Critical Reading For Exams / Short Reading Comprehension 17


Being told I would be expected to talk here, I inquired what sort of a talk I ought to make. They said it should be  something suitable to youth—something didactic, instructive, or something in the nature of good advice. Very well. 

I have a few things in my mind which I have often longed to say for the instruction of the young; for it is one’s ten-  der early years that such things will best take root and be most enduring and most valuable. First, then, I will say to  you, my young friends—and I say it beseechingly, urgingly— 

Always obey your parents, when they are present. This is the best policy in the long run, because if you don’t they  will make you. Most parents think they know better than you do, and you can generally make more by humoring that  superstition than you can by acting on your own better judgment. 



How does the author suggest the young might make more as it relates to the main instruction given in the speech? A. B. C. D. E.

By setting rules that you are no longer subject to their charge and act independently
By agreeing that they know much more than you and provide superior advice
By acknowledging that you live in a dichotomous world with divergent aspirations
By playing along and fostering the idea that parents know better than you
By obeying parents when they are present and reserving your own actions until you are not with them

As used in line (2), the term “didactic” most nearly means which of the following

Seen as fatherly
Intended to be inspirational
Teaching a moral lesson
Sharing an informational experience
Received as comical

Why does the author suggest that it is “superstition” that “parents think they know better than you do,”?

The author appreciates that less than 10 percent of what is spoken is retained by the listener unless the listener is entertained.
The author is making light of the proposition that parents might know more than youth which helps captivate the audience allowing the speaker to make his actual points.
The author understands the importance of keeping an audience actively listening and by acknowledging that the statement is ludicrous, he aligns his thoughts to those of the audience.
The author is preparing the audience for his presentation of modern day superstitions and he is hopeful this engagement will help keep their attention.
The author notices that the audience is very young and in order to make a lasting impression, revelations of this nature are imperative.

What likely would have been the audience response to the speaker’s beseeching and urging?

As a result of the speaker sharing the background of how he came to speak to the group, they likely would have already determined what the speech would be about and began talking to neighbors.
It is unlikely they would have listened to their neighbor and been attentive to the speaker.
Given the pre-established notion that the speech would be instructive, it is likely the audience would have diverted their attention.
As the audience was young, it is likely they would have wondered what the words meant and listened attentively.
Without further instruction, the audience response would have likely been one of completely ignoring the speaker, unless their parents were present.

What device does the author decide to use to present his talk?

Inference
Irony
Logic
Satire
Humor

 
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