PF CR 101
Critical Reading 101!
Passage Strategy: 2-Track Mind! Prerequisite: None
Course Description
In this micro-course, we’ll practice implementing the 2-Track Mind strategy for Critical Reading passages, concentrating on identifying big ideas early in a passage to make it easier to stay focused on what’s important throughout the passage. We’ll also practice answering questions that relate to these big ideas. !
CR 101
2
The 2-Track Mind
The 2-Track Mind! ! Whenever you read, there are 2 parts of your brain at work:! 1. The part of your brain that reads the words on the page! 2. The part of your brain that thinks about other stuff!
SENTENCE LEVEL! ! • What is this about?! • How does this advance the main idea?!
PARAGRAPH LEVEL!
PASSAGE LEVEL!
• What is the main idea?!
• What is the author’s point?!
• How does this fit into the overall structure of the passage?!
• What is the tone of the passage?! !
• Any new ideas introduced?!
CR 101
3
Review Questions This passage introduces the recent concept of green roofs as a solution to combat global warming
As evidence that human activity is responsible for climate change grows stronger, many ecological innovators are developing new approaches to the finding renewable, clean energy sources. Recently, the concept 5 of green roofs – plant-filled roof top gardens – has been receiving widespread attention as one substantial way to confront the country’s energy problems. The benefits of green roofs are manifold. A green roof acts as a sponge for rainwater, absorbing the 10 majority of water from a typical rainstorm; the roof only requires three to five inches of soil to achieve this level of water absorption, which also helps minimize the weight of the roof. Because the soil absorbs rainwater, drainage and sewage systems have a decreased volume 15 of water pumping through them, keeping these systems from becoming overburdened. The soil and plants also help improve air quality, taking in carbon for nourishment and emitting clean oxygen back into the atmosphere. CR 101
20
25
30
35
40
In addition to absorbing rainwater and pollutants, green roofs also provide excellent insulation. Most traditional roofing products do a poor or moderate job with both interior and exterior temperature control. Green roofs, on the other hand, have been proven very effective at protecting buildings from extreme outdoor temperatures. During a hot summer day, the temperature of a vegetated roof can be markedly lower than the outdoor air temperature, often between 25° and 30° cooler. By the same token, a green roof serves as a great insulator for keeping the heat inside the structure during the cooler months. As a bonus, green roofs also operate as noise insulators, muffling outdoor traffic and construction sounds. A well-designed green roof also adds to the aesthetic appeal of any building. Many visually stunning plants thrive in rooftop gardens. During the growing season, birds and butterflies will frequent, and sometimes even build nests in, these roof parks. In office buildings, green roofs are nearly always accessible, partly for maintenance purposes, but also to allow employees 4
Review Questions
45
50
55
60
a quiet place to relax and commune with nature. In today’s world of pavement and concrete, these roofs quickly become a welcome respite from the normal workday. One criticism of green roofs is the additional cost of installation. Not surprisingly, the process of installing a green roof is highly specialized, including its support structure, drainage material, moisture barrier and finally, the cost for soil and plant material. Since green roofs require a contractor who understands both construction and landscape design, finding an appropriate installer may be costly. Renovating an existing building to incorporate a green roof is generally much more expensive than designing a new building to include a green roof. Even considering all of these expenses, however, most proponents of green roof construction are convinced that the savings on energy costs over the lifespan of a green roof more than make up for the initial investment. A properly installed green roof is likely to last 10 to 20 years longer than a traditional slate or CR 101
shingled roof, primarily because the plant barrier blocks harmful UV rays from penetrating the roof’s internal structures. Contractors and property owners who invest 65 in green buildings may also be eligible for tax credits, bringing the overall net cost of the green roofs down even further.
