Text 1 For years, urban minimalists have criticized the ornamentation found on 19th-century buildings as "visual clutter." They argue that modern cities require sleek, unadorned facades to promote efficiency and clarity of thought. According to this view, the intricate stonework and decorative cornices of the past are merely aesthetic excesses that distract from the building’s function and should be replaced by streamlined, geometric designs that reflect the rationality of the digital age.
Text 2 Environmental psychologist Dr. Aris Thorne argues that the human brain evolved to process complex, fractal-like visual patterns found in nature—patterns often mimicked in historical architecture. Thorne suggests that the "sensory deprivation" caused by featureless, minimalist facades increases cortisol levels and induces anxiety in urban dwellers. Therefore, preserving and emulating the complexity of historical ornamentation is not about nostalgia, but about creating a built environment that supports psychological well-being.
Based on the texts, how would Dr. Thorne (Text 2) most likely respond to the urban minimalists’ argument in Text 1?
By conceding that minimalist designs are more efficient but arguing that they are too expensive to maintain
By suggesting that the "visual clutter" criticized by minimalists actually serves an essential psychological function for inhabitants
By disputing the claim that modern cities are rational, citing the chaotic nature of urban traffic patterns
By proposing that modern geometric designs are actually more complex than the ornamentation found in nature
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the best answer. Text 1 argues that ornamentation is "visual clutter" and inefficiency that should be removed. Text 2 directly counters this by arguing that what minimalists call clutter is actually "complex, fractal-like visual patterns" that are essential for mental health, and that removing them causes "sensory deprivation." Therefore, Thorne would argue that the so-called clutter serves a vital psychological purpose.
Choice A is incorrect because Text 2 does not discuss the cost of maintenance. Choice C is incorrect because Text 2 focuses on the psychological impact of architecture, not traffic patterns. Choice D is incorrect because Text 2 implies nature is complex and minimalism is "featureless," not that modern designs are more complex.