Although the century between the War of 1812 and the First World War

Question

New Project RC Butler 2019  -  Practice 2 RC Passages Everyday   
Passage # 315, Date : 07-Sep-2019
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Although the century between the War of 1812 and the First World War is accurately depicted as a time of American introspection, if not isolation, the great agony of America’s Civil War could not, and did not, go unnoticed across the sea in Great Britain. Southern secessionists anticipated British cooperation from the outset, pointing to the industrial giant’s reliance on American cotton in its innumerable mills. A prewar cotton glut, however, had reduced Britain’s demand for the South’s staple crop, and although  many captains of British industry , along with some ministers in Lord Palmerston’s government, thought it best to stay in their suppliers’ good graces, the Crown chose to observe a policy of neutrality in the face of Lincoln’s declared and enforced blockade of Southern ports.

Whether Victorian notions of human dignity eventually contributed to Britain’s neutrality is another question. While continuing to rely on such fruits of slavery as cotton and tobacco, Britain herself had abolished slavery across the empire at no small cost. Furthermore, many of Britain’s increasingly powerful working class vocally sided with the Union as the champion of abolition. Far from winning Britain any Northern friends, her explicit refusal to take sides in the conflict earned her the distrust of the Union, a suspicion that flared into hostility over a British firm’s outfitting of a number of ships, including the Alabama, for the Confederacy.   1 
 This is a primary purpose question, as indicated by the phrase primarily concerned with. The task of the question is to determine why the author wrote the passage. The subject of the question is the passage as a whole. In order to answer the question, determine why the author wrote the passage, then evaluate the answer choices, eliminating any choice which does not match the author’s primary purpose. According to the passage, during the Civil War, Southern secessionists anticipated British cooperation based on its reliance on American cotton. However, Britain chose to observe a policy of neutrality. Britain’s explicit refusal to take sides in the conflict earned her the distrust of the Union. So the primary purpose of the passage is to discuss Great Britain’s position regarding the Confederacy and the Union during the Civil War.

Choice A: No. The word cotton is an example of a memory trap. While the passage mentions Britain’s reliance on American cotton in its innumerable mills, this is not the primary purpose of the passage which focuses mainly on the relationship between Britain and the Union and Confederacy.

Choice B: No. The phrase industrial resources is a memory trap. While the passage does discuss industry, it does so in reference to Britain, not to either the Union or Confederacy.

Choice C: No. The phrase Lord Palmerston’s government is recycled language and the word inconsistencies is a memory trap for the phrase some ministers in Lord Palmerston’s government, thought it best to stay in their suppliers’ good graces. While the thoughts of some ministers does contrast with Britain’s policy of neutrality, there is no indication that there were inconsistencies in the policy itself. In fact, the passage mentions Britain’s explicit refusal to take sides in the conflict which implies that it was consistent.

Choice D: Correct. This is a paraphrase of the primary purpose of the passage which is to discuss Great Britain’s position regarding the Confederacy and the Union during the Civil War.

Choice E: No. The phrase American isolationism in the answer choice is a memory trap for American introspection, if not isolation mentioned in the first paragraph. However, this is not the primary purpose of the passage which focuses mainly on the relationship between Britain and the Union and Confederacy.

The correct answer is choice D. 
 1. The passage is primarily concerned with

A. the importance of cotton to British forces during the Civil War
B. contrasting viewpoints on the industrial resources of the Union and the Confederacy
C. inconsistencies in the wartime policies of Lord Palmerston's government
D. relations between Great Britain and the opposing factions of the Civil War 
E. economic turmoil fostered by American isolationism

2 
 The phrase suggests in the question stem indicates that this is an inference question. The task of the question is indicated by the word suggests. The subject of the question is American foreign policy during the nineteenth century. In order to answer the question, determine what the passage states about the subject and evaluate the answer choices, eliminating any choice which cannot be supported by the text. The passage states that the nineteenth century in America can be accurately depicted as a time of American introspection, if not isolation. This suggests that America was focused on domestic issues, not global issues.

