Happy to help. You say you are stuck between C and E, so let’s look at each of those choices.
First, the question asks you look at the quotations from Modern Architecture cited in the second paragraph and determine what the passage suggests about these quotations. The quotations explain Wagner’s call for “a new style based on modern technologies and modes of construction†- how modern architecture must incorporate new materials and meet the demands of the present moment. It is helpful to consider these quotations within the context of the greater passage. Indeed, the next paragraph begins: “But the picture was more complex…†suggesting that these quotations are not representative of Wagner’s entire philosophy of modern architecture. The remaining paragraphs go on to discuss how he drew aesthetic inspiration from historical models and was not solely interested in the technology and materials of the present era.
Answer C says that these quotations do not “adequately reflect the complexity of Wagner’s ideas†about modern technology in architecture. Because this answer captures the significance of these quotations within the larger context of the passage, this choice is correct.
Answer E says these quotations provide “an overview of Wagner’s ideas†about the relationship between art and technology. This is not correct. These quotations do not address Wagner’s ideas about art. As the first sentence of the third paragraph suggests: “the picture was more complex.†The third and fourth paragraph go on to explain this “symbiotic relationship†between art and technology that Wagner believed was central to modern architecture. These quotations do not provide an overview, instead they reflect a purely “materialist definition of architecture†that does not reflect the totality of Wagner’s ideas. This answer is incorrect because it misstates the significance of these quotations.
I hope this is helpful. Please respond with any follow up questions.
CeciJanuary 15, 2019
So basically when answering questions like these (i.e. in line .../ in paragraph) I should focus on what that specific paragraph says, and then consider it as a whole in the passage?
RaviFebruary 21, 2019
@Ceci,
Great question.
Yes, that's correct. You want to make sure that the answer choice is in accordance with what's being said in the paragraph in question, and you also want to make sure that it fits into the overall point of the passage well.
Does that make sense? Let us know if you have any other questions!
