Writing & Language · easy

The student wants to write a sentence that explains the motivation behind the development of counter-monuments. Which c…

The student is researching the evolution of public memorials. The student has compiled the following notes:

* Historically, public monuments were often created by powerful groups to promote a single, heroic narrative of the past.

* The meaning of a monument is not static; it can be reinterpreted or contested as societal values change over time.

* Many recent movements have criticized traditional monuments for excluding the perspectives of marginalized groups or celebrating controversial figures.

* In response to these critiques, some artists and communities have developed “counter-monuments.”

* Counter-monuments often use unconventional forms—such as being temporary, interactive, or decentralized—to encourage critical reflection rather than passive acceptance.

The student wants to write a sentence that explains the motivation behind the development of counter-monuments. Which choice most effectively uses information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: A. In response to criticism that traditional monuments often present a singular and exclusionary historical narrative, counter-monuments have emerged, using unconventional forms to prompt more critical and inclusive engagement with the past.

The goal is to explain the motivation behind counter-monuments using the provided notes.

A. This choice is correct because it synthesizes multiple points to explain the motivation. It identifies the problem with traditional monuments (they present a "singular and exclusionary historical narrative," drawing from the first and third notes) and connects it directly to the emergence and purpose of counter-monuments (they use "unconventional forms" to prompt "critical and inclusive engagement," drawing from the fourth and fifth notes).

B. This choice merely juxtaposes traditional monuments (first note) and counter-monuments (fifth note) without explaining the causal link or motivation. It describes a contrast but doesn't explain · why · counter-monuments were developed in response to traditional ones.

C. This choice focuses only on the critique of traditional monuments (drawing from the second and third notes) but completely omits any mention of counter-monuments.

Therefore, it fails to accomplish the specific goal of explaining their motivation.

D. This choice makes an overly strong and unsupported claim. While it correctly identifies the goal of counter-monuments (fifth note), the assertion that they "prove that traditional monuments have failed" is an extreme conclusion not supported by the notes, which only describe criticism and the emergence of an alternative, not a wholesale failure.

Practice 10 questions free Today’s question of the day

The student wants to write a sentence that explains the motivation behind the development of counter-monuments. Which c…

The student wants to write a sentence that explains the motivation behind the development of counter-monuments. Which choice most effectively uses information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

Answer & explanation

More Writing & Language practice questions