The author uses the term "rhetoric" in line 45 most probably in order to do which one of the following?

avif on July 9, 2020

C vs. D

I don't understand where we see anything about other people not putting ideas into practice. I do see that there is an implied critique of these ideas which is what answer D says. Please explain. Thanks.

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shunhe on July 9, 2020

Hi @avif,

Thanks for the question! So we’re asked here about how the author uses the term “rhetoric” in line 45, so we should look at the lines before and after to get a full context of how that word is used.

We’re told that despite decades of rhetoric from historians of science about needing to unite issues (or getting rid of the dichotomy), the dichotomy has been difficult to set aside. In other words, their “rhetoric” is like their empty words, in that they’re saying they’ll do it, but they don’t actually follow through with action. And this is what (C) tells us, that historians of science haven’t been able to put innovative ideas (about setting aside the dichotomy) into practice. So (C) is the correct answer here.

(D), on the other hand, is wrong because it’s too strongly worded; the passage doesn’t say anything about an “excessive” concern. We’re just told that the approach to form is different, not excessive. And again, we’re asked about how the word “rhetoric” is used, which is in reference to the dichotomy.

Hope this helps! Feel free to ask any other questions that you might have.

avif on July 10, 2020

I hear. Thanks.

shunhe on July 13, 2020

Yup, glad I could help!