5
Review Questions The author’s main point in the passage is that (A) green roofs are expensive to install and maintain (B) green roofs are both innovative and eco-friendly (C) fears about global warming concerns have inspired new innovations. (D) plant-filled roof gardens emit oxygen into the atmosphere (E) green roofs are the definitive cure for global warming
CR 101
6
Review Questions In the second paragraph, the discussion of the absorption capabilities of green roofs is primarily intended to illustrate (A) a preoccupation with style over practicality in the design of green roofs (B) potential hazards involved in installing green roofs (C) one of the tangible benefits of green roofs (D) the increased public support for environmentally friendly building materials (E) the process by which green roofs aid in heating and cooling buildings
CR 101
7
Review Questions In lines 34-41, the author references the aesthetic qualities of green roofing primarily to illustrate (A) the contrast between traditional and modern construction (B) a solution to the problem of visual appeal (C) how the advantages of green roofing outweigh its shortcomings (D) how those who analyze the importance of appearance overlook the beauty of a natural structure (E) yet another benefit of installing a green roof in any home or building
CR 101
8
Review Questions In lines 60-68, the comparison of a green roof to a traditional roof is intended to (A) reign in unchecked praise of green roofs (B) emphasize the durability of green roofs (C) reiterate a generally accepted view of construction methods (D) reassess the importance of the shift toward green building practices (E) provide a detailed description of the harmful effects of UV rays on a building’s infrastructure
CR 101
9
Review Questions This passage discusses the revisionist theory of the origins and outcomes of the French Revolution.
Edmund Burke first attacked the French Revolution in 1790 with his work the Reflections on the Revolution in France. In his writing, Burke sharply criticized those who claimed that the French Revolution was a necessity. 5 Thomas Paine’s famous work The Rights of Man was written in reply to Burke’s analysis. The Rights of Man was both enormously influential and exceedingly popular in the English working class movements. However, Paine’s work angered the ruling class, and 10 Paine was forced to flee England to France in order to avoid arrest. Until recently, the French Revolution was considered a bourgeois revolution, driven by class conflict, that destroyed the vestigial remnants of feudalism and paved 15 the way for capitalism in France. This narrative is rooted in traditional Marxist interpretations of the social, economic, and political forces at play in France and the rest of Europe in 18th and 19th centuries. Revisionist historians are now challenging this orthodox view of CR 101
20 events.
25
30
35
40
Revisionists argue that the French Revolution cannot be seen as a bourgeois revolution that completely terminated feudal political structures. The revisionist theory maintains that class struggle played only a small role in the French Revolution and that the revolt had little or nothing to do with capitalism. The revisionist scholars also argue that the bourgeoisie made up the elite class in society. The bourgeoisie consisted of landowning gentry who tended to agree with each other on political and social issues. Revisionists argue that the elite were generally in favor of the reforms that the common people were demanding, and therefore political reform would have been possible without a violent revolution. While revisionists argue that the French Revolution had little or no correlation to the development of capitalism, critics of the revisionist theory counter that revisionists ignore the tremendous social and economic changes that had been occurring prior to the Revolution. These critics also point out that the significant economic 10
Review Questions
45
50
55
60
changes did not occur in isolation. The new economic order required new relations between classes, a new social hierarchy, and a broader view of the world. Critics of revisionism also argue that while the French Revolution did not create capitalism, the power struggles and structure of pre-revolutionary France were not conducive to capitalism. They argue that it was the elite’s resistance to this new order that caused the Revolution. Revisionists maintain that the French Revolution completed a process of centralization and reconstruction for France that was already materializing prior to the Revolution. They speculate that the process of modernization and reconstruction could have occurred without the violence and upheaval of a revolution. Revisionists argue that some among the French ruling class were already pushing for the same reforms that the Revolution ultimately achieved. Critics have responded to this claim by pointing out that the most famous of these reforms was introduced in 1776 when French aristocrat and economist, A.R. J. Turgot proposed to CR 101
increase trade, abolish guilds, and reform the tax system. The privileged elite were not supportive of these measures and blocked Turgot’s efforts. Critics of 65 revisionist theory use Turgot’s failure as evidence that the revolution was actually necessary to effectuate change in France.
11
Review Questions Which one of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage? (A) Revisionist theory asserts that the French Revolution led directly to the emergence of capitalism in France. (B) The French Revolution was merely a bourgeois revolution driven by discontent. (C) Both the French elite and the French monarchy supported the changes brought about by the French Revolution. (D) The works of Edmund Burke and Thomas Paine influenced the direction that the struggles of the working class ultimately took in France. (E) Revisionist historians argue that many of the changes traditionally attributed to the French Revolution were already underway prior to the conflict.
