AnswersEnglish 2Evaluating an Argument

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Read this excerpt from Ani's evaluation of Dan DeLuca's argument in his article "Dylan's Nobel Prize Settles Debate: Rock Lyrics Are Poetry." DeLuca offers a haphazard patchwork of reasoning and evidence that leaves the reader wondering whether he believes his own claim. He remains focused on Dylan's body of work, quoting not only supporters of the Nobel committee's choice, but also detractors. DeLuca also includes a liberal sampling of Dylan's song lyrics, but he largely leaves them to speak for themselves. What evidence from the article best supports Ani’s evaluation? Choose two correct answers.

A
"And it’s a good thing [his lyrics] have been published, because if you’ve gone to see the famously sneering and syllable-garbling Dylan play live in recent years, you probably couldn’t understand a word he was singing."
B
"'Dylan has the status of an icon. His influence on contemporary music is profound, and he is the object of a steady stream of secondary literature,' the Nobel committee wrote."
C
"Many of Dylan’s most fervently loved songs—some of which actually are love songs—date from the 1960s, and his being honored at age 75 can be seen as an ultimate affirmation for the baby boomer generation."
D
"The Swedish Academy's decision to honor Dylan set off an online debate, with Scottish Trainspotting novelist Irvine Welsh calling it 'an ill conceived nostalgia award wrenched from the rancid prostates of senile, gibbering hippies.'"
E
"On one end of Dylan's songwriting spectrum is the vengeful, resolute, and timeless 'Masters Of War' . . . . It’s high dudgeon at its finest: ‘Let me ask you one question: Is your money that good? / Will it buy you forgiveness? Do you think that it could?'"
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Which statement would best conclude an evaluation of Dan DeLuca's argument in "Dylan's Nobel Prize Settles Debate: Rock Lyrics Are Poetry"?

A
DeLuca calls on novelists and a US president for their opinions of the Nobel committee's decision.
B
I find the examples of internal rhyme to be the most convincing evidence DeLuca offers.
C
Overall, DeLuca's wide-ranging evidence will prove that rock lyrics are indeed poetry.
D
DeLuca shows an impressive knowledge of the entire range of Dylan's creative output.
3

What would be the best thesis statement for an evaluation of Dan DeLuca's argument in "Dylan's Nobel Prize Settles Debate: Rock Lyrics Are Poetry"?

A
Dan DeLuca has written an editorial stating his opinion that rock lyrics are poetry.
B
When Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize for Literature, it sparked a major controversy.
C
I really enjoyed reading Dan DeLuca's article about Bob Dylan winning the Nobel Prize.
D
Despite his passionate argument that rock lyrics are poetry, Dan DeLuca fails to convince.
4

This question has two parts. First, answer Part 1. Then, answer Part 2. Part 1 Read the excerpt from “Dylan's Nobel prize settles debate: Rock lyrics are poetry.” Many of Dylan’s most fervently loved songs - some of which actually are love songs - date from the 1960s, and his being honored at age 75 can be seen as an ultimate affirmation for the baby boomer generation. There was a movie about the Beatles in theaters this fall, and now Dylan has won the Nobel Prize. They have lasted. On one end of Dylan's songwriting spectrum is the vengeful, resolute, and timeless “Masters Of War,” which he sang last weekend in his slot opening for the Rolling Stones at the Desert Trip festival-otherwise known as “Oldchella” - in Indio, Calif. It’s high dudgeon at its finest: “Let me ask you one question: Is your money that good? / Will it buy you forgiveness? Do you think that it could? / I think you will find when your death takes its toll / All the money you made will never buy back your soul.” On the other end are Dylan’s love songs, some of them also vengeful, such as "Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” (from 1963‘s The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan) or “Idiot Wind” (from 1975‘s brilliant Blood On The Tracks), or morose, like “Love Sick,” from the 1997’s late career tour de force Time Out Of Mind. A personal favorite is the uncharacteristically tender and humble “To Ramona,” from 1964’s Another Side Of Bob Dylan. “Ramona come closer, shut softly your watery eyes / The pangs of your sadness will pass as your sense will rise / The flowers of the city, though breathlike, get deathlike at times / Though there’s no use in trying to deal with the dying / Though I cannot explain that in lines.” Dylan is of course enormously influential. Springsteen, who referred to him as “The Father Of My Country” in his new Born To Run memoir, is one of many who were once known as “New Dylans.” Every singer songwriter with a personal story to tell owes him a debt, and hearing the above lines read or sung aloud, with their knack for internal rhyme, call up inevitable parallels to the dense playful language of rap. Which statement summarizes the author’s claim in these paragraphs?

A
Dylan’s music has influenced other songwriters.
B
A movie should be made about Dylan’s life and music.
C
Dylan’s best song was “To Ramona.”
D
Most of Dylan’s songs were love songs.

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