Q13 - The Frauenkirche in Dresden

[mshinners]

Question Type:
Explain a Result

Stimulus Breakdown:
Expected: A group that wanted to restore a church to its original state for concerts and events would let an outside group help them with the cost of restoring the organ.
Unexpected: This group replaced the original organ with a modern replacement despite having the resources to restore it.

Answer Anticipation:
While I'm unsure why, exactly, they refused this help, there has to be some reason to go with the modern organ. Either there's a reason they wouldn't want to accept a donation from this person, or a modern version of the organ is better for their needs.

Correct answer:
(A)

Answer choice analysis:
(A) Right off the bat, we get it! Their stated desire is to use the church for services and concerts. If restoring the organ would prevent that, it explains why they'd go with the modern version.

(B) While this does present a difference between the old and new organs, we don't know if these features are desireable.

(C) If anything, this makes it even more curious as to why they wouldn't use the money to restore the organ. They couldn't use it for anything else!

(D) Out of scope. This answer provides no reason for why they couldn't restore it, modifications and all.

(E) This answer doesn't explain, then, why the group wants to go with a more modern take on the organ.

Takeaway/Pattern:
Clearly define what's unexpected so you don't fall for a trap answer! The correct answer has to answer, "Why?"

#officialexplanation

[MinjinC831]

Hello! I ended up selecting answer choice (A) but I deliberated between that and (D). I really focused on the statement that the foundation took "extraordinary care to return the church to its original form" and felt like it was out-of-character for them to incorporate a modern organ, even if it served their needs more. An example that comes to mind is a person using bamboo paper for doors in the traditional Hanok style, even though updating it to other materials like glass would be more suitable for modern needs.

I thought that answer choice (D) could be an attractive choice because it suggests that the foundation figured that the organ had already been updated so many times that the original Baroque design was basically unsalvageable. Also, they might've thought that it was fair game to continue the tradition of updating the organ as it was in the past, therefore they wouldn't really be going against their intention to maintain the integrity of the original design. Am I thinking too much into this? I just want to make sure I don't end up choosing an answer like this in the future.