Set 1: Inferences
Explanation
PASSAGE
The 1920s saw a dramatic shift in American consumer culture. For the first time, installment plans allowed working-class families to purchase items like refrigerators and automobiles. Banks eagerly extended credit, and advertisements promised that owning the latest products would lead to happiness and social status.
What does the passage suggest about American society in the 1920s?
Detailed Explanation
This question asks you to draw a logical conclusion from the text. The passage explicitly states that 'advertisements promised that owning the latest products would lead to happiness,' directly linking consumer goods to personal fulfillment. A valid inference must be supported by evidence in the passage, even if not stated directly. Look for clues in the text that strongly suggest the answer. Avoid conclusions that require assumptions beyond what's written. Valid inferences are strongly supported by multiple pieces of evidence in the text. Be cautious of choices that go too far beyond what the passage actually states. The best inference is the one most directly supported by textual evidence.
Key Evidence:
• "promised that owning the latest products would lead to happiness and social status"
Why others are wrong: A (The passage says families used installment plans (debt).), B (Banks 'eagerly extended credit.'), C (Ads 'promised happiness,' implying influence.).