Video Explanation

Text Explanation

Approach

The best way to approach this text completion is to break apart the sentence into pieces and fill in some of the information from the other part of the sentence. For example, in the first part of the sentence we are told that ‘they’ see as a culture so dominated…”. If you read a bit further, you’ll notice that “they” refers to “authors”. Next, reword the sentence in your own words. The final product could look like this: 

In ___________ what the authors see as a culture so dominated by technology as to be made incapable of maintaining an examination of one’s own thoughts and feelings, the authors make huge generalizations that everyone but the boldest Luddites (people that are opposed to technological change) will remain__________.

It’s still tough to read, but it’s a bit easier to understand in this form.

Blank (i)

The first part of the sentence has a very negative tone. If a culture is so dominated by technology that it is incapable of introspection (something that most people consider to be a natural ability), then that is not a good thing. The author of the passage is criticizing the culture because they are very concerned---or “bemoaning” it. Therefore, answer choice (A) is correct.

Answer choice (B) is incorrect because as previously mentioned, the author of the passage describes the culture in a negative tone. Therefore, they are not “glorifying” it.

Answer choice (C) is incorrect because the author is concerned about the culture, so they are not overlooking it. In fact, they are commenting on it.

Blank (ii)

We rewrote this portion of the passage to say, “the authors make huge generalizations that everyone but the boldest Luddites will remain__________. We also know that from the first portion of the passage that the author has a negative tone and appears to be criticizing or pointing out some effect of the culture that is very concerning. However, the author also makes huge (wide) generalizations. When one makes huge generalizations, they are very unlikely to convince anyone. Therefore, answer choice (E) is correct.

Everyone but the boldest or most dedicated Luddites will remain “committed” doesn’t make any sense. Luddites are opposed to technological change. The “hardiest” among them would be REALLY opposed to technological change. Therefore, any generalization would appeal to their commitment. However, we are talking about everyone else BESIDES those people. Therefore, answer choice (D) is incorrect.

Dispirited means, “to deprive of morale or enthusiasm”. Beliefs are presented in the passage, but they are not described as being moral in any way. Furthermore, we aren’t told that non-hardy Luddites are lacking enthusiasm. Therefore, answer choice (F) is incorrect.