CR 101
12
Review Questions Which one of the following best describes the organization of the third paragraph (lines 21-34)? (A) a hypothesis followed by support for that hypothesis (B) general statements followed by details (C) a description of a debate followed by the resolution of the debate (D) a presentation of a dilemma followed by evidence to support one course of action (E) a statement of a position, followed by further evidence to support the position.
CR 101
13
Review Questions It can be inferred from the passage that the revisionists (A) never accept Marxist interpretations of historical events (B) do not support the traditional interpretation of the French Revolution (C) favor a decentralized system of government over a strongly centralized system (D) think that the French monarchy was actually a strong supporter of the Revolution (E) have betrayed their Marxist roots for a more enlightened view of history
CR 101
14
Review Questions According to the passage, which one of the following statements is most consistent with the view held by revisionists? (A) Marxism is a failed ideology. (B) Violence is never justified in the pursuit of equality. (C) Non-violence is the most effective means of achieving social reform. (D) There were causes of the French Revolution that cannot be adequately explained by a classical Marxist construction. (E) There was no genuine desire among the working class to promote capitalism during the French Revolution.
CR 101
15
Review Questions This passage discusses the contributions of New Criticism to the interpretation of writing.
Traditional critical scholarship has considered a literary work the product of one focused mind, along with its social influences, struggling to achieve selfexpression. In such a context, the author’s intended 5 meaning, especially as it may be inferred by the circumstances surrounding his life and the work, is extremely important: the author’s intention should be taken as the gold standard in determining what constitutes an accurate and valid reading of the text. A 10 natural outgrowth of measuring the validity of readings by this standard is the rejection of those readings that do not fit what the author intended, or what the surrounding culture expected the author to intend. In the early twentieth century however, a new critical 15 perspective came into being, one that attempted to dethrone the author as the sole measure of the work. In various branches, such as New Criticism or the works of Jacques Derrida or Roland Barthes, this critical trend sought to focus on the dense network of possibilities CR 101
20 inherent in any written expression. Words have meaning,
but more importantly, they have meanings; we must pay close attention to the manner in which they are used, and also the manner in which they slip out of the author’s grasp and avoid being used in a limited way. By 25 carefully analyzing short passages, and interpreting them freely, New Critics revealed ways in which a text’s language could convey subtler messages that might call into question, or even outright conflict with, the generally accepted message of the work. 30 While this critical posture may seem disconnected from the everyday experience of the writer attempting to communicate, and can be taken to ridiculous extremes, a moderate version of the point is well worthy of consideration. As Barthes would urge us, the death of the 35 author means the birth of the reader, as the reading public becomes free to think more broadly than is permitted by the narrow intended message, and to create its own meanings within texts.
16
Review Questions The author’s goal for writing the passage is to (A) present the two opposing viewpoints of Jacques Derrida and Roland Barthes (B) refute the philosophy of the New Critics (C) describe the process of writing a literary work (D) advocate a compromise between the traditional critical scholarship and their modern counterparts (E) promote the sole acceptance of the traditional critical scholarship regarding the interpretation of literary works
CR 101
17
Review Questions The reference to Roland Barthes’ concept that “the death of the author means the birth of the reader” (lines 34-35) supports the author’s assertion that (A) an author’s intended meaning can often border on the ridiculous (B) an author’s work is meaningless outside of the context of the reader’s own experiences (C) the reader should have license to go beyond the author’s intent when interpreting a text (D) the process of interpreting literature is analogous to the cycle of life (E) the perspectives of the New Critics primarily enrich the reader’s ability to understand existential writers
CR 101
18
Review Questions The members of the traditional critical scholarship and the New Criticism would most likely agree on which point? (A) The best way to interpret the intended message of a literary work is to ask the author. (B) Understanding the intended message of a literary work is a valuable component of scholarly analysis. (C) The literary works of the eighteenth century were easier to interpret than the twentieth century. (D) The intended message of a literary work is open to many interpretations. (E) The works of Roland Barthes are easier to interpret than those of earlier scholars.
