Globalization and the Information Age: Postmodernism into the Twenty-First Century — Test
Question 18 • Literature and Composition III
Read the excerpt from David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest . It’s clear that this really pretty sincere yellow Dean at left is Admissions. And surely the little aviarian figure at right is Athletics, then, because the facial creases of the shaggy middle Dean are now pursed in a kind of distanced affront, an I’m-eating-something-that-makes-me-really-appreciate-the-presence-of-whatever-I’m-drinking-along-with-it look that spells professionally Academic reservations. Why does the narrator most likely refer to the deans by their titles rather than their names?
Answer
A
to distance himself from those present
B
to show a personal connection with the group
C
to set a formal tone for the meeting
D
to explain his position in relation to the others
Explanation
The narrator identifies the deans by their roles—Admissions, Athletics, and Academic—rather than treating them as familiar individuals. This makes his description feel detached and emphasizes the professional roles he observes, suggesting he is keeping his distance from the people present. The best answer is “to distance himself from those present.”
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.