If you mention the word pirate to most people, the picture that will

Question

If you mention the word “pirate” to most people, the picture that will come to mind is that of an eye-patch-wearing, cutlass-waving buccaneer on a wooden corsair in the Caribbean, circa 1500-1750. What most people do not realize is that piracy today is alive and well, although the pirates have traded in their corsairs, eye-patches, and cutlasses for speedboats, face masks, and AK-47 machine guns. A recent report by the International Maritime Bureau states that the number of pirate attacks recorded per year tripled between 1993 and 2003, with more than 234 pirate attacks in the first half of 2003 alone. There is evidence that we are entering a new “golden age” of piracy (that is, if a scourge on honest sailors and merchants can be considered “golden”).

In contrast to the pirates of the previous apex of piracy from 1500-1750, most modern pirates tend to occupy not the Caribbean and Mediterranean but rather the waters of the South China Sea, the Straits of Malacca in particular. These pirates take advantage of the heavy traffic in the area. In the most common type of attack a group of masked desperadoes approach a slow-moving cargo ship in a motorboat, perhaps disguised as a fishing vessel, and then sneak onboard the ship and overpower the crew. Modern cargo ships have very small crews, so it is entirely possible for a small band of pirates armed with machine guns to take control of a massive cargo ship in a matter of minutes. Once onboard, the pirates raid the crew’s belongings and the ship’s safe, which often contains the crew’s payroll, and then check the cargo for items light enough and valuable enough to carry off. If the cargo or the captured ship are particularly valuable, the pirates may ruthlessly kill the crew, repaint and rename the ship, and then sell it and its cargo at a foreign port
where few questions will be asked.

People might think that modern technology—radar and modern telecommunications—would help protect ships from piracy. But modern technology is available to pirates as well; indeed, radar and intercepted telecommunications are often how they locate victims in the first place. The truth is that as long as there are ships carrying valuable cargo over the wide expanses of the open sea, there will be amoral pirates prowling those waters for easy money.    1 
 1. Which of the following would make the most appropriate title for the passage above?

A. Causes of and Solutions to the Current Epidemic of Piracy 
B. Speedboats and AK-47’s: My Life Among the Pirates of Malacca
C. Blackbeard: Scourge of the Caribbean
D. The Problem of Modern Piracy in the South China Sea
E. Piracy: From Ancient Phoenicia to the Modern World

2 
 2. Which of the following is NOT offered in the passage as a contrast between pirates of the past and pirates of the present?

A. Cutlass: AK-47 machine gun
B. Spy glasses: radar
C. Mediterranean Sea: South China Sea
D. Corsair: motorboat
E. Eye patch: face mask

3 
 3. According to the information presented in the passage, which of the following situations presents the most likely candidate for a victim of modern piracy?

A. A cruise ship passing through the Cyclades
B. An industrial fishing boat off of Georges Bank
C. A yacht at anchor off the Costa Smeralda of Sardinia
D. A coast guard cutter patrolling the Florida Keys
E. A cargo ship passing through the Straits of Malacca

4 
 4. Which of the following best characterizes the author’s attitude toward pirates as expressed in the tone of the passage?

A. Fond admiration 
B. Grudging respect
C. Ambivalence
D. Disdain
E. Passionate fury

GMAT Club's Reading Comprehension (RC) Quiz-I 2023   
   10 Days | 20 Passages | Win Prizes | Get Better at GMAT   
 Passage # 16  |  Date: 08 March 2023 
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Oppenheimer1945 · Answer

1. Which of the following would make the most appropriate title for the passage above?

A. Causes of and Solutions to the Current Epidemic of Piracy
-no solutions are said in the passage
B. Speedboats and AK-47’s: My Life Among the Pirates of Malacca
-Title should not be concentrated to Malacca only
C. Blackbeard: Scourge of the Caribbean
-Title should not be concentrated to Caribbean only
 D. The Problem of Modern Piracy in the South China Sea (True)
The whole passage talks about issues of modern piracy  
E. Piracy: From Ancient Phoenicia to the Modern World
-Ancient Piracy is used for contrasting with modern piracy. Story of Piracy From Ancient to Modern world is not discussed in the passage.

2. Which of the following is NOT offered in the passage as a contrast between pirates of the past and pirates of the present?

A. Cutlass: AK-47 machine gun (given)
 B. Spy glasses: radar (not given) 
C. Mediterranean Sea: South China Sea(given)
D. Corsair: motorboat (given)
E. Eye patch: face mask (given)

3. According to the information presented in the passage, which of the following situations presents the most likely candidate for a victim of modern piracy?

