Q20 - The nature of English literature

[pistachio2014]

Hi for some reason I'm having trouble understanding this question. Could somebody please explain it? Thank you.

[b91302310]

Hi,
This is what I was thinking during answering the qusetion. This is an inference question, so we have to find answers provable by the stimulus. We cannot choose answers with information not supported by the stimulus. So, it's time to check each answer choice.

(A) This one seems fine because we can infer this from the first sentence- The nature...., which "resulted from the dual influence" of the Anglo-Saxon and, later, French language.

So, we know that French language has influenced English language. Als, since the English language also "resulted" from French language, it could be inferred that French language could be an origin of English language.

Furthermore, the English language also influenced English literature (known from "English literature reflects... of the English language.") . We can conclude that French language is one of the factor in shaping English literature.

(B) The argument does not compare the vocabulary pool of Anglo-Saxon language with that of French language. As it could not be proved, it is incorrect.

(C) is similar to (B), the argument does not compare the vocabulary pool of French with that of English. So, it is incorrect.

(D) It is said in the stimulus that French literature is simplicity and clarity. While, English language is with rich vocabulary. However, the argument does not make a conclusion like (D). Also, the argument is specific to the relationship between English language, French langauge and Anglo-Saxon..etc. However, (D) is too broad like a generalization, which is beyond the scope the argument. So, this one is also incorrect.

(E) We have no idea how English literature reacts with French "literature". All we know is that French "language" influenced English literature. So, this one is also incorrect.

Thus, the best available answer should be (A).

Hope this helps and if there is anything wrong, please just correct it.

[aileenann]

This is a great explanation! I fully endorse it and encourage you to keep writing up responses for your own studies

[jacoblukis]

The nature of English literature reflects the rich and diverse vocabulary of the English language, which resulted from the dual influence of the Anglo-Saxon and, later, French languages. I am very interested in world literature essays about English literature. The French language, though, is a direct descendant of Latin, with few traces of the Celtic language spoken by the pre-Roman inhabitants of the area: the hallmark of French literature is its simplicity and clarity.
Which one of the following can be most reasonably inferred from the information above?
A. The origin of English played a role in shaping English literature.
B. The vocabulary of the Anglo-Saxon language was richer than that of the French language.
C. The vocabulary of English is larger than the vocabulary of French.
D. Simple and clear literature cannot be written in a languae with a rich and diverse vocabulary.
E. English literature and French literature have had little infulence on one another.