Question 115·Easy·Cross-Text Connections
Text 1
In literary publishing, works that are translated into English often receive less serious critical attention than works originally written in English. This imbalance is especially noticeable with poetry: reviewers may praise a translated collection for being “interesting” or “accessible” while avoiding direct discussion of its craft, as if the poems’ artistry belongs only to the original language.
Text 2
Poet and translator Lina Ortega spent ten years translating the work of Chilean poet Marisol Rojas. Critics in newspapers admired Ortega’s “clear, graceful English,” and the book sold well for a poetry title. Even so, the collection was largely absent from major literary award shortlists, including awards that claim to honor poetry from around the world.
Based on the two texts, how would the author of Text 1 most likely regard the situation presented in the underlined sentence in Text 2?
For cross-text connections, first summarize Text 1 in one sentence (its broad claim). Then summarize the specific situation in Text 2 that the question points to (here, the underlined sentence). Finally, pick the choice that explains the Text 2 situation using Text 1’s claim—avoid options that introduce new ideas (like sales causing awards) that neither text supports.
Hints
Locate the general pattern in Text 1
Focus on what Text 1 says usually happens to translated works, especially poetry.
Restate the underlined sentence in your own words
What kind of recognition is the book not getting, even though it was praised and sold well?
Choose the option that connects the pattern to the example
Pick the answer that treats Text 2 as an example of the broader trend described in Text 1.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify Text 1’s main claim
Text 1 says translated works get less serious critical attention than works originally written in English, and that this problem is especially common with poetry translations.
Identify what happens in Text 2
Text 2 describes a well-received translation that critics praised and that sold well, but the underlined sentence says it was mostly missing from major award shortlists.
Match Text 2’s situation to Text 1’s viewpoint
Since Text 1 argues that translated poetry is often not taken as seriously as original English poetry, the author of Text 1 would see the lack of award recognition as expected. Therefore, the best choice is “As expected, because translated poetry is often treated as less worthy of serious recognition than poetry originally written in English.”