Question+43-45+(Grace+Chen)

__**Question 43:**__

The question tests the reader's understanding of the meaning of a phrase in the context of the passage. In order to answer correctly, the reader needs to have an understanding of the passage's overall message about women's education as well as looking back to the lines surrounding the specific textual reference. The words "more important" should indicate to the reader that the phrase in question is comparative; a careful reading of the lines above and below the phrase in line 14 will show that the years being described are contrasted with "youth...those days of thoughtless enjoyment" (line 13). The reader must be able to interpret this context correctly to understand the implied contrast and identify the "more important years of life."

Choice (A) is incorrect because instruction is given in youth, which is already discussed in the passage and so cannot be the "more important" years

Choice (B) is incorrect because the passage states that provision should be made for the "more important" years during the period of youthful pleasure, so the two time periods cannot coincide.

Choice (C) is incorrect because child-bearing is not referenced in the passage

Choice (D) is correct because the years of maturity contrasts with and follows the years of youth, as suggested by the text.

Choice (E) is incorrect because the passage does not associate relying on others with age; indeed, it suggests that women should rely less on others for their personal happiness.

__**Question 44:**__

This question asks readers to identify the strategy the author selects to further her argument. The reader must look back to the line reference, especially since the relevant lines are not reproduced in the question. The strategy is explicitly stated in line 20-21, but the reader must look back further in the text to understand what is referred to by "this opinion." The reader should identify, based on lines 15-19, that the author is referring to the opinions of "Rousseau and most of the male writers," who she evidently disagrees with. Finally, the reader should understand the sentence in lines 20-21 clearly enough to name and rephrase the description of her strategy.

Choice (A) is correct because it rephrases the key points of the author's intention, which she state in the first-person in lines 20-21. The answer correctly identifies that her audience is the supporters of Rousseau and she intends to "reason" with them, which is based in their rational intelligence.

Choice (B) is incorrect because the author seeks to "reason" with her audience, which is more conciliatory than directly confrontational. The author is also addressing "supporters" of Rousseau's opinion, not opponents of it.

Choice (C) is incorrect because she makes no concession in her speech. In addition, she characterizes the "supporters of this opinion" who she is addressing as " male writers," not young women.

Choice (D) is incorrect because the author appeals to her audience's (assumed) knowledge of human nature.

Choice (E) is incorrect because her appeal is hedged in "reason" and "knowledge" and makes no reference to love, or lack thereof.

__**Question 45.**__ This question is similar to the one preceding it in that it asks the reader to identify the author's use of a rhetorical strategy to strengthen her argument. The reader must recognize the structure of paragraph 3, which is largely questions and answers. The reader needs to pick up on the tone of these questions to grasp their purpose; the questions are phrased in a biased way that reveals what the author's opinion is. To answer this question correctly, the reader must combine their understanding of the structure and tone of the passage to determine the strategy used.

Choice (A) is incorrect because the questions she poses challenges the assumptions of her opponents. The author wants to change their thinking, not recognize what they already think

Choice (B) is incorrect because the author states she will "reason" with the audience, rather than appealing to emotion. She also justifies her responses in "rational" logic rather than feeling.

Choice (C) is incorrect because the author does answer, or at least suggest plausible answers, for her questions.

Choice (D) is incorrect because the author makes answers that are hedged in logical appeals and are reasonably justified. She also does not want to make intentionally illogical response that undermines her arguments.

Choice (E) is correct because the author answers the questions in a way that reinforces her own points. She uses language to suggest that her answers are the only logical ones, and implicitly mock the possible responses of her opponents. Finally, she slips into first-person briefly, addressing herself as "me," which further indicates that the answers are from her point of view rather than an objective speaker.