PrepTest 153

Incorrect. Neither speaker has an opinion on this subject. They're only talking about their own country, whatever it might be.

Incorrect. Elsa says this Must Be False, but Laurie doesn't have an opinion. She could agree with Elsa that this is an impossible goal, yet still believe that it should be the standard by which success is measured. Maybe she thinks all possible public art would inevitably be unsuccessful.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Point at Issue

Stimulus Summary:
Laurie says that in a democracy, public art is only successful if it brings people together by expressing consensus or helping people reconcile their differences and get comfortable with different opinions. Contemporary public art divides people. So it isn't successful.

Elsa responds that in cases where public opinion varies radically, public art ought to emphasize that. And besides, Laurie's objective for public art is impossible. No art could do all that.

Answer Anticipation:
Elsa's come a long way since Frozen 2, out here debating public art now! Good for her. Basically, Laurie and Elsa agree that contemporary public art doesn't create consensus, but Elsa doesn't think it should be expected to do so. Laurie, on the other hand, says public art can't be considered successful if it doesn't do that. So, they've obviously got different definitions of "successful public art."

Answer Explanation:
Elsa thinks public art should emphasize radical differences that exist in public opinion. Laurie thinks public art should reconcile different views. They don't seem to be on the same page here, which makes this answer correct.

Key Takeaway:
Especially late in the section, Point at Issue questions are rarely as simple as "they disagree on the conclusion." Usually we're looking at something more subtle, as with this question. Dig down below the basic parts of the argument and ask yourself what the fight is really about. Sometimes, as in this case, they disagree on something fairly abstract.

Incorrect. Laurie says this Must Be True, but Elsa doesn't mention anything about it. She might agree.

Incorrect. Neither speaker says anything directly about wisdom. The debate is about what characterizes successful art, not what course of action is wise.