RC Practice Test - 9 - CAT MCQ

Direction: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:
In public Greek life, a man had to make his way at every step through the immediate persuasion of the spoken word. Whether it be addressing an assembly, a law—court or a more restricted body, his oratory would be a public affair rather than under the purview of a quiet committee, without the support of circulated commentary, and with no backcloth of daily reportage to make his own or others' views familiar to his hearers. The oratory's immediate effect was all—important; it would be naive to expect that mere reasonableness or an inherently good case would equate to a satisfactory appeal. Therefore, it was early realized that persuasion was an art, up to a point teachable, and a variety of specific pedagogy was well established in the second half of the fifth century. When the sophists claimed to teach their pupils how to succeed in public life, rhetoric was a large part of what they meant, though, to do them justice, it was not the whole. The contests of Attic tragedy exhibit all the tricks of this trade, as well as the art of the poets; and the private life of the Greeks was lived so much in public that the pervasive rhetorical manner crept in here too.

Skill naturally bred mistrust. If a man of good will had need of expression advanced of mere twaddle, to learn how to expound his contention effectively, the truculent or pugnacious could be taught to dress their case in well—seeming guise. It was a standing charge against the sophists that they ?made the worse appear the better cause,' and it was this immoral lesson which the hero of Aristophanes' Clouds went to learn from, of all people, Socrates. Again, the charge is often made in court that the opponent is an adroit orator and the jury must be circumspect so as not to let him delude them. From the frequency with which this crops up, it is patent that the accusation of cleverness might damage a man. In Greece, juries, of course, were familiar with the style, and would recognize the more evident artifices, but it was worth a litigant's while to get his speech written for him by an expert. Persuasive oratory was certainly one of the pressures that would be effective in an Athenian law—court.

A more insidious danger was the inevitable desire to display this art as an art. It is not easy to define the point at which a legitimate concern with style shades off into preoccupation with manner at the expense of matter, but it is easy to perceive that many Greek writers of the fourth and later centuries passed that danger point. The most influential was Isocrates, who polished for long years his pamphlets, written in the form of speeches, and taught to many pupils the smooth and easy periods he had perfected. This was a style of only limited use in the abrupt vicissitudes of politics. Isocrates took to the written word in compensation for his inadequacy in live oratory; the tough and nervous tones of a Demosthenes were far removed from his, though they, too, were based on study and practice. The exaltation of virtuosity did palpable harm. This was not due mainly to the influence of Isocrates: public display was normal and inevitable for a world which talked and listened far more than it read. The balance was always delicate, between style as a vehicle and style as an end in itself.

We must not try to pinpoint a specific moment when it, once and for all, tipped over; but certainly, as time went on, virtuosity weighed heavier. While Greek freedom lasted, and it mattered what course of action a Greek city decided to take, rhetoric was a necessary preparation for public life, whatever its side effects. When the study became, in the gloomiest sense of the word, academic, only the side effects remained, and they were not such as to encourage depth of thought. It had been a source of strength for Greek civilization that its problems, of all kinds, were thrashed out very much in public. The shallowness which the study of rhetoric might (not must) encourage was the corresponding weakness.

Q. Even though the author states that "persuasive oratory was certainly one of the pressures that would be effective in an Athenian law—court, "  which of the following claims would most weaken the author's assertion that "the accusation of cleverness might damage a man " in Greek court?

