Q18

[jason.tarre]

Is answer choice E, "National histories are created to further the aspirations to sovereignty and dominance," wrong because the "purveyor's of nationalistic dogma" would never admit to that statement or because something in the text suggests they would not agree with that statement?

[maryadkins]

Good question. What do we know about the purveyors of nationalist dogma?

Well, we're told their definitions of identity are influenced by bias (line 3) and use agendas of the present to interpret the past (lines 7-9). Lines 62-64 gives us more words for their side of the scale: unitary, monolithic, and autonomous.

The language in (E)--"aspiration to sovereignty and dominance"--appears in line 55, where the author is describing what underlies definitions of cultural identity. If the question were asking what the author would agree with, (E) would be a good answer choice.

But we don't have much reason to believe that the nationalist dogma adherents would like (E). The passage tells us that their definitions are motivated by biases and agendas, so they'd be unlikely to posses an awareness of this alternative, underlying motivation that the author spots.

Let me know if this is still unclear...

[soyeonjeon]

Hi,

Where can I find the support for C?
I thought the answer would most likely be B, although I debated between B and D as well.

Help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

[daniel]

Hi,

Where can I find the support for C?
I thought the answer would most likely be B, although I debated between B and D as well.

Help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

I am reviewing this passage today, so I'll take a shot at your question ....

(C) is supported by lines 56-62. Read those lines carefully, with particular attention to the part after the comma at the end of line 60. (C) is essentially a negation of what is expressed in the first half of that sentence (58-60). According to lines 61-62, the "purveyors of nationalist dogma" have made claims that contradict what is stated in 58-60.

(B) is about what imperial cultures should do. If the "purveyors of nationalist dogma" are members of the imperial culture, then (B) is the opposite of what they would claim. On the other hand, if they are members of the colonized culture, the nationalists would "just say no!" to cultural imperialism, arguing that their nation should be independent, with no outside influence from the imperialists.

(D) is the opposite of what the nationalists would claim. The nationalists would argue that the nation's culture should be "pure", and should not contain any elements from outside of its own borders. If we were asked about what the author would agree with, (D) would be correct.

(A) is the opposite of what the nationalists would claim. Nationalists would seek to regain their historical cultures and exclude the elements of imperial culture; being that they see themselves as "unitary, monolithic, or autonomous".

Any comments or corrections would be appreciated.

[maryadkins]

Great explanation! Thanks!