Good sense is, of all things among men, the most equally distributed

Question

Good sense is, of all things among men, the most equally distributed; for everyone thinks himself so abundantly provided with it, that even those who are the most difficult to satisfy in everything else, do not usually desire a larger measure of this quality than they already possess. And in this it is not likely that all are mistaken; the conviction is rather to be held as testifying that the power of judging aright and of distinguishing truth from error, which is properly what is called good sense or reason, is by nature equal in all men; and that the diversity of our opinions, consequently, does not arise from some being endowed with a larger share of reason than others, but solely from this, that we conduct our thoughts along different ways, and do not fix our attention on the same objects.

For to be possessed of a vigorous mind is not enough; the prime requisite is to apply it rightly. The greatest minds, as they are capable of the highest excellences, are open likewise to the greatest aberrations; and those who travel very slowly may yet make far greater progress, provided they keep always to the straight road, than those who, while they run, forsake it.

For to be possessed of a vigorous mind is not enough; the prime requisite is to apply it rightly. The greatest minds, as they are capable of the highest excellences, are open likewise to the greatest aberrations; and those who travel very slowly may yet make far greater progress, provided they keep always to the straight road, than those who, while they run, forsake it.    1 
 1. From the information in the passage, each of the following can be concluded about Good Sense EXCEPT:

(A) All men are endowed with it.
(B) It allows to judge and distinguish truth from untruth.
(C) It is equally distributed amongst all human beings.
(D) Its application could vary amongst people.
(E) Differences in opinions can be due to superior good sense.

2 
 2. Which of the following is true of great minds, according to the passage?

(A) They always apply good sense in the best possible manner.
(B) They are not incapable of making mistakes.
(C) They are endowed with a larger share of reason than are others.
(D) They have dedicated their lives solely to the pursuit of truth.
(E) Most great minds apply good sense in poor measures.

3 
 3. What is the primary concern of the author in writing the passage?

(A) To discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Good Sense 
(B) To explore the mind of man 
(C) To advocate the vigorous application of good sense 
(D) To analyze the journeys of great minds
(E) To explain Good Sense and its use by people

Sajjad1994 · Answer

2. Which of the following is true of great minds, according to the passage?

The passage says:

“The greatest minds, as they are capable of the highest excellences, are open likewise to the greatest aberrations.”

This means great minds can achieve great things but are also capable of great errors.

The talk of the town here is  A vs B.

(A)  This is incorrect, the passage says even great minds can go astray.

(B)  This is correct,  “open likewise to the greatest aberrations”  means they are capable of making mistakes.

(C)  Incorrect, the passage says reason is equally distributed.

(D)  This is not stated in the passage.

(E)  Out of scope; the passage doesn’t say  “most”  do so.

Answer: B

repellatquas · Answer

But option B states that they are not capable of making mistakes. Doesn't that make it a wrong choice?

guddo · Answer

2. Which of the following is true of great minds, according to the passage?

The passage says reason is naturally equal in all people; differences in opinion come from how people direct their thinking. It also says having a strong mind is not enough: what matters is applying it correctly, and great minds can achieve great things but can also go far wrong.

A. They always apply good sense in the best possible manner.

Contradicted. The passage says the greatest minds can have the greatest aberrations, so they do not always apply it correctly.

B. They are not incapable of making mistakes.

Supported.  The passage explicitly says great minds are open to great aberrations, meaning they can make serious mistakes.  This matches exactly.

C. They are endowed with a larger share of reason than are others.

Contradicted. The passage says reason is by nature equal in all men.

D. They have dedicated their lives solely to the pursuit of truth.

Not stated. The passage does not discuss dedication or life goals.

E. Most great minds apply good sense in poor measures.

Not stated. The passage says they are capable of great errors, but it does not claim most of them usually apply good sense poorly.

Answer: (B)

guddo · Answer

Option B does not say “they are not capable of making mistakes.”

“Not incapable” is a double negative, so it means  they are capable of making mistakes .

In other words, “incapable” = cannot make mistakes, and “not incapable” = can make mistakes. That matches the passage’s point that great minds are open to  great aberrations .

Good sense is, of all things among men, the most equally distributed

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

Good sense is, of all things among men, the most equally distributed

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

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