The play La Finestrina, written and first produced in Italy in the eighteenth century, is now being performed at the central theatre. A reviewer has claimed that the current production is unfaithful to the original production. Yet, in important respects, this claim is inaccurate. After all, the set and costume designs for the current production were based on production notes and sketches from the original. Moreover, although the reviewer accurately observed that the actor who plays Harlequin the clown gives a performance highly reminiscent of the twentieth-century American actor Groucho Marx, it is worth pointing out that many comic performances by Groucho Marx are highly reminiscent of the traditional comic acting style in Italy in the eighteenth century.
In the argument given, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles?
- A. The first is an observation that has been advanced to support a position that the argument opposes; the second provides the information to undermine the force of that observation.
- B. The first is an observation that has been advanced to support a position that the argument opposes; the second introduces a potential objection to the position that the argument defends.
- C. The first is an observation that has been advanced to support a position that the argument opposes; the second is the main conclusion of the argument.
- D. The first is a position that the argument opposes; the second is an intermediate conclusion drawn in order to support the main conclusion of the argument.
- E. The first is a position that the argument opposes; the second provides evidence in support of the position that the argument defends.
Understanding the Passage
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
| “The play La Finestrina, written and first produced in Italy in the eighteenth century, is now being performed at the central theatre.” | What it says: A play from 1700s Italy is currently being performed at a theater today. Visualization: Timeline: 1700s Italy → Original production → 2024 → Current production at central theatre Source: Author’s factual statement |
| “A reviewer has claimed that the current production is unfaithful to the original production.” | What it says: A critic believes the modern version doesn’t match how the play was originally done. Visualization: Reviewer’s view: Original 1700s production (authentic) vs Current production (unfaithful copy) What it does: Presents the opposing viewpoint that the author will challenge Source: Reviewer’s view (reported by author) |
| “Yet, in important respects, this claim is inaccurate.” | What it says: The author disagrees with the reviewer’s assessment about the production being unfaithful. Visualization: Author’s counter-position: Reviewer says “unfaithful” → Author says “inaccurate claim” What it does: States the author’s main position – defending the current production Source: Author’s view |
| “After all, the set and costume designs for the current production were based on production notes and sketches from the original.” | What it says: The visual elements of today’s show used actual documents from the 1700s production as reference. Visualization: Evidence chain: 1700s original notes/sketches → Used as basis → Current set/costume designs What it does: Provides first piece of evidence supporting why the current production IS faithfulS ource: Author’s evidence |
| “Moreover, although the reviewer accurately observed that” | What it says: The author acknowledges the reviewer got something right, but is about to add more context. Visualization: Author’s approach: “Yes, reviewer noticed this correctly, BUT here’s the bigger picture…” What it does: Sets up a concession before providing counter-evidence Source: Author’s transition |
| (Boldface 1) “the actor who plays Harlequin the clown gives a performance highly reminiscent of the twentieth-century American actor Groucho Marx,” | What it says: The current actor playing the clown character performs in a style very similar to Groucho Marx (a 1900s American comedian). Visualization: Performance comparison: Current Harlequin actor’s style = Groucho Marx’s 1900s style What it does: Acknowledges the reviewer’s accurate observation that seems to support unfaithfulness (modern American style vs 1700s Italian) Source: Reviewer’s observation (acknowledged by author) |
| “it is worth pointing out that” | What it says: The author is about to make an important clarifying point. Visualization: Author’s strategy: “Here’s the key insight that changes everything…” What it does: Introduces the crucial counter-argument Source: Author’s transition |
| (Boldface 2) “many comic performances by Groucho Marx are highly reminiscent of the traditional comic acting style in Italy in the eighteenth century.” | What it says: Groucho Marx’s comedy style actually resembled the traditional Italian comedy from the 1700s. Visualization: Style connection: 1700s Italian comedy style → Influenced → Groucho Marx’s style → Resembles → Current Harlequin performance What it does: Provides the key evidence that the seemingly “unfaithful” modern performance is actually faithful to the original tradition Source: Author’s evidence |
Overall Structure
The author is defending a theater production against criticism by showing that apparent unfaithfulness is actually authentic. The logic flows: reviewer claims unfaithfulness → author disagrees → provides evidence of faithfulness → acknowledges seeming unfaithfulness → reveals why that apparent unfaithfulness is actually authentic.
