THE CORRECT ANSWER IS D. THE QUESTION ASKS US TO IDENTIFY AN ASSUM...
36. The correct answer is D.
The question asks us to identify an assumption that the author
makes about biographies. This question is open-ended, so the best
approach is simply to evaluate the choices one by one. Since an
assumption is an unstated piece of evidence that is necessary to
complete the logic of an argument, we are looking for an answer
choice that completes the logic of the passage.
Choice A: Does the author assume that the main purpose of
biographies is to inform readers about key aspects of the subjects'
personalities? This is not essential to the logic of the passage.
Incorrect.
Choice B: Does the author assume that only subjects who share
traits with biographers make good subjects for biographies? This
actually contradicts the passage. Incorrect.
Choice C: Does the author assume that compelling biographies
cannot be written about ordinary citizens? This is not essential to
the logic of the passage. Incorrect.
Choice D: Does the author assume that the biographer's credibility
with readers is a factor in the critical success of a biography? Yes. In
the second paragraph, the author discusses the biographer's
knowledge of his subject's field. If the author did not assume that
this was an important factor, this part of the paragraph would be
meaningless. Correct.
Choice E: Does the author assume that practical considerations are
most important in the selection of a subject for a biography? While
the author does mention practical considerations, these are never
implied as "most" important. Incorrect.