Some historians contend that conditions in the United States during th

Question

Some historians contend that conditions in the United States during the Second World War gave rise to a dynamic wartime alliance between trade unions and the African American community, an alliance that advanced the cause of civil rights. They conclude that the postwar demise of this vital alliance constituted a lost opportunity for the civil rights movement that followed the war. Other scholars, however, have portrayed organized labor as defending all along the relatively privileged position of White workers relative to African American workers. Clearly, these two perspectives are not easily reconcilable, but the historical reality is not reducible to one or the other.

Unions faced a choice between either maintaining the prewar status quo or promoting a more inclusive approach that sought for all members the right to participate in the internal affairs of unions, access to skilled and high-paying positions within the occupational hierarchy, and protection against management's arbitrary authority in the workplace. While union representatives often voiced this inclusive ideal, in practice unions far more often favored entrenched interests. The accelerating development of the civil rights movement following the Second World War exacerbated the unions' dilemma, forcing trade unionists to confront contradictions in their own practices.

1. The passage is primarily concerned with

A. providing a context within which to evaluate opposing viewpoints about a historical phenomenon
B. identifying a flawed assumption underlying one interpretation of a historical phenomenon
C. assessing the merits and weaknesses of a controversial theory about a historical phenomenon
D. discussing the historical importance of the development of a wartime alliance
E. evaluating evidence used to support a particular interpretation of a historical phenomenon

2. According to the passage, the historians (at the beginning) and the scholars (highlight) disagree about the

A. contribution made by organized labor to the war effort during the Second World War
B. issues that union members considered most important during the Second World War
C. relationship between unions and African Americans during the Second World War
D. effect of the Second World War on the influence of unions in the workplace
E. extent to which African Americans benefited from social and political changes following the Second World War

3. Which of the following best describes the purpose of the first sentence (highlight) in the second paragraph in the passage?

A. To summarize a situation confronted by unions during the Second World War
B. To summarize the role of unions in the workplace during the Second World War
C. To explain the philosophy supported by most unions during the Second World War
D. To assess the effect of the growth of the civil rights movement on unions during the Second World War
E. To present a criticism of the unions' approach to representing workers during the Second World War

4. Which of the following best summarizes the opinion of the author of the passage regarding the two points of view presented in the first paragraph (highlight) ?

A. Neither point of view reflects the views of certain African American historians on trade unions during the Second World War.
B. Neither point of view reflects the full complexity of the historical reality.
C. One point of view is based on more reliable research than is the other.
D. Both points of view have misinterpreted recent research on trade unions during the Second World War.
E. The two points of view can be readily harmonized into a coherent interpretation.

5. The "unions' dilemma" (highlight) mentioned in the highlighted text can best be described as the question of whether or not to

A. pressure management to create more skilled and high-paying positions
B. fight for greater union participation in management decisions
C. include minority workers in their membership
D. extend full rights and benefits to all their members
E. emphasize the recruitment of new members over serving the needs of current members

6. Which of the following best summarizes a point of view attributed to the historians mentioned in the highlighted text? ('Some historians, line 1')

A. Trade unions were weakened during the Second World War by their failure to establish a productive relationship with the African American community.
B. Trade unions and the African American community forged a lasting relationship after the Second World War based on their wartime alliance.
C. The cause of civil rights was not significantly affected by the wartime alliance between trade unions and the African American community.
D. The civil rights movement that followed the Second World War forced trade unions to confront contradictions in their practices.
E. The civil rights movement would have benefited from a postwar continuation of the wartime alliance between trade unions and the African American community

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Source : GMATPREP Default Exam Pack

Source of Passage : JOURNAL ARTICLE
Organized Labor and the Struggle for Black Equality in Mobile during World War II
Bruce Nelson
The Journal of American History
Vol. 80, No. 3 (Dec., 1993), pp. 952-988
Published by: Oxford University Press on behalf of Organization of American Historians
DOI: 10.2307/2080410
https://www.jstor.org/stable/2080410
Page Count: 37

Some historians contend that conditions in the United States during the Second World War gave rise to a Line dynamic wartime alliance between trade unions and the African American community, an alliance that advanced the cause of civil rights. They conclude that the postwar demise of this vital alliance constituted a lost opportunity for the civil rights movement that followed the war. Other scholars, however, have portrayed organized labor as defending all along the relatively privileged position of White workers relative to African American workers. Clearly, these two perspectives are not easily reconcilable, but the historical reality is not reducible to one or the other.

