GRE Reading Comprehension

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Source: OG2

The attribution of early-nineteenth-century English fiction is notoriously problematic. Fewer than half of new novels published in Britain between 1800 and 1829 had the author's true name printed on the title page. Most of these titles have subsequently been attributed, either through the author's own acknowledgment of a previously 5 anonymous or pseudonymous work, or through bibliographical research. One important tool available to researchers is the list of earlier works "by the author" often found on title pages. But such lists are as likely to create new confusion as they are to solve old problems. Title pages were generally prepared last in the publication process, often without full authorial assent, and in the last-minute rush to press, mistakes were frequently 10 made.

Question List: 1 2

The passage suggests that which of the following factors contributes to the "notoriously problematic" (line 1) nature of authorial attribution in earlynineteenth-century English fiction?

  • A The unwillingness of any writers to acknowledge their authorship of works that were originally published anonymously or pseudonymously
  • B The possibility that the title page of a work may attribute works written by other authors to the author of that work
  • C The possibility that the author's name printed on a title page is fictitious

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