Social critic: The operas composed by Bizet and Verdi are nineteenth-century European creations, reflecting the attitudes and values in France and Italy at the end of that century. Several recent studies impugn these operas on the grounds that they reinforce in our society many stereotypes about women. But only a small minority of contemporary North Americans, namely opera lovers, have had any significant exposure to these works.
Summarize Argument
In this question, the author doesn't explicitly state the conclusion, but rather leaves us to find the conclusion that is most strongly implied. The social critic’s statements tell us that these operas reflect nineteenth century French and Italian values, and that some critics have found stereotypes about women in these operas. However, these operas have not had wide exposure in North America. This sets us up for the implied conclusion that, while these operas may promote stereotypical views on women, the limited exposure of these operas means that they have not had a large impact on the spread of these views.
Identify Conclusion
The implied conclusion of this argument is that these operas have had a limited impact in spreading stereotypical views of women in North America.
A
Bizet and Verdi constructed images of women that have significantly influenced contemporary stereotypes.
This answer is not supported by the argument. We know that only a small minority of North Americans have viewed these operas, and we don’t know how pervasive the operas are outside of North America, we cannot conclude that these operas have significantly influenced stereotypes.
B
Nineteenth-century French and Italian images of women are quite different from contemporary North American images of women.
This answer is not supported by the argument. We do not have information that compares 19th century French and Italian images to those of contemporary North America.
C
The operas of Bizet and Verdi have not significantly contributed to stereotypical images of women in contemporary North America.
This conclusion is supported by the argument. Since the operas have had such limited exposure within North America, we can conclude that the impact of the operas on North American views is not significant.
D
Opera is not an important factor shaping social attitudes in contemporary North America.
This answer generalizes far beyond what information we actually have. We know about the lack of significant impact of operas by two specific composers; we cannot make a conclusion about the impact of opera in general.
E
People cannot be influenced by things they are not directly exposed to.
This answer is beyond the scope of our argument. This is a generalization way beyond what the argument discusses; our argument is about a narrow topic, and this answer is a broad generalizing statement.
A
High blood pressure is more harmful than was previously believed.
B
High blood pressure is sometimes exacerbated by intake of more sodium than the body requires.
C
Excess sodium intake over time often destroys the body’s ability to process excess sodium.
D
Every human being has a physiological need for at least some sodium.
E
Any sodium not used by the body will increase blood pressure unless it is excreted.
A
Some good communicators are eccentric.
B
All good communicators are effective teachers.
C
Some lecturers who are not effective teachers are not eccentric.
D
Most lecturers who are good communicators are eccentric.
E
Some noneccentric lecturers are effective teachers but are not good communicators.