Reading comp PrepTest 141 · Section 1 · Question 9
Passage
From a critical discussion of the work of Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron. Questions 8-15 . What Cameron called her
Remaining source text redacted.
Passage walkthrough
Passage SummaryTopic:
Paragraph 1
Despite some nay-sayers, Cameron's "fancy-subject" pictures are vital, true, and special because they capture something unique by showing the true experience of the actors at the same time as they depict a fictional scene.
Key Lines:
Lines 13-20 - The Author states a positive opinion of Cameron's work and highlights what gives them their "charm"
Lines 21-24 - Another reason for the value of Cameron's work
Lines 43-36 - Another reason for the value of Cameron's work
Line 47 - An example is introduced
Meta-Structure:
Comparisons - This passage relies heavily on comparing Cameron's works to others, to highlight what makes them unique and special. Her photos are compared both to traditionally "good" art and "bad" art to show that, while they don't amount to the former, they don't fall into the traps of the latter, and they instead capture something missing from other art—a truth about the circumstances under which the photos are taken, revealing a story of the actors involved.
Last Thoughts:
Since there were so many comparisons in the passage, we should expect questions and answers that reflect these details, so it'll be good to have those noted in some way (even if you just threw a "Comp" note to allow yourself to find where the comparisons are).
Also, note that all the paragraphs have a similar function—to highlight something about Cameron's photos that make them special. As such, it would be important to define the role of each paragraph a little more precisely so that we can find relevant information faster. That's why, in our Summary, we noted a bit more about how each paragraph proceeds.
Also, do yourself a favor and Google her photographs. Trust us, they don't disappoint.
Paragraph 1
- Paragraph note
- An artist's work is described, compared to others, and judged
- Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
- Cameron - "fancy-subject" photos of costumed people reenacting stories, but accidentally comical
- Compared to serious work - Cameron's work feature "actors" who don't want to be there
- Failed goal of Cameron - Seamless works of illustrative art
- Compared to curiosities (e.g., Rejlander) - not extravagantly awful
- Author - Her words are "among [Victorian photography's] most vital images."
- Paragraph note
- What makes Cameron's images special (truth), with more comparisons (contrast)
- Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
- Truth is key - the people's faces showing how they feel creates a plot
- Vs. painting - Can suspend disbelief because there aren't real people
- Vs. theater - Can suspend disbelief and believe actor is character
- Photo - We know it's an actor
- Paragraph note
- More on what makes Cameron's images special (combo of amateurism and artistry), with examples
- Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
- Special because of combo of amateurism and artistry
- Ex - Arthur - Props are very fake, but it becomes magical
- Like good amateur theatricals, not bad ones (guilty pleasures)
Despite some nay-sayers, Cameron's "fancy-subject" pictures are vital, true, and special because they capture something unique by showing the true experience of the actors at the same time as they depict a fictional scene.
Key Lines:
Lines 13-20 - The Author states a positive opinion of Cameron's work and highlights what gives them their "charm"
Lines 21-24 - Another reason for the value of Cameron's work
Lines 43-36 - Another reason for the value of Cameron's work
Line 47 - An example is introduced
Meta-Structure:
Comparisons - This passage relies heavily on comparing Cameron's works to others, to highlight what makes them unique and special. Her photos are compared both to traditionally "good" art and "bad" art to show that, while they don't amount to the former, they don't fall into the traps of the latter, and they instead capture something missing from other art—a truth about the circumstances under which the photos are taken, revealing a story of the actors involved.
Last Thoughts:
Since there were so many comparisons in the passage, we should expect questions and answers that reflect these details, so it'll be good to have those noted in some way (even if you just threw a "Comp" note to allow yourself to find where the comparisons are).
Also, note that all the paragraphs have a similar function—to highlight something about Cameron's photos that make them special. As such, it would be important to define the role of each paragraph a little more precisely so that we can find relevant information faster. That's why, in our Summary, we noted a bit more about how each paragraph proceeds.
Also, do yourself a favor and Google her photographs. Trust us, they don't disappoint.
Question prompt
The author mentions the
Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right
Credited answer: A
The notes below walk through why it fits the stem and how to eliminate the rest.
Question Type
Social Science
Answer choices
-
Aexamples of amateurish aspects Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice A matches the stem
Correct. Question Type:
Argument Structure
Strategy Overview:
Head back to the statement in question and define its role in the context of the section it's mentioned in, the paragraph it's included in, and the passage as a whole
Answer Anticipation/Relevant Lines:
The Passing of Arthur showed up in Paragraph 3, where we said the Author was trying to present more on what makes Cameron's images special. The photograph itself is listed as an example, so we should check the passage to see what it's an example of. Reading the preceding line, it's an example of Cameron's pictures' "singular combination of amateurism and artistry" (Lines 45-46).
So The Passing of Arthur is designed to show this unique combination—are the props mentioned as support for amateurism, or artistry? Reading the example, we can see that the props were not very convincing—the mast was "obviously broomsticks" and the water "white muslin drapery" (Lines 49-50). So these elements are on the amateur side of the example. Let's find an answer stating that.
Answer Explanation:
(Lines 45-50) The Passing of Arthur is noted as an example of the singular combination of amateurism and artistry in Cameron's photographs. Since the props were obviously not what they were meant to represent, they're brought up to show the amateurism half of that combination, so this is the correct answer.
Key Takeaway:
When an Argument Structure question asks about an example or an element of an example, see what the Author says it's an example of. The correct answer will likely refer to the broader point. -
Bevidence of the transformative Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice B is not credited
Incorrect. (Lines 38-40; Lines 55-57) The two discussions of theater are separated from this example, making it unlikely the correct answer. Additionally, as the photographs aren't theater—they just are compared to it—this answer is incorrect. -
Ctestimonies to Cameron's ingenuity
Why choice C is not credited
Incorrect. (Lines 45-46) Ingenuity is a positive word that the passage doesn't apply to Cameron's photography. And it's definitely not the characteristic that the Author notes are exemplified by The Passing of Arthur (singular combination of amateurism and artistry). -
Dindications that the work Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice D is not credited
Incorrect. (Lines 14-16) It's noted in Paragraph 1 that Cameron's goal was to make "seamless works of illustrative art," so they weren't intended ironically. -
Esupport for a negative Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice E is not credited
Incorrect. (Lines 52-53) The Author calls the photograph "magical and mysterious," so he's not bringing it up to support a negative view of her work. While he does note that some compare her works generally to "poor amateur theatricals," that's not specific to this piece, and the Author disagrees with it, anyway.
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