- Wed Jul 16, 2025 10:40 pm
#113615
Hi Dancingbambarina,
I agree with the difference that you spotted between "critics" in Answer D and "some critics" (line 1) mentioned in the passage. Good catch!
Answer D does state that these critics "typically focus on the development of false needs..." (my emphasis) rather than always, so that wouldn't necessarily be a problem if the passage had indicated that these critics were in the majority, but it doesn't.
Mass market culture is mentioned in the passage (line 10) but isn't explicitly defined. However, based on the context in the passage, along with some general outside knowledge, we can gather that it refers to the culture of big corporations selling products to many people (i.e. mass market, as opposed to a small, niche market) and usually involves a considerable amount of advertising.
The "elements of mass market culture" mentioned in Answer C refer both to the products themselves and to their related advertising. The best way to figure this out is to find the relevant lines in the passage that discuss the idea of consumers finding fulfillment.
The relevant sentence is "If there is a real need for emotional fulfillment, and if we can freely and authentically choose our means of obtaining it, then free, informed individuals may choose to obtain it through the purchase of commodities or even through the enjoyment occasionally provided of advertisements themselves" (lines 43-49).
The "elements of mass market culture" is referring to the purchase of commodities and enjoying the advertisements mentioned in that sentence.
