1. Which point about Rousseau is made by both passages?
A. His work greatly influenced French political history.
B. His political ideas were ultimately inconsistent with his philosophy.
C. His writings were directed to an aristocratic audience.
D. He affected the lives of people in other nations.
E. He was essentially a self-centered loner.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Skill: Understanding the content, form, and function of larger sections of text
Explanation for Correct Answer A :
Choice (A) is correct. Passage 1 states that "Rousseau had more effect upon posterity than any other writer or thinker of eighteenth-century France" (lines 1-3). By emphasizing Rousseau's commitment to democracy, the author of Passage 1 implies that this effect was largely political. Passage 2 also regards Rousseau as exerting great influence over French political history. Passage 2 concludes, "If Rousseau did not actually cause the French Revolution, he certainly set it up. His message ushered in a self-indulgent emotionalism that spilled over into political anarchy."
Explanation for Incorrect Answer B :
Choice (B) is incorrect. In neither passage does the author try to show that Rousseau's political ideas and his philosophy were inconsistent. Rather, both passages suggest that Rousseau's political ideas followed from his philosophical views.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer C :
Choice (C) is incorrect. Neither passage suggests that Rousseau actually directed his writings to an aristocratic audience.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer D :
Choice (D) is incorrect. Passage 1 discusses Rousseau's belief in democracy, but does not allude specifically to his political influence. Passage 2 only discusses Rousseau's influence on the French.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer E :
Choice (E) is incorrect. Passage 1 does not comment on Rousseau's personality. Though the author of Passage 2 might well agree that Rousseau was self-centered, that passage does not portray Rousseau as a loner.
