MCAT Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills Question 36: Answer and Explanation

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Test Information

Question: 36

3. Which of the following statements is/are supported by information in the passage?

I. Adams was a man beholden to vanity regarding his appearance.

II. Adams returned to teach and was motivated by instilling a new generation with useful information that was well received by his students.

III. Adams had a predilection for politics and literature.

  • A. I only
  • B. III only
  • C. I and III only
  • D. I, II, and III

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

B This is an Inference/Roman numeral question.

I: False. This statement is not supported by the passage. While Adams' vanity is mentioned in the first paragraph, there was no mention of Adams being vain specifically about his appearance.

II: False. While it is correct that Adams did teach, the passage states that Adams went "back to teach in his turn what no student naturally cared or needed to know" (paragraph 2). Therefore the claim that Adams was "motivated by instilling a new generation with useful information that was well received by his students" is inconsistent with the text.

III: True. By stating that the Harvard experience "weakened the violent political bias of childhood" (paragraph 4), the author suggests that Adams did have an interest in, or predilection towards, politics in the first place. The author also mentions in paragraph 1 that because of Lee's request, "The diplomat felt his profession." As for literature, in paragraph 4 the author states: "Rather by instinct than by guidance, he turned to writing," suggesting that Adams had some interest himself in literature.

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