Direction: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:
In the heart of the Amazon rainforest, a botanical enigma has piqued the interest of scientists and environmentalists alike. This enigma is the "Devil's Garden," a peculiar patch of land where only one species of tree, Duroia hirsuta, seems to thrive, while all others are conspicuously absent. For years, this anomaly baffled researchers, prompting theories ranging from soil peculiarities to indigenous farming practices. However, recent studies have shed light on a rather astonishing interplay between nature's flora and fauna.
Upon closer examination, scientists discovered that the Duroia hirsuta tree has an unlikely ally: the Myrmelachista schumanni ant. These ants form a mutualistic relationship with the tree, wherein the tree provides nectar from its stems, which is not found in any other species in the area. In return, the ants protect the tree from encroaching plant species by deploying a potent herbicide secreted from their bodies, effectively creating a botanical monoculture around their home.
The discovery of this relationship has profound implications for our understanding of mutualism and its impact on biodiversity. It raises the question of whether human intervention in preserving biodiversity should take into account such complex natural relationships, which can sometimes lead to the dominance of a single species over others in a given area. This phenomenon also highlights the delicate balance ecosystems maintain, which can be easily disrupted by external factors.
The "Devil's Garden" serves as a microcosm of the larger issues facing our planet's biodiversity. As the world grapples with environmental changes and human encroachment, the survival of such unique and intricate ecosystems hangs in the balance. It reminds us that nature's workings are far more complex and interconnected than they appear, and preserving biodiversity requires a deep understanding of these relationships.

Q. What is the primary focus of the passage?

Direction: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:
In the heart of the Amazon rainforest, a botanical enigma has piqued the interest of scientists and environmentalists alike. This enigma is the "Devil's Garden," a peculiar patch of land where only one species of tree, Duroia hirsuta, seems to thrive, while all others are conspicuously absent. For years, this anomaly baffled researchers, prompting theories ranging from soil peculiarities to indigenous farming practices. However, recent studies have shed light on a rather astonishing interplay between nature's flora and fauna.
Upon closer examination, scientists discovered that the Duroia hirsuta tree has an unlikely ally: the Myrmelachista schumanni ant. These ants form a mutualistic relationship with the tree, wherein the tree provides nectar from its stems, which is not found in any other species in the area. In return, the ants protect the tree from encroaching plant species by deploying a potent herbicide secreted from their bodies, effectively creating a botanical monoculture around their home.
The discovery of this relationship has profound implications for our understanding of mutualism and its impact on biodiversity. It raises the question of whether human intervention in preserving biodiversity should take into account such complex natural relationships, which can sometimes lead to the dominance of a single species over others in a given area. This phenomenon also highlights the delicate balance ecosystems maintain, which can be easily disrupted by external factors.
The "Devil's Garden" serves as a microcosm of the larger issues facing our planet's biodiversity. As the world grapples with environmental changes and human encroachment, the survival of such unique and intricate ecosystems hangs in the balance. It reminds us that nature's workings are far more complex and interconnected than they appear, and preserving biodiversity requires a deep understanding of these relationships.

Q. Which of the following statements is NOT supported by the passage?

Direction: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:
In the heart of the Amazon rainforest, a botanical enigma has piqued the interest of scientists and environmentalists alike. This enigma is the "Devil's Garden," a peculiar patch of land where only one species of tree, Duroia hirsuta, seems to thrive, while all others are conspicuously absent. For years, this anomaly baffled researchers, prompting theories ranging from soil peculiarities to indigenous farming practices. However, recent studies have shed light on a rather astonishing interplay between nature's flora and fauna.
Upon closer examination, scientists discovered that the Duroia hirsuta tree has an unlikely ally: the Myrmelachista schumanni ant. These ants form a mutualistic relationship with the tree, wherein the tree provides nectar from its stems, which is not found in any other species in the area. In return, the ants protect the tree from encroaching plant species by deploying a potent herbicide secreted from their bodies, effectively creating a botanical monoculture around their home.
The discovery of this relationship has profound implications for our understanding of mutualism and its impact on biodiversity. It raises the question of whether human intervention in preserving biodiversity should take into account such complex natural relationships, which can sometimes lead to the dominance of a single species over others in a given area. This phenomenon also highlights the delicate balance ecosystems maintain, which can be easily disrupted by external factors.
The "Devil's Garden" serves as a microcosm of the larger issues facing our planet's biodiversity. As the world grapples with environmental changes and human encroachment, the survival of such unique and intricate ecosystems hangs in the balance. It reminds us that nature's workings are far more complex and interconnected than they appear, and preserving biodiversity requires a deep understanding of these relationships.

