PP1 (Shorter) Verbal Section 2 (Hard) Q15

The Right Answer

This is a Function, or Author's Purpose, question, as indicated by the phrase "has which of the following functions" Moreover, this is a Multiple-Select problem, in which we must choose at least one answer but up to three. Thus, there are a total of seven possibilities: A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC.

The highlighted sentence is the first example of three illustrating ways in which the Russian serfs were able to bypass the rules and regulations. It thus serves to support the idea the Russian serfs were able to get around the rules and regulations because that's what examples do -- they support the previous sentence. This matches with the first answer choice: It provides support for an argument presented in the preceding sentence.

As stated above, the highlighted sentence is supporting the preceding sentence, which states that "serfdom was perfectly compatible with economic growth." This is a clear contrast with the conventional view from the first sentence, which states that "serfdom in nineteenth-century Russia inhibited economic growth." Thus, the highlighted sentence serves to support the preceding sentence and weaken the conventional view. This matches the second answer choice: It provides evidence that helps undermine a view introduced in the first sentence.

Thus, the correct answers are A and B.

The Wrong Answer

• C: The highlighted sentence is clearly not "raising a question." This answer choice is on drugs.