.
href="#fb3_img_img_976ea016-ff21-5867-b499-ee45ad3272cd.png" alt="Play"/> 12. Which one of the following most accurately states the main idea of the passage?
A process of elimination reveals the correct answer. Choice (A) is wrong: Though Nishiwaki did protest against his country’s fascist policies during World War II, this fact isn’t the main idea of the passage. Choice (B) is flat-out wrong: Although the first paragraph discusses Nishiwaki’s departure from family and his country’s literary insularity, the word rebelling is too harsh. Choice (C) is also wrong: The passage doesn’t say that he tried to convince his students one way or the other. Choice (D) is wrong: The passage states only that his first book was in English and many others were in Japanese. Correct answer: Choice (E).
13. The author’s attitude toward Nishiwaki’s life and career can be best described as
Choices (B), (D), and (E) are wrong because the passage doesn’t reflect surprise, skepticism, or envy. Choices (A) and (C) remain, but you can eliminate Choice (C): The passage is objective, not admiring, and Nishiwaki’s multilingual ability is a supporting detail to his accomplishments. The correct answer is Choice (A).
14. The primary function of the first paragraph is to
After rereading the first paragraph, you know that in a nutshell it introduces Nishiwaki as one who worked to bridge the literature gap separating Japan from Europe and America. It also summarizes Nishiwaki’s interest in art through college and his early career years afterward. Most importantly, the first paragraph sets the stage for the rest of the essay. Armed with this perspective, only one possible answer remains: Choice (B).
15. Select the sentence in the third paragraph that explains why Nishiwaki stopped writing poetry during World War II.
Like most select-a-sentence questions, look for the correct sentence buried in the passage. Correct answer: “Angered by the Japanese government’s fascist policies, Nishiwaki refused to write poetry during the Second World War.”
16. The passage is primarily concerned with
The key words in this question are primarily concerned with. The passage may suggest some of the points listed, but its primary concern is more explicit. Choice (A) is wrong because the author doesn’t mention the work of other Japanese poets. Choice (B) is wrong because although the avant-garde movement was influential to Nishiwaki’s writing, this point is hardly the primary concern. Choice (C) looks about right, but check the others just in case. Choice (D) is wrong because the author doesn’t mention the benefits of studying foreign literature. Choice (E) is wrong because the passage doesn’t mention changes in Japanese poetic style after the war. Correct answer: Choice (C).
17. According to the passage, which one of the following types of literature did not greatly interest Nishiwaki? Consider each of the three choices separately and select all that apply.
From the first paragraph, you know that Nishiwaki’s real love was English literature. From the second paragraph, you know that Nishiwaki spent his time at Oxford reading Old and Middle English and classical Greek and Latin. However, even though he may have had some interest in Japanese literature, it didn’t greatly interest him as the question states. Only one correct answer: Choice (C).
18. Select the sentence in the second paragraph that explains why Nishiwaki chose to write his first published poems in English.
Though