Q. According to the passage, the discovery of the relationship between the tree and the ants has led scientists to:

Direction: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:
In the heart of the Amazon rainforest, a botanical enigma has piqued the interest of scientists and environmentalists alike. This enigma is the "Devil's Garden," a peculiar patch of land where only one species of tree, Duroia hirsuta, seems to thrive, while all others are conspicuously absent. For years, this anomaly baffled researchers, prompting theories ranging from soil peculiarities to indigenous farming practices. However, recent studies have shed light on a rather astonishing interplay between nature's flora and fauna.
Upon closer examination, scientists discovered that the Duroia hirsuta tree has an unlikely ally: the Myrmelachista schumanni ant. These ants form a mutualistic relationship with the tree, wherein the tree provides nectar from its stems, which is not found in any other species in the area. In return, the ants protect the tree from encroaching plant species by deploying a potent herbicide secreted from their bodies, effectively creating a botanical monoculture around their home.
The discovery of this relationship has profound implications for our understanding of mutualism and its impact on biodiversity. It raises the question of whether human intervention in preserving biodiversity should take into account such complex natural relationships, which can sometimes lead to the dominance of a single species over others in a given area. This phenomenon also highlights the delicate balance ecosystems maintain, which can be easily disrupted by external factors.
The "Devil's Garden" serves as a microcosm of the larger issues facing our planet's biodiversity. As the world grapples with environmental changes and human encroachment, the survival of such unique and intricate ecosystems hangs in the balance. It reminds us that nature's workings are far more complex and interconnected than they appear, and preserving biodiversity requires a deep understanding of these relationships.

Q. The passage suggests that the "Devil's Garden" is significant because:

Direction: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:
The concept of 'utopia' has long captivated human imagination, representing an ideal society where everything functions harmoniously. Coined by Sir Thomas More in his 1516 book 'Utopia', the term has roots in the Greek words 'ou' (not) and 'topos' (place), essentially meaning 'nowhere'. Despite this, the pursuit of utopian visions has significantly influenced political, social, and cultural movements throughout history.
Utopian societies are often characterized by a shared vision of an ideal life, which typically includes equality, justice, and happiness for all. However, the practical realization of these societies has often proven elusive. Historical attempts at creating utopian communities have frequently ended in failure, largely due to the complexity of human nature and the challenges of governance. These experiments, though, have provided valuable insights into the dynamics of social organization and the human yearning for a perfect society.
In literature and thought, utopian concepts have served as both a critique of existing societal flaws and a blueprint for a better world. From Plato's 'Republic' to Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World', these works highlight the tension between the ideal and the real, questioning whether true utopia is attainable or if it's destined to remain an unachievable dream. Moreover, the line between utopia and dystopia is often blurred, as the means to achieve a perfect society can sometimes lead to totalitarianism or an oppressive regime.
Today, the quest for utopia has taken new forms, with technology and innovation playing a central role. The idea of a digital utopia, where technology solves all of humanity's problems, is gaining traction. However, this too is met with skepticism, as concerns about privacy, surveillance, and loss of individuality arise. The enduring appeal of utopia lies not in its attainment, but in its power to inspire progress and motivate societal change.

Q. Which of the following statements best captures the essence of the passage?

Direction: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:
The concept of 'utopia' has long captivated human imagination, representing an ideal society where everything functions harmoniously. Coined by Sir Thomas More in his 1516 book 'Utopia', the term has roots in the Greek words 'ou' (not) and 'topos' (place), essentially meaning 'nowhere'. Despite this, the pursuit of utopian visions has significantly influenced political, social, and cultural movements throughout history.
Utopian societies are often characterized by a shared vision of an ideal life, which typically includes equality, justice, and happiness for all. However, the practical realization of these societies has often proven elusive. Historical attempts at creating utopian communities have frequently ended in failure, largely due to the complexity of human nature and the challenges of governance. These experiments, though, have provided valuable insights into the dynamics of social organization and the human yearning for a perfect society.
In literature and thought, utopian concepts have served as both a critique of existing societal flaws and a blueprint for a better world. From Plato's 'Republic' to Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World', these works highlight the tension between the ideal and the real, questioning whether true utopia is attainable or if it's destined to remain an unachievable dream. Moreover, the line between utopia and dystopia is often blurred, as the means to achieve a perfect society can sometimes lead to totalitarianism or an oppressive regime.
Today, the quest for utopia has taken new forms, with technology and innovation playing a central role. The idea of a digital utopia, where technology solves all of humanity's problems, is gaining traction. However, this too is met with skepticism, as concerns about privacy, surveillance, and loss of individuality arise. The enduring appeal of utopia lies not in its attainment, but in its power to inspire progress and motivate societal change.