Unions faced a choice between either maintaining the prewar status quo or promoting a more inclusive approach that sought for all members the right to participate in the internal affairs of unions, access to skilled and high-paying positions within the occupational hierarchy, and protection against management's arbitrary authority in the workplace. While
union representatives often voiced this inclusive ideal, in practice unions far more often favored entrenched interests. The accelerating development of the civil rights movement
following the Second World War exacerbated the union's dilemma, forcing trade unionists to confront contradictions in their own practices.

According to the passage, the historians mentioned in the first highlighted portion of text and the scholars mentioned in the second highlighted portion disagree about the
(A) contribution made by organized labor to the war effort during the Second World War
(B) issues that union members considered most important during the second World war.
(C) relationship between unions and African Americans during the Second World War.
(D) effect of the Second World War on the influence of unions in the workplace
(E) extent to which African Americans benefited from social and political changes following the Second World War.

OA=C

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Show Answer Question #1

Official Answer

A

Show Answer Question #2

Official Answer

C

Show Answer Question #3

Official Answer

A

Show Answer Question #4

Official Answer

B

Show Answer Question #5

Official Answer

D

Show Answer Question #6

Official Answer

E

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Skywalker18 · Accepted Answer

Took almost 11 mins to answer 6 questions , including 3 mins to read the passage . All correct though .

1. The passage is primarily concerned with
A. providing a context within which to evaluate opposing viewpoints about a historical phenomenon -- the 2 views are of some historians and other scholars as stated in first paragraph.

2. According to the passage, the historians (at the beginning) and the scholars (highlight) disagree about the
C. relationship between unions and African Americans during the Second World War 
-- View 1 (of historians) - dynamic wartime alliance between trade unions and the African American community, an alliance that advanced the cause of civil rights. They conclude that the postwar demise of this vital alliance constituted a lost opportunity for the civil rights movement that followed the war.
-- View 2(scholars) -- organized labor as defending all along the relatively privileged position of White workers relative to African American workers

3.Which of the following best describes the purpose of the first sentence (highlight) in the second paragraph in the passage? 
A. To summarize a situation confronted by unions during the Second World War --Unions faced a choice between either maintaining the prewar status quo or promoting a more inclusive approach that sought for all members.....

4. Which of the following best summarizes the opinion of the author of the passage regarding the two points of view presented in the first paragraph (highlight) ?

B. Neither point of view reflects the full complexity of the historical reality. --Clearly, these two perspectives are not easily reconcilable, but the historical reality is not reducible to one or the other.

5. The "unions' dilemma" (highlight) mentioned in the highlighted text can best be described as the question of whether or not to
D. extend full rights and benefits to all their members --refer first few lines of para 2

6. Which of the following best summarizes a point of view attributed to the historians mentioned in the highlighted text? ('Some historians, line 1')
E. The civil rights movement would have benefited from a postwar continuation of the wartime alliance between trade unions and the African American community --They conclude that the postwar demise of this vital alliance constituted a lost opportunity for the civil rights movement that followed the war.

minhaz3333 · Answer

Hello ,

For your help, First lets understand how can we derive a main point - 
from the para 1, Author gives   two contradicting views on a historical phenomenon(the alliance of trade union and African Americans).  
but in the last line Author mentions - the historical reality is not reducible to one(view point of some historians) or the other(view point of other scholars). 
from para 2 , Author here gives his opinion about actually what happened.
  Trade Union's dilemma    (why the contradiction between two viewpoints mentioned in the para 1 happened.!)
Now you can form a main point about the passage by combining the two main points of para 1 and para 2.

presenting the two viewpoints about alliance and then evaluating the phenomenon.   (the option A)

option D is wrong because it contains the partial scope (only represent a detail in paragraph one.)
another thing is 
 discussing the  historical importance of the development of  a wartime alliance.
the bold part is really not the point author wants to convey us.
I do not see that the "importance of the development of the alliance between TU and AA" is the main purpose why author wrote the Passage.

I hope it helps.

AndreiGMAT · Answer

2. According to the passage, the historians (at the beginning) and the scholars (highlight) disagree about the

A. contribution made by organized labor to the war effort during the Second World War

passage did not mention anything about contribution

B. issues that union members considered most important during the Second World War

nothing said about issues either

C. relationship between unions and African Americans during the Second World War

Yes. Histories contend: African Americans should make alliance with trade unions. Scholars concider organized labor as defending all along the relatively privileged position of White workers relative to African American workers. Obviously, Scholars don't want an alliance between AA and trade unions.

