Q10

[tzyc]

Why is (B) incorrect?
Is it because it kind of explains what the first paragraph is but does not explain its function related to other paragraphs?
I thought there were 3 main art styles so eliminated (A)...

Thank you.

[ohthatpatrick]

In terms of (A), you were correct in thinking that there are 3 art movements discussed in this passage.

Paragraph 1 discusses Revolutionary Realism (i.e. the art sponsored by the Maoist government)

Paragraph 2 discusses Scar Art

Paragraph 3 discusses Native Soil

So while there are three movements overall, (A) is correct in saying that there are only two movements described in subsequent paragraphs (Scar Art in P2 and Native Soil in P3).

With (B), you are correct that it does very little to connect the first paragraph to the others, and any "primary function" type question wants to you to link what they're asking about to the bigger pieces.

However, I would also be very suspicious and ultimately get rid of (B) just based on the extreme word 'inescapable'.

There is plenty of extreme wording in the 1st paragraph: the Maoist government had an "absolutist mind-set", "forbid nonpolitical subjects", "the ONLY reality artists could portray was distorted by political ideology"

But all THIS wording refers to the inescapable constraints of Revolutionary Realism ... not broadly to some completely unavoidable connection between politics and art (Native Soil, as an art movement, is very nonpolitical so it would disprove the claim that all Chinese art is political in nature).

I see the temptation with (B). Try to get yourself ready for these answer choices by asking yourself, "How does paragraph 1 relate to the rest of the passage?"

Line 16-20 is the key transition that connects the first paragraph to the rest of the passage. We should look for an answer choice that does the best job paraphrasing line 16-20, and choice (A) wins by that measure.

Hope this helps.

[BarryM800]

I eliminated (B) because it says "melding," which means combining, to make a whole, to reconcile. But according to the passage, the political ideas and artistic styles are at odds with/against each other - irreconcilable. Is that valid thinking?

[smiller]

I eliminated (B) because it says "melding," which means combining, to make a whole, to reconcile. But according to the passage, the political ideas and artistic styles are at odds with/against each other - irreconcilable. Is that valid thinking?

Melding can imply reconciling, but it can also mean combining in a more forceful or unwanted way. If we focus on "combining" as the definition rather than "reconciling," the first paragraph is indeed describing Mao's attempt to meld political ideas with artistic styles. It's also a matter of perspective. Mao may have viewed this as reconciliation, even if others didn't.

So melding, by itself, isn't the problem with choice (B).