Q. Based on the passage, what is a significant reason why attempts at creating utopian communities often fail?

Direction: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:
The concept of 'utopia' has long captivated human imagination, representing an ideal society where everything functions harmoniously. Coined by Sir Thomas More in his 1516 book 'Utopia', the term has roots in the Greek words 'ou' (not) and 'topos' (place), essentially meaning 'nowhere'. Despite this, the pursuit of utopian visions has significantly influenced political, social, and cultural movements throughout history.
Utopian societies are often characterized by a shared vision of an ideal life, which typically includes equality, justice, and happiness for all. However, the practical realization of these societies has often proven elusive. Historical attempts at creating utopian communities have frequently ended in failure, largely due to the complexity of human nature and the challenges of governance. These experiments, though, have provided valuable insights into the dynamics of social organization and the human yearning for a perfect society.
In literature and thought, utopian concepts have served as both a critique of existing societal flaws and a blueprint for a better world. From Plato's 'Republic' to Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World', these works highlight the tension between the ideal and the real, questioning whether true utopia is attainable or if it's destined to remain an unachievable dream. Moreover, the line between utopia and dystopia is often blurred, as the means to achieve a perfect society can sometimes lead to totalitarianism or an oppressive regime.
Today, the quest for utopia has taken new forms, with technology and innovation playing a central role. The idea of a digital utopia, where technology solves all of humanity's problems, is gaining traction. However, this too is met with skepticism, as concerns about privacy, surveillance, and loss of individuality arise. The enduring appeal of utopia lies not in its attainment, but in its power to inspire progress and motivate societal change.

Q. What does the passage imply about the relationship between utopia and dystopia?

Direction: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:
The concept of 'utopia' has long captivated human imagination, representing an ideal society where everything functions harmoniously. Coined by Sir Thomas More in his 1516 book 'Utopia', the term has roots in the Greek words 'ou' (not) and 'topos' (place), essentially meaning 'nowhere'. Despite this, the pursuit of utopian visions has significantly influenced political, social, and cultural movements throughout history.
Utopian societies are often characterized by a shared vision of an ideal life, which typically includes equality, justice, and happiness for all. However, the practical realization of these societies has often proven elusive. Historical attempts at creating utopian communities have frequently ended in failure, largely due to the complexity of human nature and the challenges of governance. These experiments, though, have provided valuable insights into the dynamics of social organization and the human yearning for a perfect society.
In literature and thought, utopian concepts have served as both a critique of existing societal flaws and a blueprint for a better world. From Plato's 'Republic' to Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World', these works highlight the tension between the ideal and the real, questioning whether true utopia is attainable or if it's destined to remain an unachievable dream. Moreover, the line between utopia and dystopia is often blurred, as the means to achieve a perfect society can sometimes lead to totalitarianism or an oppressive regime.
Today, the quest for utopia has taken new forms, with technology and innovation playing a central role. The idea of a digital utopia, where technology solves all of humanity's problems, is gaining traction. However, this too is met with skepticism, as concerns about privacy, surveillance, and loss of individuality arise. The enduring appeal of utopia lies not in its attainment, but in its power to inspire progress and motivate societal change.

