I think you two are interpreting the section of the passage incorrectly.

The author believes that Thompson's view of laboring people towards consumerism-capitalism were exaggerated. The author believes that these laborers were not hostile towards
capitalism. However, Thompson who is being referred in the question , believed they (laborers) were against it.

It is Thompson's views of laborers towards capitalism was being asked in the question. So, the answer is E.

17. In the first paragraph, the author mentions McKendrick and Plumb most probably in order to

(A) contrast their views on the subject of luxury consumerism in eighteenth-century England

The first paragraph is, basically , the introduction to the entire argument of the passage. Moreover, we do not have any contrast in it

(B) indicate the inadequacy of historiographical approaches to eighteenth-century English history

The 1st part does not highlight any approach. it just frames a phenomenon

(C) give examples of historians who have helped to establish the fact of growing consumerism in eighteenth-century England

Correct. we do have examples

(D) support the contention that key questions about eighteenth-century consumerism remain to be answered

it disputes that certain questions were unanswered. This is partially true because we do know that even though certain areas were still unclear, mainly, the reasons for that consumerism was out of the discussion. Tricky

(E) compare one historian's interest in luxury goods such as pottery to another historian's interest in luxury services such as musical festivals

No comparison in the 1st one


18. Which of the following items, if preserved from eighteenth-century England, would provide an example of the kind of documents mentioned?

(A) A written agreement between a supplier of raw materials and a supplier of luxury goods
(B) A diary that mentions luxury goods and services purchased by its author
(C) A theater ticket stamped with the date and name of a particular play
(D) A payroll record from a company that produced luxury goods such as pottery
(E) A newspaper advertisement describing luxury goods and services available at a seaside resort

if you look at the phrase in the second paragraph, you can see clearly that B is the answer. We do need something written that clearly state the will of the consumers at the time





19. According to the passage, Thompson attributes to laboring people in eighteenth-century England which of the following attitudes toward capitalist consumerism?

(A) Enthusiasm
(B) Curiosity
(C) Ambivalence
(D) Stubbornness
(E) Hostility

Thompson, while rightly restoring laboring people to the stage of eighteenth-century English history, has probably exaggerated the opposition of these people to the inroads of capitalist consumerism in general;

E is the answer. However, notice how B is quite tricky but we do not have a firm clue about



20. In the third paragraph, the author is primarily concerned with

(A) contrasting two theses and offering a compromise
(B) questioning two explanations and proposing a possible alternative to them
(C) paraphrasing the work of two historians and questioning their assumptions
(D) examining two theories and endorsing one over the other
(E) raising several questions but implying that they cannot be answered.


1) the ability of manufacturers to advertise in a relatively uncensored press

2) The "middling sort" bought goods and services because they wanted to follow fashions set by the rich.

Again, we may wonder whether this explanation is sufficient. Do not people enjoy buying things as a form of self-gratification? If so, consumerism could be seen as a product of the rise of new concepts of individualism and materialism, but not necessarily of the frenzy for conspicuous competition.

The key sentence are above. This shows clearly they the answer is B


21. According to the passage, a Veblen model of conspicuous consumption has been used to

(A) investigate the extent of the demand for luxury goods among social classes in eighteenth-century England
(B) classify the kinds of lUXUry goods desired by eighteenth-century consumers
(C) explain the motivation of eighteenth-century consumers to buy luxury goods
(D) establish the extent to which the tastes of rich consumers were shaped by the middle classes in eighteenth-century England
(E) compare luxury consumerism in eighteenth-century England with such consumerism in the twentieth century


This, however, hardly seems a sufficient answer. McKendrick favors a Veblen model of conspicuous consumption stimulated by competition for status.

C is the answer.


22. According to the passage, eighteenth-century England and the contemporary world of the passage's readers are

(A) dissimilar in the extent to which luxury consumerism could be said to be widespread among the social classes
(B) dissimilar in their definitions of luxury goods and services
(C) dissimilar in the extent to which lUXUry goods could be said to be a stimulant of industrial development
(D) similar in their strong demand for a variety of goods and services
(E) similar in the extent to which a middle class could be identified as imitating the habits of a wealthier class



the insatiable demand in eighteenth-century England for frivolous as well as useful goods and services foreshadows our own world.



23. It can be inferred from the passage that the author would most probably agree with which of the following statements about the relationship between the Industrial Revolution and the demand for lUXUry goods and services in eighteenth-century England?

