When poetry is translated from one language into another, some readers insist on strictly literal translations, because this allows them...

GMAT Two Part Analysis : (TPA) Questions

Source: Mock

Two Part Analysis

Verbal - CR

HARD

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Notes

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When poetry is translated from one language into another, some readers insist on strictly literal translations, because this allows them to interpret the poem for themselves rather than having an interpretation imposed on them. However, this insistence is most often counterproductive for these readers. Adequate interpretation of the underlying meaning of a poem requires a deep understanding of the language and cultural background within which the poem first appeared. And while few readers of poetry in translation have this understanding, many translators have it.

In the table, identify the statement that most accurately states the Conclusion of the argument and the statement that most accurately describes an Assumption on which the argument depends. Make only two selections, one in each column.

Conclusion

Assumption

Most translators who have done strictly literal translations of poetry have a deep understanding of the languages and backgrounds of the poems they translate.

Insisting on strictly literal translations of poetry tends to result in poorer understanding by readers.

Few translators who deeply understand a poem's language and its cultural background can interpret the poem adequately.

A significant number of translators who deeply understand the language and cultural background of poems can interpret them adequately.

A significant number of readers who insist on strictly literal translations of a poem are able to adequately interpret it.

Solution

Phase 1: Owning the Dataset

Argument Analysis Table

Text from Passage	Analysis
"When poetry is translated from one language into another, some readers insist on strictly literal translations, because this allows them to interpret the poem for themselves rather than having an interpretation imposed on them."	What it says: Some readers want word-for-word translations so they can do their own interpretation What it does: Sets up the context/situation being discussed Key connections: This preference will be challenged by what follows Visualization: Readers → Want literal translation → To interpret themselves
"However, this insistence is most often counterproductive for these readers."	What it says: The readers' approach actually works against their goals What it does: States the main conclusion (signaled by "However") Key connections: Directly opposes what readers think they're achieving Visualization: Literal translation ≠ Better understanding (contrary to readers' belief)
"Adequate interpretation of the underlying meaning of a poem requires a deep understanding of the language and cultural background within which the poem first appeared."	What it says: You need deep linguistic and cultural knowledge to truly understand a poem What it does: Provides evidence for why literal translations fail Key connections: Sets up a requirement that most readers don't meet Visualization: Adequate interpretation ← Requires → Deep language + cultural understanding
"And while few readers of poetry in translation have this understanding, many translators have it."	What it says: Readers lack the necessary understanding, but translators possess it What it does: Completes the evidence by showing the knowledge gap Key connections: Explains why translators' interpretations might be valuable Visualization: Readers (few have understanding) vs. Translators (many have understanding)

Identified Argument Structure

Main conclusion: Insisting on strictly literal translations is counterproductive for readers
Supporting evidence:
- Adequate interpretation requires deep understanding of language and culture
- Few readers have this understanding
- Many translators have this understanding
Implicit assumption: Translators can use their understanding to create better non-literal translations
Overall flow: Readers want literal translations → But this backfires → Because interpretation needs deep knowledge → Which readers lack but translators have

Phase 2: Question Analysis & Prethinking

Understanding What Each Part Asks

Part 1 (Conclusion): We need to identify which statement best captures the main conclusion of the argument
Part 2 (Assumption): We need to identify what the argument must assume to be true for its reasoning to work
Relationship: The assumption should be something unstated but necessary for the conclusion to follow from the evidence

Prethinking for Each Part

For the Conclusion:

The conclusion is explicitly stated: "this insistence is most often counterproductive for these readers." We should look for a choice that captures this idea - that demanding literal translations actually harms readers' understanding rather than helping it.

For the Assumption:

The argument suggests translators' interpretations are valuable because they have deep understanding. But it never explicitly states that translators can actually USE this understanding to create good interpretations. This gap needs to be filled - we need to assume that having deep understanding enables translators to interpret poems adequately.

Phase 3: Answer Choice Evaluation

Evaluating Each Choice

"Most translators who have done strictly literal translations of poetry have a deep understanding of the languages and backgrounds of the poems they translate."
- This talks about translators who do literal translations specifically
- Doesn't capture the main conclusion about readers' counterproductive insistence
- Not a necessary assumption (the argument is about non-literal translations being better)
- Not suitable for either part
"Insisting on strictly literal translations of poetry tends to result in poorer understanding by readers."
- This directly restates the conclusion that the insistence is "counterproductive"
- "Poorer understanding" = "counterproductive for these readers"
- Perfect match for Conclusion
"Few translators who deeply understand a poem's language and its cultural background can interpret the poem adequately."
- This would actually undermine the argument
- If translators can't interpret well even with understanding, why trust their non-literal translations?
- Not suitable for either part
"A significant number of translators who deeply understand the language and cultural background of poems can interpret them adequately."
- This fills the logical gap in the argument
- The argument assumes translators' understanding translates into good interpretation
- Without this, there's no reason to prefer translators' interpretations
- Perfect match for Assumption
"A significant number of readers who insist on strictly literal translations of a poem are able to adequately interpret it."
- This contradicts the entire argument
- The argument says these readers' approach is counterproductive
- Not suitable for either part

The Correct Answers

For Conclusion: Choice B perfectly captures that insisting on literal translations leads to worse outcomes for readers
For Assumption: Choice D is necessary for the argument to work - we must assume translators can actually use their deep understanding effectively

Common Traps to Highlight

Choice A might seem relevant because it mentions translators' understanding, but it focuses on the wrong type of translators (those doing literal translations)
Choice C is particularly tricky because it mentions the right concepts but reverses the logic - watch for these inversions
Choice E might attract students who misread it as supporting the argument, when it actually contradicts the main conclusion

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