Reading Comprehension

The overarching implications of discursive constructivism are realized in every aspect of reality in which language is involved, since language manifests our conceptual framework. Because something is the way it is because we bestow our perceptions onto it via language, examining the philosophy of language proves itself especially important in feminist discourse. Some feminists have advanced the notion of formulating a new reality more congenial to women by which women will liberate themselves from oppressive patriarchal discourses and thrive with their newfound expressive capabilities.

The inherent maleness of language, in light of discursive constructivism, traps women in a hierarchy of patriarchal social relations in which they are delegated to the lower rungs. Language often represents maleness as the norm, obscures the existence and importance of women, and imbeds a male-centric worldview, creating a picture of the world more suited to men than women. The English language, among many others, engages in what Frye calls the absurd practice of GMAT-marking, in which language assigns a critical importance to gender in situations in which it is, in reality, irrelevant, thereby perpetuating the narrative that men and women are somehow irrevocably and fundamentally dissimilar.

The patriarchal nature of language cannot be denied as a general force, yet feminists are not entirely correct to say that the entirety of a language enforces a discriminatory narrative. Although a plethora of specific terms and usages which stifle women's equality exist, certain neutral words are undeniably present which have escaped the male bias which afflicts so much of our semantic reality. It is important to note that the patriarchal structure of society does not grant men complete control over language, despite their immense influence in the creation of dictionaries, grammatical rules and usage guides.

Which of the following best summarizes the contents of the passage?
A. Since many linguistic constructs display no gender bias, the feminist argument that language creates the male-centric structure of our society that traps women in the lower rungs of a patriarchal hierarchy has no merit.
B. Feminists consider language, which, they argue, has a male bias and therefore devalues women, to be of great importance because of language's effect on how we perceive reality, even though this critique, although correct in principle, is unfounded in some cases.
C. The feminist argument that language reflects the patriarchal order of society and therefore relegates women to a lower status has many merits but it is not entirely correct.
D. Discursive constructivism, the concept that language is an active agent in the creation of what we perceive as reality, is of great concern to feminists, but their concerns, while founded, are exaggerated.
E. Language imposes a patriarchal discourse biased against women and constitutes a grave concern to feminists, who, although aware of language as a force which shapes reality, believe it is only male-centric in certain aspects.

A - Incorrect. This answer choice does not fit the tone of the author's argument in the third paragraph. While the author does not think that language always has a patriarchal nature, he tor she still acknowledges that there are many instances that it does. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that the author thinks the feminists' argument has no merit.

B - Correct. This answer choice makes the distinction between the feminists' point of view advanced in the first and second paragraphs (that language, which has a male bias, is important because it creates reality) and the author's opinion expressed in the third paragraph (that there are instances in which language has no male bias).

C - Incorrect. This answer choice incorrectly states that language reflects reality, whereas we know from the first and second sentences of the first paragraph that language creates reality: Because something is the way it is because we bestow our perceptions onto it via language). In other words, reality is what it is due to the mediation of language.

D - Incorrect. This answer choice is too narrow, as it leaves out the information presented in the second paragraph (the reason why discursive constructivism is of great concern to feminists).

E. Incorrect. This answer choice confuses the author's viewpoint with that of the feminists. The feminists mentioned in the passage believe that language is always male-centric and biased, whereas the author believes it is only sometimes so. This answer choice makes it appear that feminists believe that language does not always oppress women.

Nicely Explained.. Thanks a lot..

What level would you say this question was? It was difficult to stay focused.