The following text is from a cultural studies article.
Nostalgia has shifted from medical diagnosis to marketing strategy. Originally describing homesickness severe enough to cause physical symptoms, nostalgia now names a positive emotional response commodified across entertainment industries. Retro aesthetics, reboots, and reunion tours capitalize on generational memory. Critics worry that commercial nostalgia replaces genuine engagement with the past with superficial aesthetic recycling.
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
It traces a concept's transformation and notes concerns about current usage.
It provides medical treatment options for nostalgia.
It compares nostalgia across different age groups.
It profiles specific entertainers who exploit nostalgia.
Correct Answer: A
Choice A is the best answer. The text traces nostalgia's transformation (medical to marketing) and notes critical concerns (superficial recycling).
- Evidence: The text traces the shift: "Nostalgia has shifted from medical diagnosis to marketing strategy." It describes the old meaning: "Originally describing homesickness..." It describes the new meaning: "now names a positive emotional response." It notes critique: "Critics worry that commercial nostalgia replaces genuine engagement."
- Reasoning: The structure follows the history of a word/concept and ends with a critique of its current use.
- Conclusion: This matches "traces a concept's transformation and notes concerns."
💡 Strategy: Track the change: Sickness -> Product -> Critique.
Choice B is incorrect because medical treatment isn't discussed. Choice C is incorrect because age groups aren't compared. Choice D is incorrect because no entertainers are profiled.