Choice A: No. This choice might seem tempting as the passage does discuss Great Britain throughout but this choice is a reversal since the passage states that it was a time of American introspection, if not isolation.
 
Choice B: Correct. During the nineteenth century, America was dominated by introspection, if not isolation. This suggests that America was more concerned with domestic issues rather than foreign issues.

Choice C: No. This answer choice relies upon outside knowledge to be appealing and is a reversal. The reference to destiny to spread democracy to other nations of the world may be tempting to anyone who has studied American history. However, the passage indicates that the nineteenth century can be accurately depicted as a time of American introspection, if not isolation.

Choice D: No. The phrase distrustful foreign governments in the answer choice is a memory trap for the phrase the distrust of the Union in the passage. However, this is a reversal since the passage indicates that the nineteenth century can be accurately depicted as a time of American introspection, if not isolation.

Choice E: No. This choice may seem tempting because the word conflicts is a memory trap for conflict mentioned in the passage. However, this is a reversal since the passage indicates that the nineteenth century can be accurately depicted as a time of American introspection, if not isolation.

The correct answer is choice B.

2. The passage suggests which of the following about American foreign policy during the nineteenth century?

A. The United States government was interested in improving relations with the allies of Great Britain. 
B. America was more concerned with domestic than foreign issues during this time. 
C. Americans believed it was their destiny to spread democracy to other nations of the world.
D. Economic difficulties forced Americans to make concessions to distrustful foreign governments.
E. America was involved in conflicts throughout the Western Hemisphere.

3 
 The phrase would the author most likely agree indicates that this is an evaluation question. The task of the question is indicated by the phrase which of the following statements. The subject of the question is Great Britain's attitude toward the American Civil War. In order to answer the question, determine what the author states about the subject and evaluate the answer choices, eliminating any choice which cannot be supported by the text. According to the passage, a prewar cotton glut, however, had reduced Britain’s demand for the South’s staple crop, and although many captains of British industry, along with some ministers in Lord Palmerston’s government, thought it best to stay in their suppliers’ good graces, the Crown chose to observe a policy of neutrality in the face of Lincoln’s declared and enforced blockade of Southern ports. The second paragraph indicates that Britain herself had abolished slavery across the empire at no small cost. Furthermore, many of Britain’s increasingly powerful working class vocally sided with the Union as the champion of abolition. However, Britain’s explicit refusal to take sides in the conflict earned her the distrust of the Union, a suspicion that flared into hostility over a British firm’s outfitting of a number of ships…for the Confederacy.

Choice A: No. This choice relies upon outside knowledge to be appealing. The phrase concerned for the welfare of their former colonies but refused to become entangled in another war on the American mainland may be tempting to anyone with prior knowledge of British history. However, the passage only mentions the Civil War and no other war on the American mainland. Additionally, the passage mentions only Britain’s policy of neutrality and not its concern for the welfare of   former colonies.

Choice B: No. This choice is a reversal. The passage states that many of Britain’s increasingly powerful working class vocally sided with the Union as the champion of abolition, meaning that they were able to stand by their moral principles.

Choice C: No. The phrase refused to support and the word prove are examples of extreme language. Additionally, the reference to Lord Palmerston is a memory trap. The passage mentions that some ministers in Lord Palmerston’s government, thought it best to stay in their suppliers’   good graces, but it does not address the treatment of slaves.

Choice D: No. The recycled language British industry may make this choice seem tempting. However, this choice requires outside knowledge as the passage never discusses Lincoln’s trade policies. It only mentions his declared and enforced blockade of Southern ports.

Choice E: Correct. The passage states that many captains of British industry, along with some ministers in Lord Palmerston’s government, thought it best to stay in their suppliers’   good graces. While, many of Britain’s increasingly powerful working class vocally sided with the Union as the champion of abolition. This indicates that the two groups disagreed.

The correct answer is choice E.

3. With which of the following statements regarding Great Britain's attitude toward the American Civil War would the author most likely agree?