Q. According to the passage, how has the quest for utopia evolved in the modern era?

Direction: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:
In a society little dedicated to sustaining relationships, encouraging cooperation and community, recognizing the value of collaboration, or rewarding altruism rather than greed, women have historically defined, defended, and sustained a set of insights, values, and activities which, if never dominant, at least provided a counterweight and an alternative ideal to the anomie, disconnectedness, fragmentation, and commercialization of our culture.
Many of us saw women's experiences and concerns as the source of a sorely needed transformative vision—a profound commitment to the emotional and physical activities, attitudes, and ethical comportment that help people grow and develop, that nurture and empower them, affirming their strengths and helping them cope with their weaknesses, vulnerabilities and life crises.
When America's masculine—dominated, marketplace culture has not openly thwarted women's hopes and dreams, it has often tried to co—opt women's liberation. Thus, while many women have remained faithful to this vision and still struggle valiantly to make it a reality, it has been difficult for millions of others to resist a barrage of messages from corporate America and the media that define mastery and liberation in competitive, marketplace terms. Corporate America and the media have declared that feminism triumphs when women gain the opportunity to compete in what Abraham Lincoln once called the great "race of life. "
Following a classic pattern in which the victims of aggression identify with their aggressors, many prominent advocates within the highly competitive capitalist marketplace have themselves embraced this masculinized corruption. Placing competition above caring, work above love, power above empowerment, and personal wealth above human worth, corporate America has created a late—twentieth—century hybrid—a refashioned feminism that takes traditional American ideas about success and repackages them for the new female contestants in the masculine marketplace.
This hybrid is equal—opportunity feminism—an ideology that abandons transformation to adaptation, promoting male—female equality without questioning the values that define the very identity it seeks. From the equal—opportunity feminism first envisaged in The Feminine Mystique to that promoted today by Working Woman and Savvy magazines, and the dozens of primers that promote the dress—for—success philosophy that often pretends to speak for all of feminism, progress and liberation have been defined in male, market terms. While some equal—opportunity feminists pay lip service to the work of their more care—oriented sisters, claiming that they would support a broad agenda that addresses our caring needs, the overarching mission of many is to help women adapt to the realities of the masculine marketplace. In this environment, the goal of liberation is to be treated as a man's equal in a man's world. We had hoped that by going into the marketplace and taking our posts there as individuals, we would somehow subvert it.
It is, of course, true that a great many professional women are deeply concerned about the fate of personal, political and social life in modern America. They express great disenchantment but nonetheless seem caught in a gilded cage.
Many believed that our femininity would protect us, that the force of our feminism would make us invulnerable to the seductive logic of either patriarchy or capitalism. What we had not counted on was the ability of the marketplace to seduce and beguile the best and the brightest, its capacity to entrap us in its rules and entangle us in its imperatives. A few women have won great wealth and privilege. But, not unlike men in similar positions, many of them are unwilling to jeopardize what they've acquired in order to work for change. Some are so caught up in their own personal sagas that they have forgotten the women who have been left behind.

Q. In the context of the sentence "Following a classic pattern in which the victims of aggression identify with their aggressors, many prominent advocates within the highly competitive capitalist marketplace have themselves embraced this masculinized corruption, " (lines 27—31) the word "aggressors " refers to:

