her attack with a "But," showing that she's moving to the main thrust of her attack. Second, logical—if you think someone's wrong, then you think they're wrong—you may argue that even if they're right, there's a problem with their argument, but you still primarily think they're wrong.

Incorrect. (Line 1; Line 6) The passage says that "[s]ome critics" of advertising focus on this, led by Marcuse. This answer fails to mention Marcuse, and it speaks about all critics, not just the ones in the passage, so it's incorrect.

Incorrect. (Lines 16-17) The passage says that Marcuse said that people have "both physical and psychological needs," so the distinction made by the Marcusians doesn't overlook this need. This answer also skips over the part where the Author argues about autonomy in Paragraph 4, and that made up the majority of her rebuttal.