@gregmat Query in the BigBook Test 2, Section 1, Q20 [attached].
I am confused between choice B and C. B looks good to me but I chose option C as the answer. My explanation for C is: If society doesn’t change attitude then there can’t be ‘dramatic changes’- so that way society’s attitude is a precondition.
Please let me know how to think through this.
Thanks in advance
Here’s why I think B is a better answer choice:
The keyword is ‘absence’. The passage clearly states ‘not the dramatic gains…might have been expected’ and then states the reason which is ‘society remains uncomfortable’. Looking at this, option B is just a rephrasing of these statements, so the evidence is pretty solid.
Here’s why I think C is wrong:
This says that the attitude is a precondition for there being dramatic gains for women. However, as you have rightly pointed out in your explanation, the absence of such an attitude will lead to the dramatic gains being possible, OR, such an attitude is stopping the dramatic gains from taking place. See how option C says the opposite.
Hope this makes you understand!
Cheers and good luck!
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Thank you for the explanation. Could you please elaborate you interpretation of option C, i.e., how it is opposite?
The passage says that the gains are not as significant as expected because of the people’s attitude, right? In other words, gains are not possible because of the attitude.
Option C says that the attitude is a precondition (requirement) for the gains to occur. In other words, the attitude is helping the gains. However, the attitude is actually harmful. Hence, it is the opposite idea.
My interpretation of precondition is- prerequisite. So fixing attitude is the prerequisite to achieve any drastic changes is my interpretation of choice C.
I can’t figure out my mistake. Please let me know if you have another explanation, else maybe I’ll leave it for the time being.
Yes exactly, the attitude would have to be ‘fixed’ for the gains to be dramatic. Option C says that the current attitude is a prerequisite.
Sometimes we just aren’t able to understand a question, so don’t get too hung up on this !
Ya, this is the catch! Thanks a lot!!