Difficulty: Easy

Average Score: 100%

I am still deeply convinced that politics is not an essentially disreputable business; and to the extent that it is, it is only disreputable people who make it so. Politics can tempt one to disreputable practices, and it therefore places high demands on people. But it is simply not true that a politician must lie or intrigue. That is utter nonsense, put about by people who- for whatever reasons- want to discourage others from taking an interest in public affairs.

Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?

Rationale

An opinion is presented and then elaborated upon.

The passage articulates the author's belief that politics is not inherently disreputable and expands on this viewpoint by discussing the temptations and demands placed on politicians. The structure clearly showcases an opinion followed by a detailed explanation, reinforcing the central argument.

A (A generalization is followed by a series of examples.) YOUR ANSWER

This choice mischaracterizes the passage's structure. While the author does make a general claim about politics, it is not followed by examples but rather a discussion that elaborates on the opinion. The absence of specific examples makes this choice inaccurate.

B (An opinion is presented and then elaborated upon.) CORRECT

This statement accurately reflects the organization of the passage. The author begins with a personal belief regarding the nature of politics and then provides a rationale, discussing the complexities and demands of political life, thus effectively elaborating on the initial opinion.

C (An assertion is illustrated by a personal anecdote.) YOUR ANSWER

The passage does not include any personal anecdotes to illustrate its points. Instead, it presents the author's opinion and reasoning without referring to personal experiences, making this choice incorrect.

D (Two prevailing political theories are presented and then compared.) YOUR ANSWER

The passage does not discuss or compare two distinct political theories. It focuses solely on the author's perspective regarding the nature of politics, lacking any comparative analysis, thus rendering this option incorrect.

Conclusion

The passage effectively demonstrates that an opinion is articulated and subsequently elaborated upon, rather than providing examples, anecdotes, or comparisons of theories. The author's conviction about the nature of politics serves as a central theme that is thoughtfully expanded, illustrating the complexities involved in public affairs. This structure enhances the reader's understanding of the author's perspective on political integrity.

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