(A) The growing demand for luxury goods and services was a major factor in the cQrning of the Industrial Revolution.
(B) The Industrial Revolution exploited the already existing demand for luxury goods and services.
(C) Although the demand for lUXUry goods may have helped bring about the Industrial Revolution, the demand for luxury services did not.
(D) There is no reason to believe that the Industrial Revolution was directly driven by a growing demand for luxury goods and services.
(E) The increasing demand for luxury goods and services was a cultural phenomenon that has been conclusively demonstrated to have been separate from the coming of the Industrial
Revolution.


Finally, what were the consequences of this consumer demand for luxuries? McKendrick claims that it goes a long way toward explaining the coming of the Industrial Revolution. But does it? What, for example, does the production of high-quality pottery and toys have to do with the development of iron manufacture or textile mills? It is perfectly possible to have the psychology and reality of a consumer society without a heavy industrial sector


From the red part of the passage, we can infer that the demand for luxury goods and the overall phase in the history called the "Industrial Revolution" and not two different things mutually exclusive. Rather, the first is a piece of the whole: the IR.


Regards

The author gives an example of the exaggeration in Thompson's view, but according to Thompson his view is correct.


So the question is asking about Thompson's view, what he attributed to laboring people and not the author's opinion

Please see the explanations above. I did all the questions of the passage.

back here if you do need further clarifications

I don't think what I said there was wrong. Thompson thought the laboring people were OPPOSED to consumerism-capitalism. The correct answer would be Hostile. read it carefully please.

See also the answer to question 19 provided by me

Regards

17. In the first paragraph, the author mentions McKendrick and Plumb most probably in order to

(C) give examples of historians who have helped to establish the fact of growing consumerism in eighteenth-century England- Correct this is the theme of para one

18. Which of the following items, if preserved from eighteenth-century England, would provide an example of the kind of documents mentioned?

(B) A diary that mentions luxury goods and services purchased by its author- correct
personal documents written by actual consumers will provide a precise picture of who wanted what.

19. According to the passage, Thompson attributes to laboring people in eighteenth-century England which of the following attitudes toward capitalist consumerism?

(E) Hostility- correct
Thompson ……., has probably exaggerated the opposition of these people to the inroads of capitalist consumerism in general
20. In the third paragraph, the author is primarily concerned with

(B) questioning two explanations and proposing a possible alternative to them- correct
Two explanations- 1. ability of manufacturers to advertise in a relatively uncensored press. 2. conspicuous consumption
Alternative proposed- a product of the rise of new concepts of individualism and materialism,
21. According to the passage, a Veblen model of conspicuous consumption has been used to

(C) explain the motivation of eighteenth-century consumers to buy luxury goods- Correct- this is theme of para 3

22. According to the passage, eighteenth-century England and the contemporary world of the passage's readers are

(D) similar in their strong demand for a variety of goods and services- correct- Last line of paragraph
the insatiable demand in eighteenth-century England for frivolous as well as useful goods and services foreshadows our own world.

23. It can be inferred from the passage that the author would most probably agree with which of the following statements about the relationship between the Industrial Revolution and the demand for lUXUry goods and services in eighteenth-century England?

(D) There is no reason to believe that the Industrial Revolution was directly driven by a growing demand for luxury goods and services.- Correct
But does it? What, for example, does the production of high-quality pottery and toys have to do with the development of iron manufacture or textile mills?

q23. "It is perfectly possible to have the psychology and reality of a consumer society without a heavy industrial sector".
E. The increasing demand for luxury goods and services was a cultural phenomenon (psychology of consumer society) that has been conclusively demonstrated to have been separate from the coming of the Industrial Revolution (without a heavy industrial sector)
Moreover, the coming of Industrial Rev as a consequence of growing demand for Luxury goods and services, has been discussed in the passage and the author shows her/his reservation about this point by pointing out possibility of independent existence. Therefore, E seems a right choice

My doubt : can possibility of independent existence refutes the possibility of dependent existence. Has author mentioned such?
option D seems to me a very strong statement (use of "no reason" in option D), which at least mandates an equally strong/explicit suggestion from the author. I am unable to find such strong stance in the paragraph

Please enlighten.

(E) The increasing demand for luxury goods and services was a cultural phenomenon that has been conclusively demonstrated to have been separate from the coming of the Industrial Revolution.
Passage does not mention increasing demand for lux good and services as a cultural phenomenon.
Also, it does not talk about any conclusive demonstration.

Yes, option D is strongly worded but it has more evidence from the passage in its support as compared to E.

I still don't get D , He has clearly rejected the first explanation so he is kinds endoraing other but still raising question


Ah ETS you diabolical genius ! You got me

Siur.

do you need further explanation for the 23rd question ??

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