D. effect of the Second World War on the influence of unions in the workplace

the historians did not disagree on that

E. extent to which African Americans benefited from social and political changes following the Second World War

Nowhere in the passage it states that AA benefited from social and political changes following the Second World War

AndreiGMAT · Answer

To answer a first question, let's fist find the Conclusion of the passage:  Clearly, these two perspectives are not easily reconcilable, but the historical reality is not reducible to one or the other.

Two perspectives = opposing viewpoints. The fist paragraph gives information about two opposing theories. The second paragraph provides evidences about the challenges that trade unions faced after WWII.

1. The passage is primarily concerned with

A. providing a context within which to evaluate opposing viewpoints about a historical phenomenon
  I would not say it is the best answer, rather it is the closest one. The passage talks about two opposing theorie and provides evidences to evaluate them.  
B. identifying a flawed assumption underlying one interpretation of a historical phenomenon
  There are two distinct theories, not a historical phenomenon.   
C. assessing the merits and weaknesses of a controversial theory about a historical phenomenon
  The passage merely says that the theories were contradictory, without assessing of their merits and weaknesses  
D. discussing the historical importance of the development of a wartime alliance
  The war alliance between U.S., Britain, France, USSR was important, but it is not mentioned in the passage  
E. evaluating evidence used to support a particular interpretation of a historical phenomenon
  There were two distinct theories, not a historical phenomenon.

oasis90 · Answer

1. The passage is primarily concerned with
A. providing a context within which to evaluate opposing viewpoints about a historical phenomenon
B. identifying a flawed assumption underlying one interpretation of a historical phenomenon
C. assessing the merits and weaknesses of a controversial theory about a historical phenomenon
D. discussing the historical importance of the development of a wartime alliance
E. evaluating evidence used to support a particular interpretation of a historical phenomenon

Can someone please explain why D is NOT the answer. I can see why A is the answer but I can not see why D is not the answer. The passage does talk about a wartime alliance between Trade unions and African american community and discusses in the first paragraph 2 views that relate to its importance to the civil rights movement. I can see how A is a better answer but am trying to find strong reasons to reject D.

Moussaillon · Answer

2. According to the passage, the historians (at the beginning) and the scholars disagree about the

A. contribution made by organized labor to the war effort during the Second World War
B. issues that union members considered most important during the Second World War
C. relationship between unions and African Americans during the Second World War
D. effect of the Second World War on the influence of unions in the workplace
E. extent to which African Americans benefited from social and political changes following the Second World War

I chose E instead of C for this question since the passage states:
 "an alliance that advanced the cause of civil rights. They conclude that the postwar demise of this vital alliance  constituted a lost opportunity for the civil rights movement that followed the war "

It appears that there was a clear relationship between unions and African Americans during the second World War (and it seems to be confirmed many times in the passage), however I have the feeling that the disagreement and the different visions are about the changes after the WW. Therefore, I answered E since it's about the extent of the benefits of these changes.

Can anyone help me with this issue please ? 
Thanks in advance,

Sneha2021 · Answer

Moussaillon

To answer your question, let's try to understand the views of scholars:
Scholar 1 - Second World War gave rise to a dynamic wartime alliance between trade unions and the African American community, an alliance that advanced the cause of civil rights - (The trade unions had a good relationship with the African-American community. But this alliance was not present post WW. The civil rights movement didn't occur bcz of the demise of this alliance.  During WW, they had a good relationship )
Scholar 2 - Other scholars, however, have portrayed organized labor as defending all along the relatively privileged position of White workers relative to African American workers. - (The Trade unions supported White whereas African American didn't supported in the same way.  During WW, the relationship of trade unions and African-American community wasn't good )

We need to analyse both the views to see that they had a different POV about the relationship. 
The passage does talk about about "African Americans benefited from social and political changes" or "Changes after the WW" in first para. We are discussing relationship during WW and not post WW. That is why C is the answer.

I hope it helps.

PS: I am not an expert.

stutim96 · Answer

EMPOWERgmatVerbal   GMATNinja 
For Q1: Primary purpose of the passage, why did we eliminate option D : discussing the historical importance of the development of a wartime alliance?

GMATNinja · Answer

Question 1 
 
To answer primary purpose questions, first break down the structure of the passage as a whole:

In the first paragraph, the author introduces  two contrasting perspectives.  One view is that unions aligned themselves with the African American community during WWII. The other view is that unions did NOT align themselves with the African American community at all, but instead protected the privileged position of white workers.