A. A cruise ship passing through the Cyclades
B. An industrial fishing boat off of Georges Bank
C. A yacht at anchor off the Costa Smeralda of Sardinia
D. A coast guard cutter patrolling the Florida Keys
 E. A cargo ship passing through the Straits of Malacca (true)

In contrast to the pirates of the previous apex of piracy from 1500-1750, most modern pirates tend to occupy not the Caribbean and Mediterranean but rather the waters of the South China Sea, the Straits of Malacca in particular. These pirates take advantage of the heavy traffic in the area. In the most common type of attack a group of masked desperadoes approach a slow-moving cargo ship

4. Which of the following best characterizes the author’s attitude toward pirates as expressed in the tone of the passage?

A. Fond admiration
B. Grudging respect
 C. Ambivalence (True) 
D. Disdain
E. Passionate fury

Author has mixed feelings towards the pirates.

People might think that modern technology—radar and modern telecommunications—would help protect ships from piracy. But modern technology is available to pirates as well; indeed, radar and intercepted telecommunications are often how they locate victims in the first place. The truth is that as long as there are ships carrying valuable cargo over the wide expanses of the open sea, there will be amoral pirates prowling those waters for easy money.

Catman · Answer

P 1:Discuss about piracy, and mentions that is still prevalent in the modern times in similarity to the previous times with certain modern tweaks. 
P2: Modern pirates work from new areas of South China Sea and How most common modern piracy attacks takes place.
P3: Modern technology unable to combat piracy and as per author as long as there are ships carrying cargo, piracy will be there.

1. Which of the following would make the most appropriate title for the passage above?

A. Causes of and Solutions to the Current Epidemic of Piracy  ~ Incorrect, author does not mention any solutions to the piracy, in fact as per author it will be continuous as long as cargo trade will take place.

B. Speedboats and AK-47’s: My Life Among the Pirates of Malacca  ~ Incorrect, paragraph is not a memoir, as author does not mention any personal experience in the passage.

C. Blackbeard: Scourge of the Caribbean  ~ Incorrect, author mention the Caribbean as the previous apex of piracy and the passage is not about that particular area.

D. The Problem of Modern Piracy in the South China Sea  ~ Incorrect, author mentions that the modern piracy moved to the South China Sea, but the author conclusion shows that piracy is still prevelant, main focus is on piracy in general and not to a specific area.

E. Piracy: From Ancient Phoenicia to the Modern World  ~ Correct, author highlight that "There is evidence that we are entering a new “golden age” of piracy" Author compares the ancient pirates locations, weapons with the modern ones. At last author conclude that despite modern technology piracy will continue to stay.

2. Which of the following is NOT offered in the passage as a contrast between pirates of the past and pirates of the present?

Refer to the line What most people do not realize is that piracy today is alive and well, although the pirates have traded in their corsairs, eye-patches, and cutlasses for speedboats, face masks, and AK-47 machine guns.

A. Cutlass: AK-47 machine gun  Incorrect, mentioned in the above line.

B. Spy glasses: radar  ~ Correct, not mentioned.

C. Mediterranean Sea: South China Sea  ~ Incorrect mentioned, Refer to the line "In contrast to the pirates of the previous apex of piracy from 1500-1750, most modern pirates tend to occupy not the Caribbean and Mediterranean but rather the waters of the South China Sea, the Straits of Malacca in particular."

D. Corsair: motorboat  Incorrect, mentioned in the above line.

E. Eye patch: face mask  Incorrect, mentioned in the above line.

3. According to the information presented in the passage, which of the following situations presents the most likely candidate for a victim of modern piracy?

A. A cruise ship passing through the Cyclades   Incorrect, pirates mostly attack the slow moving cargo ships.

B. An industrial fishing boat off of Georges Bank   Incorrect, pirates mostly attack the slow moving cargo ships.

C. A yacht at anchor off the Costa Smeralda of Sardinia   Incorrect, pirates mostly attack the slow moving cargo ships.

D. A coast guard cutter patrolling the Florida Keys   Incorrect, pirates mostly attack the slow moving cargo ships.

E. A cargo ship passing through the Straits of Malacca  ~ Correct, refer to the line "In the most common type of attack a group of masked desperadoes approach a slow-moving cargo ship in a motorboat" Also most pirates tend to occupy not the Caribbean and Mediterranean but rather the waters of the South China Sea, the Straits of Malacca in particular.

4. Which of the following best characterizes the author’s attitude toward pirates as expressed in the tone of the passage?

A. Fond admiration  ~ Incorrect, author is not admiring the pirates, in the passage author represents how piracy works and objectively defines pirates.
 