CR 101
19
Passage Strategy: 2-Track Mind! Prerequisite: None
Course Description
In this micro-course, we’ll practice implementing the 2-Track Mind strategy for Critical Reading passages, concentrating on identifying big ideas early in a passage to make it easier to stay focused on what’s important throughout the passage. We’ll also practice answering questions that relate to these big ideas. !
CR 101
2
The 2-Track Mind
The 2-Track Mind! ! Whenever you read, there are 2 parts of your brain at work:! 1. The part of your brain that reads the words on the page! 2. The part of your brain that thinks about other stuff!
SENTENCE LEVEL! ! • What is this about?! • How does this advance the main idea?!
PARAGRAPH LEVEL!
PASSAGE LEVEL!
• What is the main idea?!
• What is the author’s point?!
• How does this fit into the overall structure of the passage?!
• What is the tone of the passage?! !
• Any new ideas introduced?!
CR 101
3
Review Questions This passage introduces the recent concept of green roofs as a solution to combat global warming
As evidence that human activity is responsible for climate change grows stronger, many ecological innovators are developing new approaches to the finding renewable, clean energy sources. Recently, the concept 5 of green roofs – plant-filled roof top gardens – has been receiving widespread attention as one substantial way to confront the country’s energy problems. The benefits of green roofs are manifold. A green roof acts as a sponge for rainwater, absorbing the 10 majority of water from a typical rainstorm; the roof only requires three to five inches of soil to achieve this level of water absorption, which also helps minimize the weight of the roof. Because the soil absorbs rainwater, drainage and sewage systems have a decreased volume 15 of water pumping through them, keeping these systems from becoming overburdened. The soil and plants also help improve air quality, taking in carbon for nourishment and emitting clean oxygen back into the atmosphere. CR 101
20
25
30
35
40
In addition to absorbing rainwater and pollutants, green roofs also provide excellent insulation. Most traditional roofing products do a poor or moderate job with both interior and exterior temperature control. Green roofs, on the other hand, have been proven very effective at protecting buildings from extreme outdoor temperatures. During a hot summer day, the temperature of a vegetated roof can be markedly lower than the outdoor air temperature, often between 25° and 30° cooler. By the same token, a green roof serves as a great insulator for keeping the heat inside the structure during the cooler months. As a bonus, green roofs also operate as noise insulators, muffling outdoor traffic and construction sounds. A well-designed green roof also adds to the aesthetic appeal of any building. Many visually stunning plants thrive in rooftop gardens. During the growing season, birds and butterflies will frequent, and sometimes even build nests in, these roof parks. In office buildings, green roofs are nearly always accessible, partly for maintenance purposes, but also to allow employees 4
Review Questions
45
50
55
60
a quiet place to relax and commune with nature. In today’s world of pavement and concrete, these roofs quickly become a welcome respite from the normal workday. One criticism of green roofs is the additional cost of installation. Not surprisingly, the process of installing a green roof is highly specialized, including its support structure, drainage material, moisture barrier and finally, the cost for soil and plant material. Since green roofs require a contractor who understands both construction and landscape design, finding an appropriate installer may be costly. Renovating an existing building to incorporate a green roof is generally much more expensive than designing a new building to include a green roof. Even considering all of these expenses, however, most proponents of green roof construction are convinced that the savings on energy costs over the lifespan of a green roof more than make up for the initial investment. A properly installed green roof is likely to last 10 to 20 years longer than a traditional slate or CR 101
shingled roof, primarily because the plant barrier blocks harmful UV rays from penetrating the roof’s internal structures. Contractors and property owners who invest 65 in green buildings may also be eligible for tax credits, bringing the overall net cost of the green roofs down even further.
