Question

This passage was probably written for readers who: F. are experts on how legends are handed down. G. are authorities on ancient British civilization and culture. H. are convinced that Robin Hood was an actual historical personage. J. have some familiarity with the Robin Hood legends.

Short answer

J

Step-by-step solution

- Understand the Question

Identify that the task requires determining the most suitable audience for the passage about Robin Hood legends.

- Analyze the Options

Examine each option carefully: F. Experts on how legends are handed down.G. Authorities on ancient British civilization and culture.H. Convinced that Robin Hood was an actual historical personage.J. Have some familiarity with the Robin Hood legends.

- Eliminate Improbable Answers

Eliminate options that are too specific or unrelated to the general familiarity with the Robin Hood legends:F. Too focused on legendary transmission, not the legends themselves.G. Too broad regarding British civilization and culture.H. Too narrow, assuming belief in Robin Hood's historical existence.

- Choose the Remaining Option

Notice that option J is the most general and suitable for readers who have some familiarity with the Robin Hood legends.

Key concepts

Understanding Robin Hood Legends

The legends of Robin Hood form an essential part of British folklore. These stories recount the adventures of Robin Hood, an outlaw who, along with his band of Merry Men, stole from the rich to give to the poor. These tales have been passed down through generations in various forms, from ballads to plays, and even modern films and TV series.

Knowing the background of these legends helps readers understand the cultural and historical significance of Robin Hood. Some key elements of these legends are:

• Robin Hood's skills as an archer and swordsman
• His conflict with the Sheriff of Nottingham
• Support for the common people against corrupt authorities
• Presence of characters like Little John, Friar Tuck, and Maid Marian

Understanding these aspects prepares readers for deeper insights into the legends. When a passage discusses Robin Hood, it often assumes that the audience has some basic knowledge of these elements.

Reader Familiarity with the Legends

When selecting the right audience for a passage on Robin Hood, familiarity with the legends is crucial. People with a basic understanding can connect better with the material and appreciate the nuances of the text.

Here's why reader familiarity matters:

It allows the reader to follow the story without needing extensive background information.

Familiar readers can better grasp references to specific events or characters within the legends.

They can engage more meaningfully with interpretations and retellings of the legends.

In the context of the exercise, the correct answer (J) emphasizes the importance of this familiarity. Unlike the other options, it does not assume the reader is an expert or has a specific belief about Robin Hood's historicity. Instead, it acknowledges that a general understanding of the legends is sufficient for appreciating the passage.

Identifying the Suitable Audience

Determining the most appropriate audience for a text involves understanding both the content and the reader's background knowledge. For the Robin Hood legends passage, the suitable audience is those who know the basic stories and characters and can follow along without needing extensive explanations.

Here are the steps to identify the correct audience:

• Evaluate the complexity of the text: Determine if it requires specific historical knowledge or general familiarity with the legends.
• Match the content with potential readers: Assess if the text is aimed at experts, general audiences, or enthusiasts of the topic.
• Consider the purpose of the passage: Is it intended to inform, entertain, or educate? This will help in understanding what level of prior knowledge is needed.

For instance, if a passage heavily references the intricate details of how legends are transmitted (Option F), it would be suitable for experts. If it discusses broader aspects of ancient British culture (Option G), it would be for scholars in that field. If it expects readers to believe in Robin Hood's historicity (Option H), it targets a niche audience. Thus, for a general discussion about Robin Hood, option J, with its emphasis on basic familiarity, is the most fitting choice.