SAT 3 R.4

SAT 3 R.4

Questions 31-41 are based on the following passages.

Passage 1 is adapted from Talleyrand et al., Report on Public Instruction. Originally published in 1791. Passage 2 is adapted from Mary Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. Originally published in 1792. Talleyrand was a French diplomat; the Report was a plan for national education. Wollstonecraft, a British novelist and political writer, wrote Vindication in response to Talleyrand.

Lines 1-18

That half the human race is excluded by the other half from any participation in government; that they are native by birth but foreign by law in the very land where they were born; and that they are property-owners yet have no direct influence or representation: are all political phenomena apparently impossible to explain on abstract principle. But on another level of ideas, the question changes and may be easily resolved. The purpose of all these institutions must be the happiness of the greatest number. Everything that leads us farther from this purpose is in error; everything that brings us closer is truth. If the exclusion from public employments decreed against women leads to a greater sum of mutual happiness for the two sexes, then this becomes a law that all Societies have been compelled to acknowledge and sanction

LINES 18-30

Any other ambition would be a reversal of our primary destinies; and it will never be in women’s interest to change the assignment they have received. It seems to us incontestable that our common happiness, above all that of women, requires that they never aspire to the exercise of political rights and functions. Here we must seek their interests in the wishes of nature. Is it not apparent, that their delicate constitutions, their peaceful inclinations, and the many duties of motherhood, set them apart from strenuous habits and onerous duties, and summon them to gentle occupations and the cares of the home?

Lines 30-40

And is it not evident that the great conserving principle of Societies, which makes the division of powers a source of harmony, has been expressed and revealed by nature itself, when it divided the functions of the two sexes in so obviously distinct a manner? This is sufficient; we need not invoke principles that are inapplicable to the question. Let us not make rivals of life’s companions. You must, you truly must allow the persistence of a union that no interest, no rivalry, can possibly undo. Understand that the good of all demands this of you.

Multiple Choice

As used in line 21, “common” most nearly means

• A) average.

• B) shared.

• C) coarse.

• D) similar.

answer explanation

Choice B is the best answer. In lines 21-24, the authors of Passage 1 state society’s “common happiness” is dependent on women never becoming involved in politics. In this context, the authors of Passage 1 are suggesting that all members of society can have a “common,” or shared, happiness. 

Multiple Choice

It can be inferred that the authors of Passage 1 believe that running a household and raising children

• A) are rewarding for men as well as for women.

• B) yield less value for society than do the roles performed by men.

• C) entail very few activities that are difficult or unpleasant.

• D) require skills similar to those needed to run a country or a business.

answer explanation

Choice C is the best answer. In lines 25-30, the authors of Passage 1 state that women should seek “gentle occupations and the cares of unpleasant, or “onerous,” tasks. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the authors of Passage 1 do not suggest that running a household and raising children are rewarding for both sexes, yield less value for society, or require professional or political skills.  

Multiple Choice

Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

• A) Lines 4-6 (“they are... representation”)

• B) Lines 13-17 (“If the... sanction”)

• C) Lines 25-30 (“Is it... home”)

• D) Lines 30-35 (“And... manner”)

answer explanation

Choice C is the best answer. In lines 25-30, the authors of Passage 1 provide evidence that women should run households and raise children because these roles do not require “strenuous habits and onerous duties.” Choices A, B, and D do not provide the best evidence that running a household and raising children entail very few activities that are

Passage 2 lines 40-51

Contending for the rights of woman, my main argument is built on this simple principle, that if she be not prepared by education to become the companion of man, she will stop the progress of knowledge and virtue; for truth must be common to all, or it will be inefficacious with respect to its influence on general practice. And how can woman be expected to co-operate unless she know why she ought to be virtuous? unless freedom strengthen her reason till she comprehend her duty, and see in what manner it is connected with her real good? 

lines 51-60

If children are to be educated to understand the true principle of patriotism, their mother must be a patriot; and the love of mankind, from which an orderly train of virtues spring, can only be produced by considering the moral and civil interest of mankind; but the education and situation of woman, at present, shuts her out from such investigations.... Consider, sir, dispassionately, these

lines 60-71

observations—for a glimpse of this truth seemed to open before you when you observed, “that to see one half of the human race excluded by the other from all participation of government, was a political phenomenon that, according to abstract principles, it was impossible to explain.” If so, on what does your constitution rest? If the abstract rights of man will bear discussion and explanation, those of woman, by a parity of reasoning, will not shrink from the same test: though a different opinion prevails in this country, built on the very arguments which you use to justify the oppression of woman—prescription. 

Lines 72-80

Consider—I address you as a legislator— whether, when men contend for their freedom, and to be allowed to judge for themselves respecting their own happiness, it be not inconsistent and unjust to subjugate women, even though you firmly believe that you are acting in the manner best calculated to promote their happiness? Who made man the exclusive judge, if woman partake with him the gift of reason?

Lines 81-88

In this style, argue tyrants of every denomination, from the weak king to the weak father of a family; they are all eager to crush reason; yet always assert that they usurp its throne only to be useful. Do you not act a similar part, when you force all women, by denying them civil and political rights, to remain immured in their families groping in the dark?

Multiple Choice

According to the author of Passage 2, in order for society to progress, women must

• A) enjoy personal happiness and financial security.

• B) follow all currently prescribed social rules.

• C) replace men as figures of power and authority.

• D) receive an education comparable to that of men.

answer explanation

Choice D is the best answer. In lines 41-46, Wollstonecraft argues that if women do not receive an education “to become the companion of man,” or one that is comparable to men’s education, then society will not progress in “knowledge and virtue.” Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because Wollstonecraft does not suggest that society can progress only if women have happiness and power. 