B. Grudging respect  ~ Incorrect, author does not show respect/ grudge about pirates in the passage, he objectively defines them.
 
C. Ambivalence ~  Author is ambivalent about the pirates, He does not present his attitude (conclusion) about the pirates anywhere in the passage, he objectively defines them and did not any side of right or wrong.

D. Disdain  ~ In Correct, author does not present his attitude about the pirates anywhere in the passage, he objectively defines them and did not any side of right or wrong, he did not demean pirates anywhere in the passage.

E. Passionate fury  ~ Author does not show any anger/ hatred towards pirates anywhere in the passage.

$!vakumar.m · Answer

2. Which of the following is NOT offered in the passage as a contrast between pirates of the past and pirates of the present? 
  A. Cutlass: AK-47 machine gun  
Option A is incorrect because the first paragraph mentions that the pirates have traded in their corsairs, eye-patches, and cutlasses for speedboats, face masks, and AK-47 machine guns.

B. Spy glasses: radar  
Option B is correct because there is no mention of spy glasses in the passage.

C. Mediterranean Sea: South China Sea  
Option C is incorrect because the second paragraph mentions that most modern pirates tend to occupy not the Caribbean and Mediterranean but rather the waters of the South China Sea, the Straits of Malacca in particular.

D. Corsair: motorboat  
Option D is incorrect because the first paragraph mentions that the pirates have traded in their corsairs, eye-patches, and cutlasses for speedboats, face masks, and AK-47 machine guns.

E. Eye patch: face mask  
Option E is incorrect because the first paragraph mentions that the pirates have traded in their corsairs, eye-patches, and cutlasses for speedboats, face masks, and AK-47 machine guns.

3. According to the information presented in the passage, which of the following situations presents the most likely candidate for a victim of modern piracy? 
The second paragraph mentions that most modern pirates tend to occupy not the Caribbean and Mediterranean but rather the waters of the South China Sea, the Straits of Malacca in particular. These pirates take advantage of the heavy traffic in the area. In the most common type of attack a group of masked desperadoes approach a slow-moving cargo ship.   Option E is correct  . Also note that there is no mention of Cyclades, Georges Bank, Costa Smeralda of Sardinia and Florida keys, so option A, B, C and D are out.

4. Which of the following best characterizes the author’s attitude toward pirates as expressed in the tone of the passage?

A. Fond admiration  
Option A is incorrect because author is not praising the pirates or approving their actions.

B. Grudging respect  
Option B is incorrect because the author doesn’t seem to hold any grudges against or respect for the pirates.

C. Ambivalence  
Since the author refers to the pirates as “Desperadoes” and “amoral” he definitely doesn’t hold an ambivalent attitude toward the pirates.

D. Disdain  
The author refers to the pirates as “desperadoes” and he mentions that the pirates may ruthlessly kill the crew. Also, the author mentions that if a scourge on honest sailors and merchants can be considered “golden” then we are entering a new “golden age” of piracy. Also in the concluding line he refers to pirates as amoral - "The truth is that as long as there are ships carrying valuable cargo over the wide expanses of the open sea, there will be amoral pirates prowling those waters for easy money."
Option D is correct.

E. Passionate fury  
The tone of the author doesn’t seem to be of passionate fury.

pintukr · Answer

1. Which of the following would make the most appropriate title for the passage above?

A. Causes of and Solutions to the Current Epidemic of Piracy
 The discussion in the passage relates to the functioning of the piartes..there is no discussion pertaining to the Causes of and Solutions to the maritime piracy in the passage

B. Speedboats and AK-47’s: My Life Among the Pirates of Malacca
 The passage doesn't have autographical hue

C. Blackbeard: Scourge of the Caribbean
 Besides the Carrribean, the piracy techniques in the macca Strait have also been discussed

D. The Problem of Modern Piracy in the South China Sea
 Besides the Problem of Modern Piracy in the South China Sea, the techniques adopten by the Carribean pirates have also been deliberated upon

E. Piracy: From Ancient Phoenicia to the Modern World
  The passage traverses the transformational journey of maritime piracy from 1500-1750AD to the modern day..hence, CORRECT answer

2. Which of the following is NOT offered in the passage as a contrast between pirates of the past and pirates of the present?

A. Cutlass: AK-47 machine gun
 specifically mentioned in lines 5-9 of the 1st paragraph

B. Spy glasses: radar
  NOT mentioned while drawing comparisons between the old and modern piracy constituents..hence, the CORRECT answer

C. Mediterranean Sea: South China Sea
 specifically mentioned in lines 4-5 of the 2nd paragraph

D. Corsair: motorboat
 specifically mentioned in lines 5-9 of the 1st paragraph

E. Eye patch: face mask
 specifically mentioned in lines 5-9 of the 1st paragraph

3. According to the information presented in the passage, which of the following situations presents the most likely candidate for a victim of modern piracy?

