Q: The author's characterization of himself suggests that the comment "My image of myself as a rich author includes my rather simple and unpretentious (given the large amounts of money that I will be making, and that everybody knows that I make) house in Cornwall" meant that:
A. he plans on making large amounts of money.
B. he is very serious.
C. he is a humble person.
D. he was being sarcastic.
Relevant passage text:
What I usually have to remind myself of is, in the first place, that I've never actually written a novel, bought any stock, or gone out and tried to sell any of my ceramics pieces. But, writing a novel or a book is something that I've always dreamed of doing. My image of myself as a rich author includes my rather simple and unpretentious (give the large amounts of money that I will be making, and that everybody knows that I make) white clapboard house in Cornwall, Connecticut, next to the covered bridge, where I hobnob in the afternoons with the other Pulitzer Prize-winners about cerebral topics and issues, which only we really understand. I've considered buying stock before. It seems like everybody does it. And makes good money at it, too. How about that Microsoft? All it takes is a little analysis of the stock pages in the newspapers each day. Boring!
I chose answer C. The credited answer is answer "D"
EK's justification:
C. He is a humble person.
WRONG. This is not clear. Though the statement is self-aggrandizing, there is n information for us to say that the author is a humble person. This is not as good as answer D.
D. He was being sarcastic.
CORRECT: This answer, unlike Answer C, refers specifically to the authors comment, rather than make as weeping generalizing about the author himself. Comparing a "rather simple and unpretentious" lifestyle with "large amounts of money" "that everybody knows that I make" is startling (the comparison is incompatible) and can only be construed as sarcasm and self aggrandizing.
My Justification:
I'll be the first one to admit, C is not a strong answer. That being said, I think D is an even worse answer. I don't see the sarcasm, at all. There are lots of people who make large sums of money who live un-assuming lives. Just because you're wealthy doesn't necessitate excessive spending and grandeur.
A. he plans on making large amounts of money.
B. he is very serious.
C. he is a humble person.
D. he was being sarcastic.
Relevant passage text:
What I usually have to remind myself of is, in the first place, that I've never actually written a novel, bought any stock, or gone out and tried to sell any of my ceramics pieces. But, writing a novel or a book is something that I've always dreamed of doing. My image of myself as a rich author includes my rather simple and unpretentious (give the large amounts of money that I will be making, and that everybody knows that I make) white clapboard house in Cornwall, Connecticut, next to the covered bridge, where I hobnob in the afternoons with the other Pulitzer Prize-winners about cerebral topics and issues, which only we really understand. I've considered buying stock before. It seems like everybody does it. And makes good money at it, too. How about that Microsoft? All it takes is a little analysis of the stock pages in the newspapers each day. Boring!
I chose answer C. The credited answer is answer "D"
EK's justification:
C. He is a humble person.
WRONG. This is not clear. Though the statement is self-aggrandizing, there is n information for us to say that the author is a humble person. This is not as good as answer D.
D. He was being sarcastic.
CORRECT: This answer, unlike Answer C, refers specifically to the authors comment, rather than make as weeping generalizing about the author himself. Comparing a "rather simple and unpretentious" lifestyle with "large amounts of money" "that everybody knows that I make" is startling (the comparison is incompatible) and can only be construed as sarcasm and self aggrandizing.
My Justification:
I'll be the first one to admit, C is not a strong answer. That being said, I think D is an even worse answer. I don't see the sarcasm, at all. There are lots of people who make large sums of money who live un-assuming lives. Just because you're wealthy doesn't necessitate excessive spending and grandeur.
