Set 1: Command of Evidence (Intermediate)

Explanation

Answer: C

PASSAGE

In the poem 'Ozymandias', Percy Bysshe Shelley describes a shattered statue in the desert. The pedestal reads: 'Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!' but around it, 'Nothing beside remains.'

What is the irony of the inscription on the pedestal?

A. The statue is too small to be impressive.

B. The King's 'Works' have completely vanished, making the boast empty.

C. The inscription was written by a rival king.✓ Correct

D. The desert is actually a fertile garden.

Detailed Explanation

This question requires you to identify evidence that supports a claim. The inscription boasts of power ('despair!'), but the reality is that 'Nothing beside remains'. The contrast between the arrogant boast and the empty, ruined reality is the irony. The best evidence directly and explicitly supports the stated claim without requiring assumptions. Match specific textual details or data points to the claim being made. The correct answer provides clear, direct support. Strong evidence directly addresses the claim without requiring additional interpretation. When evaluating options, look for quotes or data that explicitly support the statement. Weak evidence may be tangentially related but doesn't provide direct proof.

Key Evidence:

• "Look on my Works... despair"

• "Nothing beside remains"

Why others are wrong: A (The size isn't the point; the disappearance is.), B (This option is incorrect.), D (It is described as 'lone and level sands'.).

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