Question 51 Answer and Explanation _ACT June 2014 Form 72C English Section

Passage IV

Beaux Arts Architecture in the Spotlight

On West 45th Street in New York City, wedged between buildings more than twice it’s height, stands the Lyceum Theatre. Tourists and New Yorkers alike regularly filling this theater to its 900-seat capacity. Most are there to attend a performance; a few, for example, are likely to be architecture buffs they come to admire the stunning building itself. Built in 1903, the theater exemplifies the Beaux Arts architectural style, which fuses elements of classical Greek and Roman design with Renaissance and Baroque details.

The Beaux Arts revival of classical Greek and Roman architecture is apparent on first view of the theater. The Lyceum’s facade—the exterior front, or “face,” of the building—features half a dozen Corinthian columns. Above the columns extends a horizontal stone band called a frieze; carved into it are the classical theatrical masks that represent comedy and tragedy. (51)

Demonstrating the Beaux Arts infusion of Renaissance and Baroque details, tall, arched French windows, symmetrically placed between the columns, lighten the imposing gray limestone structure. [A] Above the windows and frieze, an exterior balcony spans the width of the gray building. [B] The balcony is fenced with a balustrade, a stone railing supported by a row of waist-high, vase-shaped pillars. [C] The ornate interior of the building is consistent with its elaborate exterior. [D] Not just one but two marble-finished grand staircases lead from the foyer to the midlevel seating area, called the mezzanine. Inside the theater itself, elegant chandeliers illuminate rose-colored walls that have gold accents. In keeping with sumptuous Beaux Arts style, curved rows of plush purple chairs embrace the stage. (56) (57)

Patrons credit the handsome Beaux Arts aesthetic with adding enhancement to their theatergoing experience. Though smaller and more cramped than many newer theaters—audience members often note that legroom is limited—the Lyceum’s distinctive atmosphere continues to delight theater fans as well as architecture enthusiasts.

51. The writer is considering adding the following sentence:

Masks figured prominently in classical Greek theater performances, in part due to the fact that one actor would usually play several characters.

Should the writer make this addition here?

A. Yes, because it connects the paragraph’s point about theatrical masks to the larger subject of classical Greek theater.

B. Yes, because it explains the masks’ significance to classical Greek theater and architecture.

C. No, because it only addresses classical Greek theater and doesn’t include information about Roman theater.

D. No, because it deviates from the paragraph’s focus on the Lyceum Theatre’s architecture.

Answer and Explanation

Your Answer is

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

This paragraph is talking about the architectural form of the Theater, and the sentence to be added talks about the status and function of Masks, which is obviously off topic.

Item C "This sentence only explains the classical Greek theater and has no information about the Roman theater" is not the reason why this sentence is not added.