Direction: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:
In a society little dedicated to sustaining relationships, encouraging cooperation and community, recognizing the value of collaboration, or rewarding altruism rather than greed, women have historically defined, defended, and sustained a set of insights, values, and activities which, if never dominant, at least provided a counterweight and an alternative ideal to the anomie, disconnectedness, fragmentation, and commercialization of our culture.
Many of us saw women's experiences and concerns as the source of a sorely needed transformative vision—a profound commitment to the emotional and physical activities, attitudes, and ethical comportment that help people grow and develop, that nurture and empower them, affirming their strengths and helping them cope with their weaknesses, vulnerabilities and life crises.
When America's masculine—dominated, marketplace culture has not openly thwarted women's hopes and dreams, it has often tried to co—opt women's liberation. Thus, while many women have remained faithful to this vision and still struggle valiantly to make it a reality, it has been difficult for millions of others to resist a barrage of messages from corporate America and the media that define mastery and liberation in competitive, marketplace terms. Corporate America and the media have declared that feminism triumphs when women gain the opportunity to compete in what Abraham Lincoln once called the great "race of life. "
Following a classic pattern in which the victims of aggression identify with their aggressors, many prominent advocates within the highly competitive capitalist marketplace have themselves embraced this masculinized corruption. Placing competition above caring, work above love, power above empowerment, and personal wealth above human worth, corporate America has created a late—twentieth—century hybrid—a refashioned feminism that takes traditional American ideas about success and repackages them for the new female contestants in the masculine marketplace.
This hybrid is equal—opportunity feminism—an ideology that abandons transformation to adaptation, promoting male—female equality without questioning the values that define the very identity it seeks. From the equal—opportunity feminism first envisaged in The Feminine Mystique to that promoted today by Working Woman and Savvy magazines, and the dozens of primers that promote the dress—for—success philosophy that often pretends to speak for all of feminism, progress and liberation have been defined in male, market terms. While some equal—opportunity feminists pay lip service to the work of their more care—oriented sisters, claiming that they would support a broad agenda that addresses our caring needs, the overarching mission of many is to help women adapt to the realities of the masculine marketplace. In this environment, the goal of liberation is to be treated as a man's equal in a man's world. We had hoped that by going into the marketplace and taking our posts there as individuals, we would somehow subvert it.
It is, of course, true that a great many professional women are deeply concerned about the fate of personal, political and social life in modern America. They express great disenchantment but nonetheless seem caught in a gilded cage.
Many believed that our femininity would protect us, that the force of our feminism would make us invulnerable to the seductive logic of either patriarchy or capitalism. What we had not counted on was the ability of the marketplace to seduce and beguile the best and the brightest, its capacity to entrap us in its rules and entangle us in its imperatives. A few women have won great wealth and privilege. But, not unlike men in similar positions, many of them are unwilling to jeopardize what they've acquired in order to work for change. Some are so caught up in their own personal sagas that they have forgotten the women who have been left behind.

Q. Suppose an equal—opportunity feminist were to argue that the basic goal of feminism is to eliminate the barriers that keep women from competing with men on an equal basis. The author of the passage would most likely counter this stance by arguing that:

Direction: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:
In a society little dedicated to sustaining relationships, encouraging cooperation and community, recognizing the value of collaboration, or rewarding altruism rather than greed, women have historically defined, defended, and sustained a set of insights, values, and activities which, if never dominant, at least provided a counterweight and an alternative ideal to the anomie, disconnectedness, fragmentation, and commercialization of our culture.
Many of us saw women's experiences and concerns as the source of a sorely needed transformative vision—a profound commitment to the emotional and physical activities, attitudes, and ethical comportment that help people grow and develop, that nurture and empower them, affirming their strengths and helping them cope with their weaknesses, vulnerabilities and life crises.
When America's masculine—dominated, marketplace culture has not openly thwarted women's hopes and dreams, it has often tried to co—opt women's liberation. Thus, while many women have remained faithful to this vision and still struggle valiantly to make it a reality, it has been difficult for millions of others to resist a barrage of messages from corporate America and the media that define mastery and liberation in competitive, marketplace terms. Corporate America and the media have declared that feminism triumphs when women gain the opportunity to compete in what Abraham Lincoln once called the great "race of life. "
Following a classic pattern in which the victims of aggression identify with their aggressors, many prominent advocates within the highly competitive capitalist marketplace have themselves embraced this masculinized corruption. Placing competition above caring, work above love, power above empowerment, and personal wealth above human worth, corporate America has created a late—twentieth—century hybrid—a refashioned feminism that takes traditional American ideas about success and repackages them for the new female contestants in the masculine marketplace.
This hybrid is equal—opportunity feminism—an ideology that abandons transformation to adaptation, promoting male—female equality without questioning the values that define the very identity it seeks. From the equal—opportunity feminism first envisaged in The Feminine Mystique to that promoted today by Working Woman and Savvy magazines, and the dozens of primers that promote the dress—for—success philosophy that often pretends to speak for all of feminism, progress and liberation have been defined in male, market terms. While some equal—opportunity feminists pay lip service to the work of their more care—oriented sisters, claiming that they would support a broad agenda that addresses our caring needs, the overarching mission of many is to help women adapt to the realities of the masculine marketplace. In this environment, the goal of liberation is to be treated as a man's equal in a man's world. We had hoped that by going into the marketplace and taking our posts there as individuals, we would somehow subvert it.
It is, of course, true that a great many professional women are deeply concerned about the fate of personal, political and social life in modern America. They express great disenchantment but nonetheless seem caught in a gilded cage.
Many believed that our femininity would protect us, that the force of our feminism would make us invulnerable to the seductive logic of either patriarchy or capitalism. What we had not counted on was the ability of the marketplace to seduce and beguile the best and the brightest, its capacity to entrap us in its rules and entangle us in its imperatives. A few women have won great wealth and privilege. But, not unlike men in similar positions, many of them are unwilling to jeopardize what they've acquired in order to work for change. Some are so caught up in their own personal sagas that they have forgotten the women who have been left behind.

