Question
Assuming that popular culture offers a window into the
American psyche, two storylines taken straight from comic
books show how optimism has virtually disappeared over the
last few decades. Superman, born in 1938, offered
50Depression-era Americans the chance to escape from their
troubles into a world where the prospect of justice and peace
was hovering just overhead in a red cape and blue tights.
America's promise of better times in a better world was
embodied in the Man of Steel.
55Superman's symbolic value rose during World War II,
when American citizens looked for hope amidst the dark days
of a worldwide struggle. Issue 23 of Superman from 1943
offers a feel-good patriotic sense of purpose. In the story,
American troops at the fictional base of Camp Towne are
60divided into two teams, Red and Blue, that will compete in
military exercises. Superman pays a morale-boosting visit to
Camp Towne and, at the behest of the generals at the base,
joins the Blue team. He leads the Blue team to victory in the
initial stages of the conflict, using his super abilities to tunnel
65into the Red team's headquarters.
Once the Blue team infiltrates, Superman recuses himself
while the two teams engage in a mock battle. Though the odds
are against them, the Red team overcomes the disadvantage of
the surprise attack through sheer determination, defeating the
70blue team. At the battle's end, Superman says, "This is the
proudest moment of my life! ... I hope the whole world hears
of this and of our nation's real secret weapon—the unflagging
courage of her men, no matter what the odds, and their
indomitable will to win!"
75Today, that positivity has been extinguished. A recent
issue of Superman introduces a character named Ulysses, a
human being who has lived his life in a different dimension
but comes to Earth endowed with powers superior to those of
Superman. Ulysses surveys Earth and, on live television,
80declares it unsalvageable. One of the illustrations shows an
unnamed figure in the Oval Office who appears to be President
Barack Obama, watching Ulysses' broadcast. Superman
objects to Ulysses' bleak assessment and their disagreement
erupts into a battle on the dark, rain-swept streets of
85Metropolis, the fictional city Superman regularly patrols. In
the issue's last panel, a victorious Ulysses stands over
Superman's battered body, having symbolically and decisively
vanquished hope.
16
Questions 16 and 17 ask about Passage B.
Based on Passage B, it is reasonable to conclude that:
F.
the first Superman comic book was published in 1938.
G.
Superman storylines always involved war scenes.
H.
the “S” logo on Superman’s chest was not introduced
until 1943.
J.
Superman rescues himself from a mock battle in one
storyline.
American psyche, two storylines taken straight from comic
books show how optimism has virtually disappeared over the
last few decades. Superman, born in 1938, offered
50Depression-era Americans the chance to escape from their
troubles into a world where the prospect of justice and peace
was hovering just overhead in a red cape and blue tights.
America's promise of better times in a better world was
embodied in the Man of Steel.
55Superman's symbolic value rose during World War II,
when American citizens looked for hope amidst the dark days
of a worldwide struggle. Issue 23 of Superman from 1943
offers a feel-good patriotic sense of purpose. In the story,
American troops at the fictional base of Camp Towne are
60divided into two teams, Red and Blue, that will compete in
military exercises. Superman pays a morale-boosting visit to
Camp Towne and, at the behest of the generals at the base,
joins the Blue team. He leads the Blue team to victory in the
initial stages of the conflict, using his super abilities to tunnel
65into the Red team's headquarters.
Once the Blue team infiltrates, Superman recuses himself
while the two teams engage in a mock battle. Though the odds
are against them, the Red team overcomes the disadvantage of
the surprise attack through sheer determination, defeating the
70blue team. At the battle's end, Superman says, "This is the
proudest moment of my life! ... I hope the whole world hears
of this and of our nation's real secret weapon—the unflagging
courage of her men, no matter what the odds, and their
indomitable will to win!"
75Today, that positivity has been extinguished. A recent
issue of Superman introduces a character named Ulysses, a
human being who has lived his life in a different dimension
but comes to Earth endowed with powers superior to those of
Superman. Ulysses surveys Earth and, on live television,
80declares it unsalvageable. One of the illustrations shows an
unnamed figure in the Oval Office who appears to be President
Barack Obama, watching Ulysses' broadcast. Superman
objects to Ulysses' bleak assessment and their disagreement
erupts into a battle on the dark, rain-swept streets of
85Metropolis, the fictional city Superman regularly patrols. In
the issue's last panel, a victorious Ulysses stands over
Superman's battered body, having symbolically and decisively
vanquished hope.
16
Questions 16 and 17 ask about Passage B.
Based on Passage B, it is reasonable to conclude that:
F.
the first Superman comic book was published in 1938.
G.
Superman storylines always involved war scenes.
H.
the “S” logo on Superman’s chest was not introduced
until 1943.
J.
Superman rescues himself from a mock battle in one
storyline.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Based on Passage B, the most reasonable conclusion is:
**F. the first Superman comic book was published in 1938.**
The passage states that Superman was "born in 1938," which implies the first comic book featuring the character was published that year. The other options are not supported by the text. There is no mention in the passage of Superman storylines always involving war scenes, the introduction date of the "S" logo, or Superman rescuing himself from a mock battle.
**F. the first Superman comic book was published in 1938.**
The passage states that Superman was "born in 1938," which implies the first comic book featuring the character was published that year. The other options are not supported by the text. There is no mention in the passage of Superman storylines always involving war scenes, the introduction date of the "S" logo, or Superman rescuing himself from a mock battle.