<p>In the home of Amy Tan's editor, a large blow up of a 1991 New York Times best-seller list hangs on the wall. The number one novel, <i>Amy Tan's The Kitchen God's Wife</i>, is boldly circled. [3] For Tan, the reward of writing is not found in how many books she sells, but in what she has learned about herself from writing them.</p>
<ol>
<li>At this point, the writer would like to contrast Tan's response to her accomplishments to her editor's response. Which of the following sentences (assuming all are true), if added here, would most successfully achieve this effect?</li>
</ol>
<p>A. Tan is considered one of America's best author.
B. Success is only one measure of a person, however.
C. Tan says fame can result in the loss of privacy.
D. No such symbols of success hang in Tan's house.</p>
<p>The answer is D. I just don't understand what the question is asking. </p>
<p>Also for letter D, is the verb "hang" plural because the context of symbols is plural? Thanks.</p>
<p>Ok, so in the paragraph it shows two people: the editor, and the author, right? The question asks to contrast the response–differentiate between how Tan and her editor look at her fame. (Response is the key word here.) You’re supposed to pick, from one of the four choices, which sentence would best be added after the last sentence. So take a look at the editor. A blow up of the 91 Times best-seller is on the wall, and Tan’s book is circled. Clearly, the editor is proud of this and always wants to look at it and have other people see it. However, the paragraph does not make mention of Tan having any tangible to show of her writing. Instead, it says “what she has learned about herself from writing them.” So now, you want to find the answer that most clearly shows the difference in Tan’s and the editor’s response to her popularity in writing. A isn’t correct because it nowhere claims that Tan is America’s best. B is wrong because it just doesn’t go with the flow of the paragraph. C is just plain wrong; privacy isn’t even mentioned here. D, however, is correct, because it successfully would contrast the editor’s pride and Tan’s humility in her work, as she doesn’t hang or display symbols of her writing in her home.
And yes, you’re correct that “hang” is as it is because “symbols” is plural. You’re practically guaranteed to have questions like that on the ACT, so make sure you know and check that the verb modifies the noun, and not the direct object. Which, of course, in this case, means that symbols is the noun and hang is the verb.</p>
<p>Thanks for the very comprehensive explanation… I bet you’re acing the English section! I understand it now, so thanks again. Do you mind me asking you questions whenever I need help?</p>
<p>Of course! I’m happy to help–whatever section you need, though English is my best. Just message me or something if you have another question. Good luck! :)</p>