MCAT Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills Question 127: Answer and Explanation

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Test Information

Question: 127

7. It may be inferred from the passage that each of the following describes Benjamin Franklin's writings EXCEPT:

  • A. they attracted some readership outside the United States.
  • B. they at times addressed controversial religious topics.
  • C. they were notable for their somewhat commonplace style.
  • D. their style reflected in a certain fashion Franklin's attitude towards religion.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

B This is an Inference/EXCEPT question.

A: No. Paragraph 1 demonstrates that Franklin's work was known internationally.

B: Yes. Although Franklin spoke of God (paragraph 4), there is no evidence that his writings addressed religious topics, especially controversial religious topics. Also, the fact that D.H. Lawrence claimed that Franklin "found the rules which lead to success and turned them into a religion" (paragraph 1) can't be interpreted to mean that Franklin literally wrote about religion itself. Because you cannot infer this answer to be true based on the passage, it is the correct answer to an EXCEPT question.

C: No. Their commonplace style is discussed in paragraphs 2 and 3. Note the more moderate wording of this choice as compared to choice B.

D: No. This is a paraphrase of the first sentence of paragraph 4. Note the difference between choice B and choice D. Choice D says that the style of Franklin's writings reflected religious attitudes, but choice B states that his writings directly addressed religious topics.

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