Q. Adopting the author's views as presented in the passage would most likely mean acknowledging which of the following points?

Direction: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:
In a society little dedicated to sustaining relationships, encouraging cooperation and community, recognizing the value of collaboration, or rewarding altruism rather than greed, women have historically defined, defended, and sustained a set of insights, values, and activities which, if never dominant, at least provided a counterweight and an alternative ideal to the anomie, disconnectedness, fragmentation, and commercialization of our culture.
Many of us saw women's experiences and concerns as the source of a sorely needed transformative vision—a profound commitment to the emotional and physical activities, attitudes, and ethical comportment that help people grow and develop, that nurture and empower them, affirming their strengths and helping them cope with their weaknesses, vulnerabilities and life crises.
When America's masculine—dominated, marketplace culture has not openly thwarted women's hopes and dreams, it has often tried to co—opt women's liberation. Thus, while many women have remained faithful to this vision and still struggle valiantly to make it a reality, it has been difficult for millions of others to resist a barrage of messages from corporate America and the media that define mastery and liberation in competitive, marketplace terms. Corporate America and the media have declared that feminism triumphs when women gain the opportunity to compete in what Abraham Lincoln once called the great "race of life. "
Following a classic pattern in which the victims of aggression identify with their aggressors, many prominent advocates within the highly competitive capitalist marketplace have themselves embraced this masculinized corruption. Placing competition above caring, work above love, power above empowerment, and personal wealth above human worth, corporate America has created a late—twentieth—century hybrid—a refashioned feminism that takes traditional American ideas about success and repackages them for the new female contestants in the masculine marketplace.
This hybrid is equal—opportunity feminism—an ideology that abandons transformation to adaptation, promoting male—female equality without questioning the values that define the very identity it seeks. From the equal—opportunity feminism first envisaged in The Feminine Mystique to that promoted today by Working Woman and Savvy magazines, and the dozens of primers that promote the dress—for—success philosophy that often pretends to speak for all of feminism, progress and liberation have been defined in male, market terms. While some equal—opportunity feminists pay lip service to the work of their more care—oriented sisters, claiming that they would support a broad agenda that addresses our caring needs, the overarching mission of many is to help women adapt to the realities of the masculine marketplace. In this environment, the goal of liberation is to be treated as a man's equal in a man's world. We had hoped that by going into the marketplace and taking our posts there as individuals, we would somehow subvert it.
It is, of course, true that a great many professional women are deeply concerned about the fate of personal, political and social life in modern America. They express great disenchantment but nonetheless seem caught in a gilded cage.
Many believed that our femininity would protect us, that the force of our feminism would make us invulnerable to the seductive logic of either patriarchy or capitalism. What we had not counted on was the ability of the marketplace to seduce and beguile the best and the brightest, its capacity to entrap us in its rules and entangle us in its imperatives. A few women have won great wealth and privilege. But, not unlike men in similar positions, many of them are unwilling to jeopardize what they've acquired in order to work for change. Some are so caught up in their own personal sagas that they have forgotten the women who have been left behind.

Q. Which of the following would the author most readily accept as an explanation of the fact that many professional women do not speak out about the need to care?