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Tough inference question ...

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Tough inference question ...

by sui generis » Sat Apr 07, 2012 7:58 am
Couldn't copy the text from the pdf source hence attaching the snapshot.

The author's reference to "various signs and symbols" (line 33) functions primarily to

(A) stress the intricacy and complexity of good literature
(B) grant that a reader must be guided by the text to some degree
(C) imply that no theory alone can fully explain a work of literature
(D) illustrate how a literary work differs from a map
(E) show that an inflexible standard of interpretation provides constant accuracy

OA:B

I am clueless how to get to the answer. Please explain the OA and the underlying logic. THanks
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Source: — Reading Comprehension |
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by Mr Smith » Sat Apr 07, 2012 9:16 am
I think the Answer is B.
The writer (of the RC) begins by agreeing that though the author of literary work includes enough substance to indicate the intended meaning, These pointers might not always be enough to narrow down just one intended meaning as in a Map. A map is an exact communication of the intended information(Location of places and the distance between them etc.) whereas a piece of literary work might convey more than one meaning. (For example, in a piece of poetry, the poet might have particular meaning in mind and he uses descriptions, narrations and figures of speech-'signs and symbols'- in his poem; however the poetry can be interpreted differently by different readers.)

A) Here 'signs and symbols' implies the pointers to the intended meaning and not the intricacies of Literary work
B)is correct Ans
C) This is not talking about theories but the the meaning conveyed by the Literary work.
D) Comparison of the literary work to a map is not the subject of discussion. 'Map' is merely used as a metaphor for something conveying an exact intended meaning.
E) Again 'signs and symbol' refers to the Literary work and not about the theories.
Last edited by Mr Smith on Sat Apr 07, 2012 3:23 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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by sui generis » Sat Apr 07, 2012 10:47 am
Thanks Mr. Smith. I got your point but I am unable to paraphrase your logic ('signs and symbol' are not always be enough to narrow down just one intended meaning as in a Map) to the choice B, which says text guides the reader to some extent in decoding. The context of "text" has not been mentioned anywhere. What closely one can paraphrase is 'something' else too must guide reader to decode. Any idea how "text" came in get here ?

Though, one can get to the answer by elimination of other wrong choices.
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by Mr Smith » Sun Apr 08, 2012 12:31 am
refer to updated reply
Hope it helps
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