PrepTest 140

Correct. Question Type:
Author's Attitude

Strategy Overview:
Review the overall main point and tone of each passage, paying particular attention to vocabulary and explanations

Answer Anticipation/Relevant Lines:
Why did we call this an Author's Attitude question? Because the overall tone of the passages is going to be most important in determining the sources from which these pieces were drawn.

Also, we should pay attention to two things—vocabulary and explanations. The more technical the vocabulary, the more specific the audience of the source is. And the fewer explanations there are for such technical terms or ideas, the more specific the audience is.

So what was the tone of Passage A? As we've noted, it was more descriptive, basic, and explanatory, with some excitement scattered throughout. It set up the phenomenon that was to be analyzed in a particular way in Passage B, and it didn't get very technical, being sure to explain anything that might not be common knowledge. As such, it was probably sourced from a more general source that would appeal to a wider audience.

What about Passage B? That passage got a lot more into the details of tax law and assumed some basic knowledge of the topic on the part of individuals who were reading it. Statements such as, "Loot acquisitions in game worlds should not be treated as taxable prizes and awards," (Lines 45-47) are more technical and geared towards people who are interested in questions of tax law, so this is probably sourced from a more professional journal that's targeted at people who care about these topics.

Let's find an answer reflecting these tones

Answer Explanation:
Passage A used more general language, had a more casual tone, and offered explanations for almost all technical terms and ideas, so it would make sense if it were written for a general audience. Passage B, on the other hand, used technical language and spoke at a high level, failing to explain all the included concepts while assuming the readers would be able to follow based on their background. That makes sense as an article written for a professional journal, such as a law journal. This answer reflects the tone, vocab, and explanations in the two passages, so it's the correct answer.

Key Takeaway:
When trying to ascertain the source for a passage, focus on tone, vocab, and explanations. The more conversational the tone, lower-level the vocab, and extensive the explanations, the more general the audience. The more technical the tone, higher-level the vocab, and absent the explanations for such terms, the more professional/specific the audience.

Incorrect. Passage A involves too low-level of a discussion for it to be a technical journal for economists, spending too much time explaining basic economic concepts. And Passage B, on the other hand, involves language too technical and questions too specific to a field to be aimed at a general audience.

Incorrect. Passage A is way too descriptive to be featured in a normal novel. Passage B, though, could feature in a technical journal for economists, a group that may very well be interested in the tax implications for an emergent economy.

Incorrect. Passage A doesn't discuss the law at all—it just introduces a new economic paradigm. It's also not technical/high-level enough for a law journal. Passage B could arguably be a speech delivered to a legislative body, though that would make Lines 38-40 a little weird since the Author could address the government directly.

Incorrect. Passage A could arguably be the preamble to a speech made to a legislative body to introduce a concept that would then have the legal implications discussed—we can't rule this answer out based on that half. However, as with (C), Passage B is too descriptive/argumentative to be featured in a normal novel.