A. A cruise ship passing through the Cyclades
 high speed of ships, not vulnerable to piracy

B. An industrial fishing boat off of Georges Bank
 not having the desired riches to be exploited by the pirates

C. A yacht at anchor off the Costa Smeralda of Sardinia
 not having the desired riches to be exploited by the pirates

D. A coast guard cutter patrolling the Florida Keys
 such ship will easily be able to fight with the AK-47 wielding pirates

E. A cargo ship passing through the Straits of Malacca
  owing to slow speed of the cargo ship, and small crew , such cargo ships are particularly vulnerable to maritime piracy..CORRECT answer

4. Which of the following best characterizes the author’s attitude toward pirates as expressed in the tone of the passage?

A. Fond admiration
 the author doesn't admire piracy in any manner

B. Grudging respect
 the author doesn't show respect the piracy in any manner

C. Ambivalence
  the passage is descriptive in nature, relating to techniques adopted by the pirates...neutral tone of the author..CORRECT answer

D. Disdain
 The author deliberates upon the techniques in a neutral hue..there is no disdain expressed in the passage.

E. Passionate fury
 The author doesn't show anger while describing the techniques adopted by the piartes

IMO, the correct sequence of answers will be EBEC

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

1. Which of the following would make the most appropriate title for the passage above?

Explanation

The most appropriate title for the passage above would be "The Problem of Modern Piracy in the South China Sea." The passage discusses how piracy today is alive and well, and how pirates have traded in their corsairs, eye-patches, and cutlasses for speedboats, face masks, and AK-47 machine guns. It further highlights that in contrast to the pirates of the previous apex of piracy from 1500-1750, most modern pirates tend to occupy the waters of the South China Sea, the Straits of Malacca in particular, taking advantage of the heavy traffic in the area. The passage also talks about the most common type of attack carried out by modern pirates, and how modern technology is not enough to protect ships from piracy. Therefore,  (D)  "The Problem of Modern Piracy in the South China Sea" is the most appropriate title for this passage.

Answer: D

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

2. Which of the following is NOT offered in the passage as a contrast between pirates of the past and pirates of the present?

Explanation

The correct answer is  (B) , which is not offered in the passage as a contrast between pirates of the past and pirates of the present. The passage contrasts various aspects of piracy in the past and present, including the use of weapons (cutlass versus AK-47 machine gun), mode of transportation (corsair versus motorboat), location (Mediterranean Sea versus South China Sea), and attire (eye patch versus face mask). However, the passage does not contrast spy glasses and radar. Therefore,  (B)  is the correct answer.

Option (A)  is incorrect because the passage contrasts the cutlass with the AK-47 machine gun.

Option (C)  is incorrect because the passage contrasts piracy in the Mediterranean Sea with piracy in the South China Sea.

Option (D)  is incorrect because the passage contrasts the corsair with the motorboat.

Option (E)  is incorrect because the passage contrasts the eye patch with the face mask.

Answer: B

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

3. According to the information presented in the passage, which of the following situations presents the most likely candidate for a victim of modern piracy?

Explanation

The passage states that modern pirates tend to occupy the waters of the South China Sea, particularly the Straits of Malacca, and that they approach slow-moving cargo ships in motorboats and overpower the crew. Therefore, the most likely candidate for a victim of modern piracy is a cargo ship passing through the Straits of Malacca, so the correct answer is  (E) .

(A)  A cruise ship passing through the Cyclades is unlikely to be a victim of modern piracy as cruise ships are typically large and well-equipped to protect themselves.

(B)  An industrial fishing boat off of Georges Bank is also unlikely to be a victim of modern piracy as they are typically equipped with radar and other technologies to protect themselves.

(C)  A yacht at anchor off the Costa Smeralda of Sardinia is not a likely candidate for a victim of modern piracy as yachts are typically small and would not carry enough valuable cargo to interest pirates.

(D)  A coast guard cutter patrolling the Florida Keys is equipped with weapons and other technologies to protect itself and is therefore not a likely candidate for a victim of modern piracy.

Answer: E

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

4. Which of the following best characterizes the author’s attitude toward pirates as expressed in the tone of the passage?

