Although in the past the media had been abuzz with rumors that the fam...
Argument Analysis
Pre-Thinking
Let’s look at the relationship between the two boldface portions w.r.t. the conclusion of the argument.
The argument concludes that this year, it is possible that Zu, whose last few films were adaptations of some bestselling Chinese novels, will finally enter the competition.
As shown in the passage analysis, the author reaches the above conclusion by taking in to account the fact presented in BF1 (ref. below):
BF1: many critics dismissed these rumors, citing the signing of this undertaking as the main impediment to his entering the yearly competition.
Thus, BF1 is a fact that is considered by the author while drawing his conclusion.
The author uses BF 1 as a basis for citing the fact mentioned in BF 2 and uses BF 2 to support his/her conclusion. Please consider BF2 below:
BF2: he has signed the required disclosure.
Therefore, both BF1 and BF2 present facts. BF1 is a fact that is considered by author while deriving the conclusion. BF2 is a fact that provides the author’s reasoning for the conclusion and we understand the relevance of the same in supporting the conclusion in the light of BF1.
With this understanding in mind, let’s take a look at the option statements.
Answer Choices
A
The first describes an opinion which the argument as a whole opposes; the second provides a reason for the position that the argument seeks to establish.
Incorrect – 1st part wrong
BF1 is not an opinion; it’s a fact and hence the argument does not oppose it. BF2 does provide a reason for the position that the argument seeks to establish, in other words, the main conclusion of the argument.
B
The first is a fact that is relevant in understanding the importance of the second, which has been used as a reason for the position taken by the author.
Correct
BF1 is a fact that helps to understand the importance of BF2, i.e. signing of the disclosure in predicting that Ben Zu will probably enter the competition this time. Also, as noted in the prethinking, BF2 has been used to support author’s conclusion.
C
The first is a consideration that opposes the position taken by the argument; the second is that position.
Incorrect – Both parts wrong
BF1 can be described as a consideration; however, it doesn’t oppose the main conclusion of the argument.. In the description of BF2, “that position” refers to the position mentioned in the first portion of the choice, i.e. the main conclusion. But BF2 is a reason for the author’s conclusion, not the conclusion itself.
D
The first is a position that is disputed by the argument; the second provides support for that position.
Incorrect – Both parts wrong
BF1 is not a position (opinion); it’s a fact and is hence not disputed by the argument. Also, BF2 provides support for the author’s position, and not for BF1.
E
The first provides support for an intermediate conclusion made in the argument; the second is that conclusion.
Incorrect – Both parts wrong
There is no intermediate conclusion in the argument and hence there is no question of BF1 suporting the same. In the second half of this statement, “that” refers to the conclusion mentioned in the first half. BF2 is not an intermediate conclusion; it is a fact that supports the author’s main conclusion.