Practice Test: Reading Comprehension - 29 | 100 RCs for GMAT PDF Download

In the opening lines of the third para, the author states that his work is intended to appeal to two classes of readers. He then goes on to explain how  his  work  will  do  so.  (E)  captures  this  best  and  is  the  correct answer.
(A)  While  this  is  mentioned  in  the  third  para,  the  author  has  written this  entire  paragraph  just  to  put  forward  this  request.  He  has  a broader agenda.
(B) This is one part of the third paragraph but there are more aspects to that paragraph than just this.
(C) Again, this is only a part of the third para, not that the author does much ‘explaining’ anyway.
(D) This is mentioned in the second paragraph and not in the third.

In the opening lines of the 3rd paragraph, the author clearly states that he  hopes  to  please  the  Anglo-Saxon  scholar  by  faithfully  adhering  to the  original  work  i.e.  he  does  not  make  too  many  changes  to  the original.
(B) states this best and is the correct answer.
(A) While this is mentioned in the first paragraph and may have been one  of  the  factors  the  author  uses  to  please  the  Anglo-Saxon scholars, there is nothing to suggest that this was the only factor.
(C) Same as A.
(D) Opposite. This is how the author intends to please the students of English literature.
(E) This is not mentioned by the author as the reason how he intends to please the Anglo-Saxon scholar.

In the first para, the author questions whether it was proper on the part of some translators to convey the grave and solemn speeches in a light and  airy  manner.

Thus,  these  translators  have  clearly  reduced  the gravity or seriousness of Beowulf’s speeches.
(C) states this best and is the correct answer.
(A) Opposite. The opening lines clearly state that Beowulf has always been considered a great ‘poem’. Even if the lines had stated that Beowulf was an ordinary poem, it would still remain a poem and not become prose.
(B) The passage never states this.
(D) There is nothing in the passage to suggest this. In fact, Beowulf in its  original  form  does  most  likely  appeal  to  Anglo-Saxon scholars.
(E)  The  author  uses  the  terms  ‘bold  and  venturesome’  in  the  last paragraph to refer to his translation of the Beowulf and not to the original Beowulf.