Explanation

The author’s attitude toward pirates can be inferred from the tone of the passage. The author discusses the evolution of piracy from the traditional image of the eye-patch wearing buccaneer to modern-day pirates armed with machine guns. The author states that piracy today is alive and well, with increasing incidents of pirate attacks. The author explains the tactics used by modern-day pirates and their ability to take control of massive cargo ships in a matter of minutes. The author also highlights the fact that modern technology does not protect ships from piracy. Given the author’s critical and negative portrayal of pirates, the best answer is  (D)  Disdain.

Answer: D

Sajjad1994 · Answer

OAs are revealed, Official explanation is posted.

I accept the quality of this passage is at par as compared to passage #15, but very ordinary response from all four participant. Only  sivakumarm786  did comparatively better.  Catman  the quality of your explanation is lowering day by day. Here is how I rate.

sivakumarm786 = 70
pintukr = 40
Catman and samagra21 = 35

Good luck with DAY 9 questions, we are almost into the conclusive part of this quiz.

Cheers.

Catman · Answer

Yes  Sajjad1994  I know, Thanks for pointing out. I will try to improve in the upcoming passages. Also, I will be reviewing my previous answers this weekend and will try to provide better explanation.

Elite097 · Answer

Sajjad1994  please check your DM. I had submitted this answer but I saw yestetday morning that even after clicking sublit three times , due to some technical glitch from GMAT club it still did not get posted. Kindly consider this. This is the response as is.

1. Which of the following would make the most appropriate title for the passage above?

A. Causes of and Solutions to the Current Epidemic of Piracy
There is only 1 solution given which is also not a complete solution since that solution will not work and also causes are not discussed but the whole piracy act is discussed

B. Speedboats and AK-47’s: My Life Among the Pirates of Malacca
This passage is not an autobiography

C. Blackbeard: Scourge of the Caribbean
The entire passage is not only about Carribbean but also south china sea

D. The Problem of Modern Piracy in the South China Sea
Piracy in general is a problem and hence specfying the problem of piracy in China does not give a clear picture as not clear what the specific problem is

E. Piracy: From Ancient Phoenicia to the Modern World- 
The passage is essentially talking about continuation of piracy from before till present and descriing how the piracy takes place

Ans E

2. Which of the following is NOT offered in the passage as a contrast between pirates of the past and pirates of the present?

A. Cutlass: AK-47 machine gun-- 
This is cited in first para "although the pirates have traded in their corsairs, eye-patches, and cutlasses for speedboats, face masks, and AK-47 machine guns"

B. Spy glasses: radar- 
Not mentioned

C. Mediterranean Sea: South China Sea-
 This is cited in first and second para "although the pirates have traded in their corsairs, eye-patches, and cutlasses for speedboats, face masks, and AK-47 machine guns"

D. Corsair: motorboat- 
This is cited in first para "although the pirates have traded in their corsairs, eye-patches, and cutlasses for speedboats, face masks, and AK-47 machine guns"

E. Eye patch: face mask- 
This is cited in first para "although the pirates have traded in their corsairs, eye-patches, and cutlasses for speedboats, face masks, and AK-47 machine guns"

Ans B

3. According to the information presented in the passage, which of the following situations presents the most likely candidate for a victim of modern piracy?

A. A cruise ship passing through the Cyclades
No idea about where Cyclades is located

B. An industrial fishing boat off of Georges Bank
No idea about where Georges Bank is located

C. A yacht at anchor off the Costa Smeralda of Sardinia
No idea about where Sardinia is located

D. A coast guard cutter patrolling the Florida Keys
We cannot conclude anything about piracy on coast.

E. A cargo ship passing through the Straits of Malacca- 
The passage has set up modern piracy in Straits of Malacca and indicated incidence on a cargo ship so this is the most vulnerable to attack. Also they prefer cargo ships cuz less guarded and because they find cargo on it

Ans E

4. Which of the following best characterizes the author’s attitude toward pirates as expressed in the tone of the passage?

The tone of the author is negative throught the passage through the citation of examples and contrast given against people's beliefs. The passage maintains one flo of tone and does not offer any positive aspects

A. Fond admiration- No example indicates admiration for pirates
B. Grudging respect- No example indicates respect for the pirates
C. Ambivalence- The author's tonality is not characterised with contradictory ideas
D. Disdain- The examples cited indicate the author does not have respect
E. Passionate fury- This is too expressive and the tone is neutral and not angry

Ans D

Sajjad1994 · Answer

The responses posted after 24 hours cannot be included, but having said that you submit it but it didn't get in I will add your 50% weightage in the quiz for this one.

If you mention the word pirate to most people, the picture that will

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

If you mention the word pirate to most people, the picture that will

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615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

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