MCAT Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills Question 39: Answer and Explanation

Home > MCAT Test > MCAT critical analysis and reasoning skills practice tests

Test Information

Question: 39

1. Which of the following would be LEAST consistent with the author's description of cultural studies?

  • A. An analysis of Missourian Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court that examined questions regarding the oppressive inequality embodied in monarchical social etiquette and regional class structures.
  • B. A discussion of female image and intelligence as presented by reality TV dating shows such as VH1's Rock of Love with rock star Bret Michaels.
  • C. An exploration of whether Steven Spielberg's absent father characters in E.T., Catch Me If You Can, and the Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade are a response to his own father being absent in his childhood.
  • D. An examination of the influence of gospel hymns on the speechwriting of civil rights leaders such as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Medgar Evers.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

C This is an Inference/LEAST question.

A: No. This is consistent with the author's description of cultural studies in paragraph 2, where the author states that cultural studies transcends traditional boundaries between academic disciplines. It is also consistent with the author's discussion in paragraph 3: "Cultural critics see themselves as 'oppositional,'…to many of the power structures on society at large. They question inequalities within power structures …"

B: No. This examination of gender depictions is consistent with the discussion of gender depictions in paragraph 1's example of cultural studies.

C: Yes. This analysis is not consistent with any description of cultural studies laid out in the passage because it limits its scope to the artist's own life rather than the culture within which he or she created his or her movie.

D: No. This is consistent with paragraph 2's assertion that "Cultural studies involves scrutinizing the cultural phenomenon of a text-for example, Italian opera," as well as with paragraph 4's examples of the types of cultural phenomena, including "mass culture," examined by cultural studies practitioners.

Previous       Next