In the second paragraph, the author explains how  BOTH of these positions are, to some extent, correct . Unions often  talked  about being inclusive, but in reality their  actions  favored the status quo. This created a dilemma, and unions were forced to confront the contradictions in their practices.

So, which answer choice captures this analysis?
 
Hmm. The author discusses and validates two positions: one that says unions DID align with the African American community, and one that said unions DIDN'T form such an alliance.

Because the author argues that, in some respects,  there was never a true alliance between these two groups,  his/her primary purpose can't be to discuss the importance of that alliance. Instead, the author is making a more nuanced argument about whether this alliance existed in the first place.

(D) is out.

Here's (A):
 
This is a much better fit. The author evaluates and gives context for two contrasting positions.

(A) is the correct answer to question 1.

I hope that helps!

Will2020 · Answer

Hi KarishmaB ! On question 2, why D & E are wrong? Thank you!

KarishmaB · Answer

2. According to the passage, the historians (at the beginning) and the scholars ( highlight ) disagree about the

A. contribution made by organized labor to the war effort during the Second World War
B. issues that union members considered most important during the Second World War
C. relationship between unions and African Americans during the Second World War
D. effect of the Second World War on the influence of unions in the workplace
E. extent to which African Americans benefited from social and political changes following the Second World War

Some historians contend that conditions in the United States during the Second World War gave rise to a dynamic wartime alliance between trade unions and the African American community, an alliance that advanced the cause of civil rights...
Other scholars, however, have portrayed organized labor as defending all along the relatively privileged position of White workers relative to African American workers...
 
Historians believe that there was a wartime alliance between trade unions and African Americans. Scholars believe that the trade unions were supporting whites all along (so there was no alliance).

C. relationship between unions and African Americans during the Second World War
Hence, (C) is correct.

D. effect of the Second World War on the influence of unions in the workplace

Workplace doesn't even appear till the second paragraph. So this is not what historians and highlighted scholars disagree about.

E. extent to which African Americans benefited from social and political changes following the Second World War

Again, the two are not discussing the benefit to African Americans from social and political changes changes post war.

pratishtha1210 · Answer

hi  GMATNinja

Can you please explain question 3

3.Which of the following best describes the purpose of the first sentence (highlight) in the second paragraph in the passage?

A. To summarize a situation confronted by unions during the Second World War
B. To summarize the role of unions in the workplace during the Second World War
C. To explain the philosophy supported by most unions during the Second World War
D. To assess the effect of the growth of the civil rights movement on unions during the Second World War
E. To present a criticism of the unions' approach to representing workers during the Second World War

From my understanding how can A be the ans ? how do we know union faced dilemma  during the second world war.  it might have faced postwar also right?
why other choices are wrong?

GMATNinja · Answer

Question 3 
 
Question 3 asks about the role of this piece of the passage:
 
Here, the author describes a dilemma that unions faced. Later in the second paragraph, we learn that certain events  after  WWII exacerbated this dilemma.

So, we can say that the author includes the highlighted sentence in order to summarize a situation confronted by unions  during  the Second World War. He/she then discusses the post-war period in a different sentence.

(A) is the correct answer for question 3.

Here are the other options:
 
The purpose of the sentence is to describe a specific  dilemma  that unions faced, not to give us a full summary of the role of unions in the workplace. Eliminate (B).

The sentence includes  both  sides of a certain issue, so we can't say that it explains which philosophy most unions actually supported. (C) is out.

The last sentence discusses the effect of the growth of the civil rights movement on unions. The highlighted sentence really doesn't talk about the growth of the civil rights movement, so get rid of (D).

The author doesn't  criticize  the unions' approach in this sentence -- instead, he/she just lays out a dilemma that unions faced. So (E) is out.

I hope that helps!

KittyDoodles · Answer

Hi  GMATNinja

What is the "historical phenomenon" as stated in option A? How does option A cover para 2?

Thanks

GMATNinja · Answer

Question 1

The historical phenomenon is the wartime alliance between trade unions and the African American community. Some historians think that this was a  true  alliance that "advanced the cause of civil rights." Other historians think that the alliance was never that great, and that unions "defend  all along the relatively privileged position of White workers relative to African American workers." All of this can be found in paragraph 1.

In paragraph 2, the author evaluates these opposing positions, finding some merit in both.

Overall, then, the passage is primarily concerned with "providing a context within which to evaluate opposing viewpoints about a historical phenomenon," as stated in (A).

I hope that helps!

VerbalBot · Answer

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