5
Review Questions The author’s main point in the passage is that (A) green roofs are expensive to install and maintain (B) green roofs are both innovative and eco-friendly (C) fears about global warming concerns have inspired new innovations. (D) plant-filled roof gardens emit oxygen into the atmosphere (E) green roofs are the definitive cure for global warming
CR 101
6
Review Questions In the second paragraph, the discussion of the absorption capabilities of green roofs is primarily intended to illustrate (A) a preoccupation with style over practicality in the design of green roofs (B) potential hazards involved in installing green roofs (C) one of the tangible benefits of green roofs (D) the increased public support for environmentally friendly building materials (E) the process by which green roofs aid in heating and cooling buildings
CR 101
7
Review Questions In lines 34-41, the author references the aesthetic qualities of green roofing primarily to illustrate (A) the contrast between traditional and modern construction (B) a solution to the problem of visual appeal (C) how the advantages of green roofing outweigh its shortcomings (D) how those who analyze the importance of appearance overlook the beauty of a natural structure (E) yet another benefit of installing a green roof in any home or building
CR 101
8
Review Questions In lines 60-68, the comparison of a green roof to a traditional roof is intended to (A) reign in unchecked praise of green roofs (B) emphasize the durability of green roofs (C) reiterate a generally accepted view of construction methods (D) reassess the importance of the shift toward green building practices (E) provide a detailed description of the harmful effects of UV rays on a building’s infrastructure
CR 101
9
Review Questions This passage discusses the revisionist theory of the origins and outcomes of the French Revolution.
Edmund Burke first attacked the French Revolution in 1790 with his work the Reflections on the Revolution in France. In his writing, Burke sharply criticized those who claimed that the French Revolution was a necessity. 5 Thomas Paine’s famous work The Rights of Man was written in reply to Burke’s analysis. The Rights of Man was both enormously influential and exceedingly popular in the English working class movements. However, Paine’s work angered the ruling class, and 10 Paine was forced to flee England to France in order to avoid arrest. Until recently, the French Revolution was considered a bourgeois revolution, driven by class conflict, that destroyed the vestigial remnants of feudalism and paved 15 the way for capitalism in France. This narrative is rooted in traditional Marxist interpretations of the social, economic, and political forces at play in France and the rest of Europe in 18th and 19th centuries. Revisionist historians are now challenging this orthodox view of CR 101
20 events.
25
30
35
40
Revisionists argue that the French Revolution cannot be seen as a bourgeois revolution that completely terminated feudal political structures. The revisionist theory maintains that class struggle played only a small role in the French Revolution and that the revolt had little or nothing to do with capitalism. The revisionist scholars also argue that the bourgeoisie made up the elite class in society. The bourgeoisie consisted of landowning gentry who tended to agree with each other on political and social issues. Revisionists argue that the elite were generally in favor of the reforms that the common people were demanding, and therefore political reform would have been possible without a violent revolution. While revisionists argue that the French Revolution had little or no correlation to the development of capitalism, critics of the revisionist theory counter that revisionists ignore the tremendous social and economic changes that had been occurring prior to the Revolution. These critics also point out that the significant economic 10
Review Questions
45
50
55
60
changes did not occur in isolation. The new economic order required new relations between classes, a new social hierarchy, and a broader view of the world. Critics of revisionism also argue that while the French Revolution did not create capitalism, the power struggles and structure of pre-revolutionary France were not conducive to capitalism. They argue that it was the elite’s resistance to this new order that caused the Revolution. Revisionists maintain that the French Revolution completed a process of centralization and reconstruction for France that was already materializing prior to the Revolution. They speculate that the process of modernization and reconstruction could have occurred without the violence and upheaval of a revolution. Revisionists argue that some among the French ruling class were already pushing for the same reforms that the Revolution ultimately achieved. Critics have responded to this claim by pointing out that the most famous of these reforms was introduced in 1776 when French aristocrat and economist, A.R. J. Turgot proposed to CR 101
increase trade, abolish guilds, and reform the tax system. The privileged elite were not supportive of these measures and blocked Turgot’s efforts. Critics of 65 revisionist theory use Turgot’s failure as evidence that the revolution was actually necessary to effectuate change in France.
11
Review Questions Which one of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage? (A) Revisionist theory asserts that the French Revolution led directly to the emergence of capitalism in France. (B) The French Revolution was merely a bourgeois revolution driven by discontent. (C) Both the French elite and the French monarchy supported the changes brought about by the French Revolution. (D) The works of Edmund Burke and Thomas Paine influenced the direction that the struggles of the working class ultimately took in France. (E) Revisionist historians argue that many of the changes traditionally attributed to the French Revolution were already underway prior to the conflict.
