Many books have been written about the 1950s, an important decade in American history. The author himself describes the decade as a time when his “values were shaped” and when “American values were also shaped.” This isn’t the author’s first attempt to encapsulate this important decade. He has written several others, with varying success. In one, he covered the collapse of the automobile industry; in another, the Vietnam War; and yet another, the rise of television. What do these books have in common? The selection of events, quotes, and stories that the author makes. Holbrook is careful to select the most salacious and interesting events. The result is an entertaining book, but one that seems lacking in depth. By leaving out simpler stories that don’t seem as sensational, he misses opportunities to create a larger picture of this elusive decade.

Question

Many books have been written about the 1950s, an important decade in American history. The author himself describes the decade as a time when his “values were shaped” and when “American values were also shaped.” This isn’t the author’s first attempt to encapsulate this important decade. He has written several others, with varying success. In one, he covered the collapse of the automobile industry; in another, the Vietnam War; and yet another, the rise of television. What do these books have in common? The selection of events, quotes, and stories that the author makes. Holbrook is careful to select the most salacious and interesting events. The result is an entertaining book, but one that seems lacking in depth. By leaving out simpler stories that don’t seem as sensational, he misses opportunities to create a larger picture of this elusive decade.
Question
Use the passage to answer the question.

Which is an example that the reviewer could have included to support her main argument?

(1 point)
Responses

The author uses colorful language and a strong voice to describe the 1950s.
The author uses colorful language and a strong voice to describe the 1950s.

The author spends little time talking about the popular music of the 1950s.
The author spends little time talking about the popular music of the 1950s.

The author spends several chapters talking about celebrities but only one talking about daily life in the 1950s.
The author spends several chapters talking about celebrities but only one talking about daily life in the 1950s.

The author provides a brief review of American history and the decades preceding the 1950s.
The author provides a brief review of American history and the decades preceding the 1950s.
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GPT-4o mini · Answer

The most fitting example that the reviewer could have included to support her main argument is:

The author spends several chapters talking about celebrities but only one talking about daily life in the 1950s.

This example highlights the author's focus on sensational events and figures while neglecting the more ordinary aspects of life during the decade, which supports the reviewer's claim that the book lacks depth by omitting simpler stories to create a fuller picture of the 1950s.