MCAT Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills Question 106: Answer and Explanation

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Test Information

Question: 106

7. According to the author, auction catalogues are generally designed to create what sort of impression for potential bidders?

  • A. A belief that the lives of movie stars and rich eccentrics are more fascinating than our own
  • B. An acknowledgement that something has ended-a life, someone's fiscal solvency, or an acquisitive passion
  • C. A wistful imagining of the stories and secrets those objects can potentially reveal
  • D. An appearance of impartiality and professionalism

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

C This is an Inference question.

A: No. Paragraph 1 establishes that "most Americans do not approve of either peaceful or violent protests."

B: No. The passage does not address America's history of violence or public attitudes towards it.

C: Yes. In paragraph 1, Americans are portrayed as quietly accepting the status quo. Most oppose antigovernment protest and the majority of those who tolerate dissent don't participate. Also, in paragraph 3, the author describes the American populace as merely "satisfied": "It is possible to view the United States as a democratic system that has survived without a strong democratic political culture because governmental policies have gained a continual, widespread acceptance."

D: No. The passage does not describe Americans as patriotic. Furthermore, the author states in paragraph 1 that "Increasing numbers of people seem to be tolerating demonstrations and protests under some circumstances." Even if this is still a minority of the population, it would be too extreme to describe Americans as a whole as "unwilling to tolerate dissent."

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