SAT Writing Question 2:

Question

Faster than a speeding bullet, able to leap tall building in a single bound, Superman was the first comic book superhero. Prior to 1938, when Superman made his debut, early comic books consisted of multiple stories about different characters, many of them humorous. With the arrival of the superhero archetype, publishers began devoting whole issues to single characters. (2) Readers enjoyed the illustration more than the dialogue.

(2)Which choice provides the most appropriate introduction to the rest of the passage?

A) No change

B) The Golden Age of Comics had dawned.

C) Bookstores didn't have enough space to carry all the new comics that were being issued.

D) These original issues would be worth a lot today.

Answer 1

Since the passage is talking about a change in focus to one character compared to many in comic books, the appropriate introduction would be B because a "new age" of comics has dawned. When looking at the rest of the answers, you can use the process of elimination to find the best choice. The provided introduction introduces a completely different topic, so it cannot be correct. Answer C also is introducing a new topic, and Answer D doesn't work because the passage wasn't talking about the value of these comic books.

Answer 2

Hi: I agree with Sage, the Golden Age of Comics had dawned. In studying English and American literature, one genre that is often overlooked is the entire 'Penny Dreadful' readers. These were the forerunners of today's comics and had heros like Nancy Drew, Hardy Brothers and the Horatio Alger series. Many of these first books had a religious and moral theme where the improvished boy fulfills the American Dream and gets rich. A lot of books had 'morals' and told a tale of good winning over evil.

In today's entire Marvel Comics series in print and film; once again, good does conquer evil. However; you will notice that evil does seem to get stronger and stronger all the time, and the good guy often takes a real beating before he/she wins. Modern life! Thanks, Courtney W., MA