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Difficulty: MediumTranslating Literal Statements to Paraphrases

In the mid-nineteenth century, the establishment of free municipal libraries in American cities was heralded as a major democratic breakthrough. Proponents argued that these institutions would serve as 'people's universities,' providing the working classes with the resources necessary for self-education and civic participation. However, early library boards, dominated by wealthy elites, were deeply concerned with social order. Consequently, they enforced strict rules regarding patron conduct, prohibited the acquisition of popular sensational fiction, and mandated the reading of serious historical and scientific tracts. Rather than simply opening doors to universal knowledge, these libraries were initially structured to cultivate a disciplined, culturally uniform citizenry, reflecting the anxieties of the upper classes during a period of rapid industrialization and immigration.

According to the passage, early municipal libraries were designed to achieve which of the following outcomes?

  1. foster a compliant and culturally homogeneous publicAnswer
  2. B
    provide working-class patrons with unrestricted access to universal knowledge
  3. C
    encourage patrons to write serious historical and scientific tracts
  4. D
    alleviate the economic anxieties of industrial workers and recent immigrants

Answer

foster a compliant and culturally homogeneous public
The correct answer accurately paraphrases the literal statement from the passage. The author states that early libraries were structured to 'cultivate a disciplined, culturally uniform citizenry.' The correct answer directly translates this concept by stating that the libraries were designed to 'foster a compliant and culturally homogeneous public.'

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the target statement in the passage that addresses the design and structure of early municipal libraries.
The passage states that these libraries 'were initially structured to cultivate a disciplined, culturally uniform citizenry.'
This is the core literal statement that explains the initial purpose and design of the libraries.
2
Translate the literal statement 'cultivate a disciplined, culturally uniform citizenry' into an accurate paraphrase.
'Cultivate a disciplined' translates to fostering compliance or discipline, and 'culturally uniform citizenry' translates to a culturally homogeneous public.
An accurate paraphrase must preserve the original meaning of the passage without introducing distortions, shifting cause-and-effect, or misassociating modifiers.

Key Concept

Translating Literal Statements to Paraphrases
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Translating Literal Statements to Paraphrases

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