CR 101
12
Review Questions Which one of the following best describes the organization of the third paragraph (lines 21-34)? (A) a hypothesis followed by support for that hypothesis (B) general statements followed by details (C) a description of a debate followed by the resolution of the debate (D) a presentation of a dilemma followed by evidence to support one course of action (E) a statement of a position, followed by further evidence to support the position.
CR 101
13
Review Questions It can be inferred from the passage that the revisionists (A) never accept Marxist interpretations of historical events (B) do not support the traditional interpretation of the French Revolution (C) favor a decentralized system of government over a strongly centralized system (D) think that the French monarchy was actually a strong supporter of the Revolution (E) have betrayed their Marxist roots for a more enlightened view of history
CR 101
14
Review Questions According to the passage, which one of the following statements is most consistent with the view held by revisionists? (A) Marxism is a failed ideology. (B) Violence is never justified in the pursuit of equality. (C) Non-violence is the most effective means of achieving social reform. (D) There were causes of the French Revolution that cannot be adequately explained by a classical Marxist construction. (E) There was no genuine desire among the working class to promote capitalism during the French Revolution.
CR 101
15
Review Questions This passage discusses the contributions of New Criticism to the interpretation of writing.
Traditional critical scholarship has considered a literary work the product of one focused mind, along with its social influences, struggling to achieve selfexpression. In such a context, the author’s intended 5 meaning, especially as it may be inferred by the circumstances surrounding his life and the work, is extremely important: the author’s intention should be taken as the gold standard in determining what constitutes an accurate and valid reading of the text. A 10 natural outgrowth of measuring the validity of readings by this standard is the rejection of those readings that do not fit what the author intended, or what the surrounding culture expected the author to intend. In the early twentieth century however, a new critical 15 perspective came into being, one that attempted to dethrone the author as the sole measure of the work. In various branches, such as New Criticism or the works of Jacques Derrida or Roland Barthes, this critical trend sought to focus on the dense network of possibilities CR 101
20 inherent in any written expression. Words have meaning,
but more importantly, they have meanings; we must pay close attention to the manner in which they are used, and also the manner in which they slip out of the author’s grasp and avoid being used in a limited way. By 25 carefully analyzing short passages, and interpreting them freely, New Critics revealed ways in which a text’s language could convey subtler messages that might call into question, or even outright conflict with, the generally accepted message of the work. 30 While this critical posture may seem disconnected from the everyday experience of the writer attempting to communicate, and can be taken to ridiculous extremes, a moderate version of the point is well worthy of consideration. As Barthes would urge us, the death of the 35 author means the birth of the reader, as the reading public becomes free to think more broadly than is permitted by the narrow intended message, and to create its own meanings within texts.
16
Review Questions The author’s goal for writing the passage is to (A) present the two opposing viewpoints of Jacques Derrida and Roland Barthes (B) refute the philosophy of the New Critics (C) describe the process of writing a literary work (D) advocate a compromise between the traditional critical scholarship and their modern counterparts (E) promote the sole acceptance of the traditional critical scholarship regarding the interpretation of literary works
CR 101
17
Review Questions The reference to Roland Barthes’ concept that “the death of the author means the birth of the reader” (lines 34-35) supports the author’s assertion that (A) an author’s intended meaning can often border on the ridiculous (B) an author’s work is meaningless outside of the context of the reader’s own experiences (C) the reader should have license to go beyond the author’s intent when interpreting a text (D) the process of interpreting literature is analogous to the cycle of life (E) the perspectives of the New Critics primarily enrich the reader’s ability to understand existential writers
CR 101
18
Review Questions The members of the traditional critical scholarship and the New Criticism would most likely agree on which point? (A) The best way to interpret the intended message of a literary work is to ask the author. (B) Understanding the intended message of a literary work is a valuable component of scholarly analysis. (C) The literary works of the eighteenth century were easier to interpret than the twentieth century. (D) The intended message of a literary work is open to many interpretations. (E) The works of Roland Barthes are easier to interpret than those of earlier scholars.
CR 101
19
