3

Set 4: Cross-Text Connections

Explanation

Answer: A

PASSAGE

Text 1 Tragedy traditionally centers on the fall of a person of high status, such as a king or general. This heightens the impact of their downfall, as it affects the entire state. Text 2 Arthur Miller's 'Death of a Salesman' argues for the 'tragedy of the common man.' By centering on Willy Loman, a failing salesman, Miller asserts that the emotional weight of tragedy lies in the individual's loss of dignity, regardless of their social rank.

How does Miller's argument in Text 2 revise the definition in Text 1?

A. It democratizes the genre, shifting the prerequisite from social status to human dignity.✓ Correct
B. It says salesmen are kings.
C. It argues that tragedy must be funny.
D. It claims common men have no dignity.

Detailed Explanation

Text 1: High status essential. Text 2: Common man/Dignity essential. Revision: Democratization (Status -> Dignity).

Key Evidence:

• "tragedy of the common man"

• "regardless of their social rank"

Why others are wrong: B (Common man.), C (Tragedy.), D (asserts ... weight ... lies in ... loss of dignity.).

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