A. British government ministers were concerned for the welfare of their former colonies but refused to become entangled in another war on the American mainland. 
B. Victorian abolitionists chose to abide by the will of the Crown rather than their moral principles.
C. Lord Palmerston refused to support the Confederates until they could prove that slaves in the South were treated humanely.
D. Leaders of British industry had reservations about Lincoln's trade policies.
E. British workers and industrialists disagreed over the whether to support the Southern secessionists.

4 
 4. Which of the following is cited as a reason Great Britain did not openly support the Confederacy during the Civil War?

A. The use of American cotton in British mills did not conflict with Victorian notions of democracy and fair play.
B. British government and industry were divided over support of the South due to a surplus of the South's major export.
C. Lord Palmerston covertly provided support for the Confederacy by supplying warships.
D. The British government was wary of losing its investments in established Union industries.
E. Improved relations between the nations had resulted in renewed economic ties that British industrial leaders wished to maintain.

5 
 According to the passage, which of the following is an accurate statement concerning the Union's relationship with Great Britain during the Civil War?

A. The Union's initial military defeats led it to seek the assistance of British troops.
B. Few people in the Union believed that a democratic ideal was the motive behind Britain's neutrality.
C. The Union was skeptical about Great Britain's supposed neutrality during the war.
D. The Union was intent on blockading all British ports in the New World.
E. Despite many philosophical differences with England's working class, the Union maintained strong economic ties with British industry.

6 
 Which of the following is an assumption underlying the position held by "many captains of British industry" ( Highlighted ) that Great Britain should support the Confederacy during the Civil War?

A. Great Britain could risk losing a vital source of raw material if it did not support the Secessionist movement.
B. Slavery is an economically inefficient institution and could not be as productive as free labor.
C. The working class in Great Britain would miss tobacco as much as cotton.
D. An attempt to break the Union blockade would turn the working class against the aristocratic government.
E. Great Britain needed to reclaim an industrial base fragmented by the War of 1812.

7 
 7. The passage suggests which of the following about the Southern secessionists at the beginning of the war?

A. They actively pursued relations with the British monarchy in order to lend weight to their cause.
B. They possessed almost all the wealth of the Southern states.
C. Their ability to manipulate the world's cotton supply offsets their lack of battle experience.
D. They supported British sanctions which were imposed on Lincoln's government.
E. they believed their cotton supply guaranteed Britain's assistance in the upcoming conflict.

Alpha14 · Answer

SajjadAhmad  what is the level of this passage ?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Q#1: 650
Q#2: 650
Q#3: 750

1vaibhav · Answer

Please explain the answer of all the three question

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

1. The passage is primarily concerned with

The passage primarily deals with Britain's reaction to the unrest in the United States during the period of the American Civil War and the impact of such reaction on it's relations with the Union.

A. the importance of cotton to British forces during the Civil War  This is barely touched upon in the passage. Eliminate.

B. contrasting viewpoints on the industrial resources of the Union and the Confederacy  The passage does not touch upon the industrial resources of the Union. Eliminate.

C. inconsistencies in the wartime policies of Lord Palmerston's government  The government is stated to have a consistently neutral stand. Eliminate.

D. relations between Great Britain and the opposing factions of the Civil War  Correct. Consistent with our thinking above.

E. economic turmoil fostered by American isolationism  The passage does not talk about the economic consequences of American isolationism. Eliminate.

2. The passage suggests which of the following about American foreign policy during the nineteenth century?

A. The United States government was interested in improving relations with the allies of Great Britain.  This is not mentioned in or implied by any part of the passage. Eliminate.

B. America was more concerned with domestic than foreign issues during this time.  Correct. This is implied when the passage states: "Although the century between the War of 1812 and the First World War is accurately depicted as a time of American introspection,  if not isolation ...".

C. Americans believed it was their destiny to spread democracy to other nations of the world.  This is not mentioned in or implied by any part of the passage. Eliminate.

D. Economic difficulties forced Americans to make concessions to distrustful foreign governments.  This is not mentioned in or implied by any part of the passage. Eliminate.

E. America was involved in conflicts throughout the Western Hemisphere.  This is not mentioned in or implied by any part of the passage. Eliminate.

