Passage (Michael Faraday, *The Chemical History of a Candle*, Lecture I, 1860–61): "I purpose, in return for the honour you do us by coming to see what are our proceedings here, to bring before you, in the course of these lectures, the Chemical History of a Candle. I have taken this subject on a former occasion; and were it left to my own will, I should prefer to repeat it almost every year — so abundant is the interest that attaches itself to the subject, so wonderful are the varieties of outlet which it offers into the various departments of philosophy. There is not a law under which any part of this universe is governed which does not come into play, and is touched upon in these phenomena. There is no better, there is no more open door by which you can enter into the study of natural philosophy, than by considering the physical phenomena of a candle. And before proceeding, let me say this also — that though our subject be so great, and our intention that of treating it honestly, seriously, and philosophically, yet I mean to pass away from all those who are seniors amongst us. I claim the privilege of speaking to juveniles as a juvenile myself." Which of the following can be **inferred** from the second paragraph?
AFaraday will exclude all adults from his lectures.
BFaraday intends to use only technical, advanced language in his lectures.
CFaraday regards juveniles as inferior listeners but will tolerate them.
DFaraday plans to address his lectures primarily to young listeners and adopt a manner suited to them.
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. Faraday plans to address his lectures primarily to young listeners and adopt a manner suited to them.
Two phrases do the work. First, "I mean to pass away from all those who are seniors amongst us" — Faraday turns *away from* the senior audience. Second, "I claim the privilege of speaking to juveniles as a juvenile myself" — he aligns his manner with the *young listeners* by claiming juvenile status alongside them. Together these announce both an audience choice and a register choice.
- **A** overreads *pass away from* as physical exclusion. Faraday's seniors are still in the room; he is choosing not to address them in particular.
- **C** contradicts the deliberate adoption of a juvenile manner.
- **D** mistakes Faraday's posture: he claims juvenile status *himself*, which is the opposite of regarding them as inferior.
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