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.