Reading comp PrepTest 143 · Section 2 · Question 4

Passage SummaryTopic: Social Science

Paragraph 1

• Paragraph note
  • A phenomenon is introduced that has divided anthropologists
• Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
  • Old problem - Eliminate colonial gaze in ethnographic film
  • New phenomenon - Indigenous cultures are getting cameras and recording their own cultures
  • Anthropologists are "sharply divided" on how to view this

Paragraph 2

• Paragraph note
  • One view is described
• Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
  • Weiner et. al. - Cameras are an assault on indigenous cultures
  • Devalues differences, pushing Western approach (realism, immediacy, self-expression)
  • Paradox - Costs indigenous peoples the culture they want to preserve
  • Weiner - Others who think this is good are naïve

Paragraph 3

• Paragraph note
  • Other view is described
• Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
  • Ginsburg et. al. - Weiner appeals to "noble savage" (super negative)
  • Concession - Western objects aren't neutral
  • Non-Western peoples can adopt this tech without Western values
  • Opportunity to preserve language and traditions

Paragraph 4

• Paragraph note
  • A real-world example backs up Ginsburg's view
• Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
  • Ex. Turner/Kayapo (oral tradition) - Back up Ginsburg
  • Kayapo record ceremonies and interactions with government (legally binding)
  • Kayapo videos/editing reflect their culture/ceremonies (complex patterns; repetition; sequential organization)

Main Point:
While there is a sharp debate between anthropologists on whether it's good for indigenous cultures to adopt Western technology/cameras, a real-world example suggests that this technology does more harm than good, at least as far as preserving their culture is concerned.

Key Lines:
Lines 8-10 - The phenomenon is introduced
Lines 11-12 - The debate is previewed
Lines 13-15 - The first side of the debate is introduced and outlined
Lines 32-34 - The second side of the debate makes a concession to the first
Lines 34-36 - The second side of the debate rebuts the first
Lines 40-43 - The second side of the debate is outlined
Lines 44-47 - A specific example is introduced that supports the second view
Lines 54-59 - The best line describing the example's relevance

Meta-Structure:
Phenomenon/Implication - This is a variation on the Phenomenon/Explanation pattern. However, there's no explanation for the phenomenon here—the adoption of cameras by indigenous peoples. The debate is over whether it's a good or a bad thing.

Debate - Two sides of a debate are outlined. Here, the Author ends up leaning towards one side.

General Point/Specific Example - The Author brings up a single example to back up the viewpoint that she most closely aligns with. Remember, when a single example serves as the backing for a view, that view isn't on the strongest ground!

Last Thoughts:
That discussion of "ontology" is probably going to show up as at least an answer, since it's not a word you hear every day!