求助一道阅读题

In 1755 British writer Samuel Johnson published an acerbic letter to Lord Chesterfieldrebuking his patron for neglect and declining further support. Johnson’s rejection of hispatron’s belated assistance has often been identified as a key moment in the history ofpublishing, marking the end of the culture of patronage. However, patronage had been indecline for 50 years, yet would survive, in attenuated form, for another 50. Indeed,Johnson was in 1762 awarded a pension by the Crown—a subtle form of sponsorship,tantamount to state patronage. The importance of Johnson’s letter is not so much historical asemotional; it would become a touchstone for all who repudiated patrons and for all whoembraced the laws of the marketplace.
2. Which of the following best describes the function of the highlighted phrase in the context ofthe passage as a whole? (patronage had been in decline for 50 years, yet would survive, inattenuated form, for another 50)
A. It points out the most obvious implications of Johnson’s letter to his patron.
B. It suggests a motivation for Johnson’s rejection of Chesterfield’ s patronage.
C. It provides information that qualifies the assertion that Johnson’s letter sharply defined ofthe end of a publishing era.
D. It provides a possible defense for Chesterfield’s alleged neglect of Johnson.
E. It refutes the notion the patrons are found primarily among the nobility.

答案选择是C。黑色的这句话前面有一个However，加上后面又说他领取了养老金。这两个不都是在质疑前面assertion：