Digital SAT Reading and Writing Practice Question #784

Text 1 While many critics laud modernist architecture for its strict functionalist ethos and rejection of superficial ornamentation, they fundamentally ignore the severe psychological toll of these sterile environments. By stripping buildings down to bare concrete and steel, modernists like Le Corbusier created imposing spaces that alienate their inhabitants. These architects prioritized abstract geometric perfection over fundamental human comfort, resulting in residential structures that feel more like industrial holding pens than actual homes. Text 2 The brilliance of the twentieth-century modernist architectural movement lies not merely in its aesthetic minimalism, but in its profound democratization of urban space. By intentionally discarding expensive, bespoke ornamentation in favor of mass-produced, utilitarian materials like exposed steel and poured concrete, modernism allowed for the rapid construction of high-quality, structurally sound housing for the working class. It powerfully proved that excellent, durable design need not be an exclusive luxury commodity reserved for the wealthy. Based on the texts, how would the author of Text 2 most likely respond to the specific critique presented in Text 1 regarding the use of 'bare concrete and steel'?