PrepTest 155

Question Type:
Tone/Author's Audience

Strategy Overview:
Review the introductory paragraph and the words that express both authors' attitudes to determine whether each author is writing for a general or specific audience

Answer Anticipation:
The Author's Audience question is a rare Tone question that appears most frequently in comparative passages. These questions are classified under the Tone family of questions because we'll mostly rely on the authors' word choice to determine whether they are writing for a general audience (like the kind that would read a popular magazine or website) or a specific audience (like an audience of specialists or academics). Authors who write for a general population will tend to use more words that convey excitement or criticism, while the opinions of authors writing for a specialized audience will usually be more muted. Additionally, the introductory paragraphs of both passages can be revealing. Authors writing for a general audience will make the opening paragraph accessible. They'll clearly define the subject matter and any relevant concepts. They'll also try to build intrigue by asking tantalizing questions or making bold assertions. On the other hand, authors writing for specialized or academic audiences will assume that their readers are already familiar with and interested in the topic. Such authors won't define their terms or build suspense.

In this case, passage A's tone is much more opinionated — notice the words like "seduced" (PA, P1, S1), "fantastical" (PA, P1, S3), and "mistake" (PA, P2, S1). Passage A also defines Whorf's hypothesis and builds intrigue by intimating that Whorf seduced a generation with a fantastically wrong hypothesis (PA, P1, S3). On the other hand, passage B's author is more detached and academic, using big words and including an exploration of the studies' results that were much more difficult to understand. Also, notice how the author of passage B assumes we already know what a "Whorfian" and "non-Whorfian" hypothesis is. For these reasons, we can infer that the author of passage A addresses a general audience, while the author of passage B addresses a specialized audience (probably an academic audience, given the expectation that we already know who Whorf is). Let's look for that in the answer choices.

Answer Choice Explanation:
Does this says that the author of passage A addresses a general audience, while the author of passage B addresses a specialized or academic audience?

Absolutely! This was our prediction after reviewing the author's tone and introductory paragraphs, so we can confidently select this answer choice. Indeed, passage A is much more opinionated and relies on more accessible language and straightforward examples. Passage B is more detached, without a clear opinion, and concludes that multiple possible interpretations are correct. It uses "harder" vocab and expects us to already be familiar with Whorfian hypotheses. This suggests that passage A is written for a more general audience than passage B, and passage B is aimed at academics, so this is the correct answer.

Key Takeaway:
Similar to the previous question, take these answers one half at a time. If any of the details don't line up, you can eliminate it.

Does this says that the author of passage A addresses a general audience, while the author of passage B addresses a specialized or academic audience?

Nope. We can cross (B) off. Besides, both passages discuss specific groups of people and the languages they use, so either could be an anthropologist or a linguist.

Does this says that the author of passage A addresses a general audience, while the author of passage B addresses a specialized or academic audience?

Not at all. In fact, this answer choice reverses the passages. Passage A uses stronger language — especially with respect to Whorf — and puts forward a specific theory about language and thought. Passage B uses more academic language and concludes that there are four more or less equally valid interpretations of the data. The author of passage B is more of a neutral observer, and the author of passage A is more of an advocate for a particular view.

Does this says that the author of passage A addresses a general audience, while the author of passage B addresses a specialized or academic audience?

Not quite. Passage A discusses Whorf's hypothesis not to explore the history of the idea but to form an alternative hypothesis. And the author of passage A is also concerned with the truth of Whorf's hypothesis.

Does this says that the author of passage A addresses a general audience, while the author of passage B addresses a specialized or academic audience?

No, so experienced test-takers would cross this off. But this is still a tempting answer choice! Passage A is dismissive of Whorf's ideas, while passage B states that interpretations of a study can conform to a Whorfian hypothesis. However, Whorf's hypothesis isn't the only idea under discussion. Even in passage A, the focus is broader — on how language influences thought. And the author of passage A isn't dismissive of that idea — it's the author's main point. As such, this answer is incorrect.