Victory for the ACT Student Text 15e

L ESSON 2 | P AIRED P ASSAGES • 109

FURTHER PRACTICE

PASSAGE IV HUMANITIES: These passages are adapted from essays on the nature of comedy. Passage A Comedy appeals only to the intelligence, for laughter is incompatible with emotion. Depict some fault, however –”‹ϐŽ‹‰ǡ ‹ •—…Š ƒ ™ƒ› ƒ• –‘ ƒ”‘—•‡ •›’ƒ–Š›ǡ fear, or pity, and it is impossible to laugh.  –Š‡ ‘–Š‡” Šƒ†ǡ ƒ ˜‹…‡Ȅ‡˜‡ ‘‡ that is, generally speaking, of an odious ƒ–—”‡Ȅ…ƒ „‡ ƒ†‡ Ž—†‹…”‘—• „› ƒ suitable contrivance. So long as it leaves our emotions unaffected, it is funny. This is not to say that the vice itself is ludicrous but only that the vice, as embodied in a particular character, is ludicrous. The only requirement is that it must not engage our feelings. Passage B Absentmindedness is always comical. Indeed, the deeper the absentmindedness the higher the comedy. Systematic ƒ„•‡–‹†‡†‡••ǡ Ž‹‡ –Šƒ– ‘ˆ ‘ —‹š‘–‡ǡ is the most comical thing imaginable; it is the comic itself, drawn as nearly as possible from its very source. Take any other comic character, however unconscious he may be of what he says or does: he cannot be comical unless there is some aspect of his person of which he is unaware, one side of his nature which he overlooks. On that account alone does he make us laugh. Questions 10–11 ask about Passage A. The author of Passage A implies that laughter: F. is not an emotional reaction. G. counteracts feelings of dread. H. can correct a vice. J. is triggered only by a vice.

The author of Passage A discusses vice primarily in order to: A. advise the reader on how to avoid certain behavior. B. make it clear that comedy does not engage the emotions. Ǥ ’”‘˜‹†‡ ƒ ‡šƒ’Ž‡ –Šƒ– –Š‡ ”‡ƒ†‡” ™‹ŽŽ ϐ‹† ƒ—•‹‰Ǥ D. demonstrate that emotions are more powerful than intelligence.

The Cambridge Edge The remaining passages in this lesson feature a ‹š ‘ˆ “—‡•–‹‘ types, including the ones you learned in Lesson 1 and the compare/contrast questions we just introduced in this lesson. The Cambridge Edge Always make sure you are looking at the correct passage when answering questions about double passages. The test includes headings that will tell you which passage each question refers to.

11.

5

Question 12 asks about Passage B. As used in line 17, deeper means: F. complete. Ǥ…‘’Ž‡šǤ H. courageous. J. futile.

10

12.

15

Question 13 asks about both passages.

Which of the following best describes the logical connection between the views ‡š’”‡••‡† ‹ –Š‡ –™‘ ’ƒ••ƒ‰‡•ǫ Ǥ ƒ••ƒ‰‡ ’”‘˜‹†‡• ‡šƒ’Ž‡• –Šƒ– show that the views of Passage A are incorrect. Ǥ ƒ••ƒ‰‡ ”‡†‡ϐ‹‡• ƒ ‡› –‡” –Šƒ– ‹• used by the author of Passage A. C. The two passages reach the same conclusion based on different evidence. D. The two passages discuss different aspects of the topic.

20

13.

25

10.