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ANSWERS TO
QUESTIONS 9 - 10:
5) The correct answer is C. We have just
read a paragraph which dealt in some detail with James Ramsay's emotions, and
which represented him as being a typical of "that great clan" (which it is
reasonable to suppose includes children) who do not keep their feelings within
bounds, and who feel things very intensely. It would be an inaccurate and over
literal reading of the tone of the passage, (which is not without a subtle
humour), that found answer A to be correct. Note that many of the passages set
by GAMSAT are designed to assess the candidate's ability to assess the tone,
the intention, behind acts of communication, at least as much, if not more,
than their logical application or structure. Answer D, while pointing to
something in the passage which is true, is the wrong answer because although
the second sentence does herald a change of tone, this is not the reason for
its existence. The change in tone follows on from a development in the
character's mood, not vice versa.
6) The correct answer is D.
The first three answers, though very different, are all consequent upon
mis-reading the tone of the passage, as indicated above. Notice the importance
of this; one wrong answer, as for the passage above for instance, may entail
another if an incorrect line of interpretation is followed through. Always
check to see if a sequence of questions is implicitly connected; it might be
possible to cross-reference in order to double check for accuracy of
interpretation. D is the correct answer because the author's voice is involved
in judging the character called Mr.Ramsay (see next answer).
7) C is
the correct answer. This is the most difficult question and it requires
some sophistication in reading technique to see it. Once again it is a test of
ability to read tone. The author introduces the character but is soon involved
in covertly making judgements against him, though this is, possibly, hidden
from the reader because the judgements are initially introduced as belonging to
James Ramsay. By the end, however, despite indications that we are following Mr
Ramsay's own train of thought, the author's tone is increasingly mocking.
(Reading the last four lines of the paragraph in a sarcastic tone of voice
brings out the truth of this). The tell tale sign of this satirical mockery is
the use of the word "little" in the phrase "little blue eyes", which diminishes
the character. You should notice that these words have been missed out in the
question which purportedly quotes the phrase in question but uses the
convention of dots within the quote ( "….." ) to effectively refer to the
phrase in question without actually quoting it. This is a rather mean trick to
make the question even more difficult by implicitly concealing evidence! Take
note:- some advanced multiple choice questions require great vigilance and
powers of observation. Remember - it is the examiner's job to help the
candidate make the wrong choice! Answer A is wrong simply because there is no
evidence to support the statement, answer B is based on confusing the
character's response to his own subjective thoughts with the external
situation, and answer D is wrong because it is based on Mr Ramsay's own opinion
rather than on what we are told about him.
8) This question is
difficult in the same way as the last one, but not perhaps to the same degree.
The correct answer is B, and for similar reasons. Although this judgement is
initially James Ramsay's, it is soon being offered to us by the author as
objective fact. Answer A would correspond to Mr.Ramsay's view of the matter,
but his views are disqualified by the author. Answer C is wrong because it is,
once again, based on confusing the character's response to his own subjective
thoughts with the external situation, and there is no evidence to support
answer D.
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