CARS CARS Passage Structure and Author's Purpose 3

Question 1

A CARS passage shifts from a descriptive tone in the first half to a prescriptive tone in the second half. What does this tonal shift most likely indicate?

Accepted Answer

The author first establishes the current situation before arguing for how it should change

Answer

A shift from descriptive to prescriptive tone typically signals a passage structure that establishes 'what is' before arguing 'what ought to be.'

Question 2

An author interrupts their argument with a two-sentence acknowledgment that a critic has raised a valid objection. What is the most precise term for this rhetorical move?

Accepted Answer

Concession

Answer

Briefly acknowledging the validity of an opposing criticism before continuing one's own argument is called a concession.

Question 3

In a CARS passage, what does it mean when an author says a concept is 'beyond the scope of this discussion'?

Accepted Answer

The author is intentionally limiting the argument to avoid a complex tangent

Answer

'Beyond the scope' signals that the author is consciously bounding the argument to stay focused on the central claim.

Question 4

If the second paragraph of a CARS passage begins with 'To understand why this matters, consider the following scenario,' what organizational function is the author performing?

Accepted Answer

Using a concrete scenario to make an abstract claim more accessible

Answer

Inviting the reader to 'consider a scenario' is a technique for grounding an abstract concept in a concrete, imaginable case.

Question 5

An author uses passive voice extensively throughout a CARS passage. What effect does this most likely have on the passage's rhetorical stance?

Accepted Answer

It creates a sense of objectivity by de-emphasizing the agent performing actions

Answer

Extensive use of passive voice is a stylistic choice that creates an impersonal, objective tone by removing explicit agents from sentences.

(CARS) Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills Practice Test

(CARS) Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills Practice Test

CARS CARS Passage Structure and Author's Purpose 3