Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumAnalyzing Tone and Attitude

The following passage is adapted from an essay on modern lexicography and the evolution of language.

Lexicographers were once viewed as the solemn gatekeepers of language, tasked with defending the lexicon against the unruly rabble of slang and neologisms. Today, this gatekeeping model has largely collapsed under the weight of descriptive linguistics. Modern dictionary editors do not view themselves as arbiters of propriety, but rather as cartographers of usage. Yet, this shift is not without its anxieties. Critics lament that the rapid cataloging of ephemeral internet terms devalues the dictionary, transforming it from a monument of cultural stability into a mere mirror of passing whims. However, to refuse to document these linguistic innovations would be to render the dictionary obsolete���a dusty archive of a dead language rather than a record of a living, breathing one.

In the context of the final sentence, which of the following best describes the author's attitude toward the practice of documenting linguistic innovations?

  1. A
    grudging concession to the critics' concerns about linguistic decay
  2. firm conviction that such documentation is necessary to maintain the dictionary’s utilityAnswer
  3. C
    objective detachment, presenting the facts of language change without taking a side
  4. D
    nostalgia for a time when lexicographers acted as protective gatekeepers

Answer

firm conviction that such documentation is necessary to maintain the dictionary’s utility
The correct answer is supported by the author's strong assertion in the final sentence that failing to document changes would render the dictionary obsolete. This choice of words conveys a firm conviction that such cataloging is essential to keeping the resource relevant and functional as a record of a living language.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the passage to locate the author's discussion in the final sentence.
The final sentence states that refusing to document linguistic innovations would render the dictionary obsolete, making it a dusty archive of a dead language rather than a record of a living, breathing one.
This establishes the exact text under analysis.
2
Examine the author's choice of words and rhetorical framing in that sentence.
The author contrasts a 'dusty archive' with a 'living, breathing' record, showing that failing to document new terms would destroy the dictionary's essential purpose.
Identifying the contrast and strong vocabulary helps determine the author's tone and stance.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the one that matches this tone of active support and necessity.
The choice stating 'firm conviction that such documentation is necessary to maintain the dictionary's utility' directly aligns with the author's warning against obsolescence.
This step selects the option that best reflects the text's strong stance.

Key Concept

Analyzing the author's tone and attitude in a specific part of a passage
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Rate this question

Topics

Analyzing Tone and Attitude

More questions from this topic