Multiple Choice

As used in line 50, “reason” most nearly means

• A) motive.

• B) sanity.

• C) intellect.

• D) explanation

answer explanation

should be granted an education comparable to men’s so that truth is “common to all” (lines 41-46). Wollstonecraft states that education will “strengthen [women’s] reason till she comprehend her duty” (lines 49-50). In this context, Wollstonecraft is arguing that education will improve women’s “reason,” or intellect, and allow women to consider their role in society. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because in this context “reason” does not mean motive, sanity, or explanation. 

Multiple Choice

In Passage 2, the author claims that freedoms granted by society’s leaders have

• A) privileged one gender over the other.

• B) resulted in a general reduction in individual virtue.

• C) caused arguments about the nature of happiness.

• D) ensured equality for all people.

answer explanation

Choice A is the best answer. In lines 72-78, Wollstonecraft argues that the laws passed by society’s leaders allow men to “contend for their freedom” but serve to “subjugate women.” In this context, “subjugate” means to control. Wollstonecraft is arguing that society’s leaders grant men freedoms that are denied to women. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because Wollstonecraft does not claim that society’s leaders have granted freedoms that created a general reduction in individual virtue, caused arguments about happiness, or ensured equality for all people. 

Multiple Choice

Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

• A) Lines 41-45 (“Contending... virtue”)

• B) Lines 45-47 (“truth... practice”)

• C) Lines 65-66 (“If so... rest”)

• D) Lines 72-78 (“Consider... happiness”)

answer explanation

Choice D is the best answer. In lines 72-75, Wollstonecraft provides evidence that society’s leaders grant freedoms that privilege men. She argues that while society’s leaders believe they “are acting in the manner best calculated to promote [women’s] happiness,” their decisions don’t allow women to “contend for their freedom.” Choices A, B, and C do not provide the best evidence that society’s leaders grant freedoms that privilege men over women. 

Multiple Choice

In lines 61-65, the author of Passage 2 refers to a statement made in Passage 1 in order to

• A) call into question the qualifications of the authors of Passage 1 regarding gender issues.

• B) dispute the assertion made about women in the first sentence of Passage 1.

• C) develop her argument by highlighting what she sees as flawed reasoning in Passage 1.

• D) validate the concluding declarations made by the authors of Passage 1 about gender roles.

answer explanation

Choice C is the best answer. Wollstonecraft cites the statement made by the authors of Passage 1 that excluding women from political participation is “according to abstract principles . . . impossible to explain” (lines 61-65). Wollstonecraft then states that if the authors of Passage 1 can discuss “the abstract rights of man” they should be able to discuss the abstract rights of women (lines 66-69). In these lines, reasoning presented by the authors of Passage 1. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because Wollstonecraft does not refer to the statement made in Passage 1 to call into question the authors’ own government (sentence one of Passage 1), or validate the authors’ conclusions on gender roles. 

Multiple Choice

Which best describes the overall relationship between Passage 1 and Passage 2?

• A) Passage 2 strongly challenges the point of view in Passage 1.

• B) Passage 2 draws alternative conclusions from the evidence presented in Passage 1.

• C) Passage 2 elaborates on the proposal presented in Passage 1.

• D) Passage 2 restates in different terms the argument presented in Passage 1.

answer explanation

hoice A is the best answer. The authors of Passage 1 argue that while restricting women’s freedoms may be “impossible to explain” (line 7), this restriction is necessary for society’s overall happiness (lines 13-17). Wollstonecraft, however, strongly challenges this argument, asking the authors of Passage 1, “Who made man the exclusive judge” of which freedoms are granted to women, and likening society’s male leaders to tyrants as they deny women their “civil and political rights” and leave them “groping in the dark” (lines 78-88). Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not characterize the overall relationship between Passage 1 and Passage 2. 

Multiple Choice

The authors of both passages would most likely agree with which of the following statements about women in the eighteenth century?

• A) Their natural preferences were the same as those of men.

• B) They needed a good education to be successful in society.

• C) They were just as happy in life as men were.

• D) They generally enjoyed fewer rights than men did.

answer explanation

Choice D is the best answer. The authors of Passage 1 admit that women are “excluded by the other half [men] from any participation in government” (lines 1-2), and Wollstonecraft states that society’s male leaders create laws that deny women “civil and political rights” (line 86). Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the authors of both passages would not agree that women had the same preferences as men, required a good education, or were as happy as men.  

Multiple Choice

How would the authors of Passage 1 most likely respond to the points made in the final paragraph of Passage 2?

• A) Women are not naturally suited for the exercise of civil and political rights.

• B) Men and women possess similar degrees of reasoning ability.

• C) Women do not need to remain confined to their traditional family duties.

• D) The principles of natural law should not be invoked when considering gender roles.

answer explanation

Choice A is the best answer. paragraph of Passage 2 that society’s male leaders are like “tyrants” that deny women “civil and political rights” (lines 81-88). The authors of Passage 1 would most likely argue that allowing women these rights would be “a reversal of [society’s] primary destinies” as society’s leaders should only seek women’s interests as they pertain to the “wishes of nature,” such as women’s role as mothers (lines 18-30). The authors of Passage 1 clarify that “nature” created two sexes for a particular reason, so while men can exercise civil and political rights, women are not naturally suited to these activities (lines 30-36). Choices B and C are incorrect because they are not supported by information in Passage 1. Choice D is incorrect because the authors of Passage 1 do not mention “natural law,” only the “wishes of nature.” 

Poll

How was your break?

• great

• still tired

• ready to be back