Main Conclusion: The reviewer’s claim that the current production is unfaithful to the original is inaccurate.
Boldface Segments
- Boldface 1: the actor who plays Harlequin the clown gives a performance highly reminiscent of the twentieth-century American actor Groucho Marx
- Boldface 2: many comic performances by Groucho Marx are highly reminiscent of the traditional comic acting style in Italy in the eighteenth century
Boldface Understanding
Boldface 1:
- Function: Acknowledges the reviewer’s accurate observation that appears to support the claim of unfaithfulness
- Direction: Initially seems to oppose the author’s conclusion (supports idea of unfaithfulness), but sets up for the author’s counter-argument
Boldface 2:
- Function: Provides the key evidence that transforms the apparent unfaithfulness into actual faithfulness
- Direction: Supports the author’s conclusion by showing the connection between Marx’s style and original Italian tradition
Structural Classification
Boldface 1:
- Structural Role: Acknowledged counterevidence/concession that initially appears to weaken the author’s position
- Predicted Answer Patterns: “evidence that appears to support the opposing view,” “a concession that seems to undermine the author’s position”
Boldface 2:
- Structural Role: Key supporting evidence that resolves the apparent contradiction and supports the main conclusion
- Predicted Answer Patterns: “evidence that supports the author’s conclusion,” “information that explains why the apparent counterevidence actually supports the author’s view”
Answer Choices Explained
A. The first is an observation that has been advanced to support a position that the argument opposes; the second provides the information to undermine the force of that observation.
“The first is an observation that has been advanced to support a position that the argument opposes” – ✓ CORRECT – The first boldface is the reviewer’s observation about the Marx-like performance, which the reviewer used to support their claim that the production is unfaithful (the position the author opposes) “the second provides the information to undermine the force of that observation” – ✓ CORRECT – The second boldface reveals that Marx’s style actually resembles 18th century Italian comedy, which completely undermines the reviewer’s observation as evidence of unfaithfulness
B. The first is an observation that has been advanced to support a position that the argument opposes; the second introduces a potential objection to the position that the argument defends.
“The first is an observation that has been advanced to support a position that the argument opposes” – ✓ CORRECT – Same reasoning as Choice A “the second introduces a potential objection to the position that the argument defends” – ✗ WRONG – The second boldface doesn’t introduce an objection to the author’s position; it actually supports the author’s position by showing the production is faithful
C. The first is an observation that has been advanced to support a position that the argument opposes; the second is the main conclusion of the argument.
“The first is an observation that has been advanced to support a position that the argument opposes” – ✓ CORRECT – Same reasoning as Choice A “the second is the main conclusion of the argument” – ✗ WRONG – The main conclusion is that the reviewer’s claim is inaccurate, not the statement about Marx’s style resembling Italian tradition
D. The first is a position that the argument opposes; the second is an intermediate conclusion drawn in order to support the main conclusion of the argument.
“The first is a position that the argument opposes” – ✗ WRONG – The first boldface is not a position but an observation/factual claim about the actor’s performance style “the second is an intermediate conclusion drawn in order to support the main conclusion” – ✗ WRONG – While the second does support the main conclusion, it’s presented as factual information, not as a conclusion drawn from other premises
E. The first is a position that the argument opposes; the second provides evidence in support of the position that the argument defends.
“The first is a position that the argument opposes” – ✗ WRONG – Same reasoning as Choice D – the first boldface is an observation, not a position “the second provides evidence in support of the position that the argument defends” – ✓ CORRECT – The second boldface does provide evidence supporting the author’s position that the production is faithful
