Q26

[goriano]

I understand why (E) is the correct answer choice, but I was curious about (D) as well. In the last paragraph of the passage, the example of the chi wara replica is not considered authentic because it "lacks pegs," but (D) says that the object is exactly the same as the original, suggesting that whatever functions the ceremonial crown served, the replica would possess as well. Am I missing something?

[timmydoeslsat]

I understand why (E) is the correct answer choice, but I was curious about (D) as well. In the last paragraph of the passage, the example of the chi wara replica is not considered authentic because it "lacks pegs," but (D) says that the object is exactly the same as the original, suggesting that whatever functions the ceremonial crown served, the replica would possess as well. Am I missing something?

That is too much of a leap.

It may be identical in terms of looks, but we also have to know that it has to be tied to the form's original function.

We cannot equate looks to function. We do not know the function of this ceremonial crown and whether this replica has the same function in that regard.

[weiring45]

Can somebody explain why (E) is right and (B) is wrong? Thx.

[christine.defenbaugh]

Can somebody explain why (E) is right and (B) is wrong? Thx.

Thanks for posting, weiring45!

For this inference question, we need to garner direct proof in the passage that will support one of the answer choices. To do that, we need to understand exactly what the standard is from the last paragraph. So, back to the passage we go!

This standard is outlined in lines 39-40: " the authenticity of an object is considered by collectors to depend on its function." We get a little more gloss on this concept in line 50, where we find that the newer ritual mask would be considered authentic "for it is tied to the form's original function."

Okay, so this standard is all about the function. Things that are tied to the original function are authentic! If something doesn't serve the same function, then it would not be authentic. And, more importantly for our answer choices, if we don't know what the function of the replica is, then we wouldn't be able to definitively determine whether or not the replica was authentic.

Only one answer choice explicitly lays out the replica's relationship to original function: the altarpiece in (E) is "designed to serve its traditional role". That speaks to function!

None of the other answer choices tell us anything about function, and we can't just assume!

(A) We aren't told anything about the original function of the Greek sculpture, much less whether the Roman copy serves the same function.
(B) We have no idea what the original purpose of the painting was - was it to honor a patron? Explore a new painting technique? Provide a religious connection? Just be transcendent art? Even if we knew that, we have no idea what function it will serve after the assistants are done with it - are they fulfilling the same purpose, or did they co-opt it for their own purposes? Who knows? There's no way to tell if the finished painting is still tied to what it's original function was supposed to be.
(C) Does the print serve the same function as the original painting? We're given no information on either function!
(D) We know all the details are replicated, but is the replica tied to the original function? We don't know!

We can't prove that the other replicas aren't authentic, but we also have no support that they are. With no information given either way about the functions of the originals/replicas, there's simply no way to tell.

Remember, don't add in your own assumptions into the fabric of the answer choice. You must evaluate the answer as it stands!

Let me know if this helps to clear things up a bit!

[weiring45]

Thank you Christine. Your explanation clears things up a lot!