3. With which of the following statements regarding Great Britain's attitude toward the American Civil War would the author most likely agree?

A. British government ministers were concerned for the welfare of their former colonies but refused to become entangled in another war on the American mainland.  This is not mentioned in or implied by any part of the passage. Eliminate.

B. Victorian abolitionists chose to abide by the will of the Crown rather than their moral principles.  The passage does not specify anything about Victorian  abolitionists  in particular - we don't know whether their position contradicted their moral principles. Eliminate.

C. Lord Palmerston refused to support the Confederates until they could prove that slaves in the South were treated humanely.  This is not mentioned in or implied by any part of the passage. Eliminate.

D. Leaders of British industry had reservations about Lincoln's trade policies.  This is not mentioned in or implied by any part of the passage. Eliminate.

E. British workers and industrialists disagreed over the whether to support the Southern secessionists.  Correct. The position of workers is given as "...many of Britain’s increasingly powerful working class vocally sided with the Union as the champion of abolition" and that of industrialists is given as "many captains of British industry...thought it best to stay in their suppliers’ good graces...". These are clearly opposing positions.

Hope this helps.

GAngstA · Answer

small summary about passage plz....

gurmeet2022 · Answer

very tough passage. 
Does these types of passage common in actual GMAT.
It is very time-consuming. How to read the passage within the time limit?? Experts, please share your views....

shanks2020 · Answer

KarishmaB   MartyTargetTestPrep

Can you please explain question 3 as to where in the passage we can say they differed? what they differed?
What is the "Union"mentioned in the passage?

KarishmaB · Answer

3. With which of the following statements regarding Great Britain's attitude toward the American Civil War would the author most likely agree?

A. British government ministers were concerned for the welfare of their former colonies but refused to become entangled in another war on the American mainland. 
B. Victorian abolitionists chose to abide by the will of the Crown rather than their moral principles.
C. Lord Palmerston refused to support the Confederates until they could prove that slaves in the South were treated humanely.
D. Leaders of British industry had reservations about Lincoln's trade policies.
E. British workers and industrialists disagreed over the whether to support the Southern secessionists.

It is not an official passage and with good reason. It would be difficult to understand, though there are enough clues, in case one doesn't know anything about the American Civil War

From the passage:
 and although many captains of British industry, along with some ministers in Lord Palmerston’s government, thought it best to stay in their suppliers’ good graces (Southern secessionists)...

So industry leaders wanted to support the Southern secessionists

Also given:
 Furthermore, many of Britain’s increasingly powerful working class vocally sided with the Union as the champion of abolition.

The workers sided with the Union (not with the secessionists). Union must be all states together from which the Southern states seceded.

Hence, answer (E)

There are clues to understand these points.

Southern secessionists anticipated British cooperation from the outset, pointing to the industrial giant’s reliance on American cotton in its innumerable mills. A prewar cotton glut, however, had reduced Britain’s demand for the  South’s  staple crop,

Southerners expected that Britishers would help them because British industry was dependent on the cotton that South produced.

Whether Victorian notions of human dignity eventually contributed to Britain’s neutrality is another question. While continuing to rely on such fruits of slavery as cotton and tobacco, Britain herself had abolished slavery

We don't know whether Britain stayed neutral (did not help South) because they wanted to conform to notions of human dignity. Cotton and tobacco industries (in South) must have had slavery and Britain continued to rely on these products though it abolished slavery.

shanks2020 · Answer

KarishmaB

Thanks for the reply.
However, I could not understand from the passage that Secessionists are pitted against the Union. 
Can you plz. let me know how would i understand from the passage this aspect.

KarishmaB · Answer

"Union" means all together and "secession" means to pull away from a union so that helps. As I said before, it would be hard to understand for someone who doesn't know American history and GMAT tries to ensure that there is no regional preference. That said, RC passages will always be some what content driven and you may or may not know about it. Hence, reading on various topics is important, not to recall from memory but to be able to understand when the passage mentions details.

shanks2020 · Answer