Historians who study European women of the Renaissance try to measure

Question

Historians who study European women of the Renaissance try to measure “independence,” “options,” and other indicators of the degree to which the expression of women’s individuality was either permitted or suppressed. Influenced by Western individualism, these historians define peculiar form of personhood: an innately bounded unit, autonomous and standing apart from both nature and society. An anthropologist, however, would contend that a person can be conceived in ways other than as an “individual.” In many societies a person’s identity is not intrinsically unique and self-contained but instead is defined within a complex web of social relationships.

In her study of the fifteenth-century Florentine widow Alessandra Strozzi, a historian who specializes in European women of the Renaissance attributes individual intention and authorship of actions to her subject. This historian assumes that Alessandra had goals and interests different from those of her sons, yet much of the historian’s own research reveals that Alessandra acted primarily as a champion of her sons’ interests, taking their goals as her own. Thus Alessandra conforms more closely to the anthropologist’s notion that personal motivation is embedded in a social context. Indeed, one could argue that Alessandra did not distinguish her personhood from that of her sons. In Renaissance Europe the boundaries of the conceptual self were not always firm and closed and did not necessarily coincide with the boundaries of the bodily self.  
RC00097-02
 1  
71. According to the passage, much of the research on Alessandra Strozzi done by the historian mentioned in the second paragraph supports which of the following conclusions?

(A) Alessandra used her position as her sons' sole guardian to further interests different from those of her sons.
(B) Alessandra unwillingly sacrificed her own interests in favor of those of her sons.
(C) Alessandra's actions indicate that her motivations and intentions were those of an independent individual.
(D) Alessandra's social context encouraged her to take independent action.
(E) Alessandra regarded her sons' goals and interests as her own.

RC00097-03
 2  
72. In the first paragraph, the author of the passage mentions a contention that would be made by an anthropologist most likely in order to

(A) present a theory that will be undermined in the discussion of a historian's study later in the passage
(B) offer a perspective on the concept of personhood that can usefully be applied to the study of women in Renaissance Europe
(C) undermine the view that the individuality of European women of the Renaissance was largely suppressed
(D) argue that anthropologists have applied the Western concept of individualism in their research
(E) lay the groundwork for the conclusion that Alessandra's is a unique case among European women of the Renaissance whose lives have been studied by historians

RC00097-04
 3  
73. The passage suggests that the historians referred to in line 1 make which of the following assumptions about Renaissance Europe?

(A) That anthropologists overestimate the importance of the individual in Renaissance European society
(B) That in Renaissance Europe, women were typically allowed to express their individuality
(C) That European women of the Renaissance had the possibility of acting independently of the social context in which they lived
(D) That studying an individual such as Alessandra is the best way to draw general conclusions about the lives of women in Renaissance Europe
(E) That people in Renaissance Europe had greater personal autonomy than people do currently

RC00097-05
 4  
74. It can be inferred that the author of the passage believes which of the following about the study of Alessandra Strozzi done by the historian mentioned in the second paragraph?

(A) Alessandra was atypical of her time and was therefore an inappropriate choice for the subject of the historian's research.
(B) In order to bolster her thesis, the historian adopted the anthropological perspective on personhood.
(C) The historian argues that the boundaries of the conceptual self were not always firm and closed in Renaissance Europe.
(D) In her study, the historian reverts to a traditional approach that is out of step with the work of other historians of Renaissance Europe.
(E) The interpretation of Alessandra's actions that the historian puts forward is not supported by much of the historian's research.

RC00097-06
 5  
75. The passage suggests that the historian mentioned in the second paragraph would be most likely to agree with which of the following assertions regarding Alessandra Strozzi?

(A) Alessandra was able to act more independently than most women of her time because she was a widow.
(B) Alessandra was aware that her personal motivation was embedded in a social context.
(C) Alessandra had goals and interests similar to those of many other widows in her society.
(D) Alessandra is an example of a Renaissance woman who expressed her individuality through independent action.
(E) Alessandra was exceptional because she was able to effect changes in the social constraints placed upon women in her society.

https://muse.jhu.edu/article/363759

Understanding Gender Inequality in Renaissance Florence: Personhood and Gifts of Maternal Inheritance by Women 
 Thomas Kuehn
Journal of Women's History
Johns Hopkins University Press 
Volume 8, Number 2, Summer 1996
p. pp. 58-80

RC00097-02
RC00097-03
RC00097-04
RC00097-05
RC00097-06

GMATNinja · Accepted Answer

Thanks for chipping in,  aragonn !

I'll try phrasing the reasoning a little bit differently, in case that helps anybody. I'll be relatively quick with the choices that we all had no trouble eliminating, and add a little more detail on why (D) is the best option.

But first, let's be clear on the question:
 
We are looking for the choice that best matches what  the historian  believes (according to the passage). We're  not  looking for a statement that Alessandra herself would believe. We're also  not  looking for a statement that the author would believe.

We also know that, according to the author, this historian applied an individualistic view to Alessandra when that view was not necessarily reflective of Alessandra's own motivations and social context.

There is no mention that the historian thought Alessandra acted  more independently than most women . Eliminate (A).

The historian never suggested that Alessandra  was aware  of this phenomenon. The author of the passage doesn't mention this, either. If anything, the author suggests that Alessandra didn't show any awareness of this, because Alessandra herself didn't distinguish her personhood from that of her sons. Eliminate (B).

The passage never makes this comparison and never comments on whether/how the historian would have made this comparison. Eliminate (C).

This choice looks good! It matches what we know about the historian, who "attributes individual intention and authorship of actions to her subject. The historian assumes that Alessandra had goals and interest different from those of her sons." These statements tell us that the historian views her subjects, including Alessandra, as autonomous individuals.

Also note how this fits right into the overall structure of this passage. The purpose of the second paragraph is to provide an example of the bigger point that the author makes in the first paragraph. So the author is bringing up this historian because the historian is part of a bigger group of Renaissance historians who define "personhood" in terms of an individualistic identity.

All of this shows that the historian would likely agree with this choice, so we'll keep (D) around.

The passage never mentions this, and certainly doesn't connect this thought to the historian's beliefs. Eliminate (E).

(D) is, far and away, our best choice. POE certainly helps us out here, but it's also remarkably easy to misread this question, and lose track of the fact that we're interested in what the historian believes -- not necessarily the author.

I hope this helps!

aragonn · Answer

P1 - women + personhood
P2 - theory of A on same. flaw in it. explained.

71. According to the passage, much of the research on Alessandra Strozzi done by the historian mentioned in the second paragraph supports which of the following conclusions?

(A) Alessandra used her position as her sons' sole guardian to further interests different from those of her sons. - too extreme
(B) Alessandra unwillingly sacrificed her own interests in favor of those of her sons. - 'unwillingly' seems odd.
(C) Alessandra's actions indicate that her motivations and intentions were those of an independent individual. - it means they were not influenced from anything at all.; not right.
(D) Alessandra's social context encouraged her to take independent action. - no 
(E) Alessandra regarded her sons' goals and interests as her own. - yes; champion of her sons’ interests, taking their goals as her own.

-------------------------------------------------------
72. In the first paragraph, the author of the passage mentions a contention that would be made by an anthropologist most likely in order to

contention - a person can be conceived in ways other than as an “individual.” In many societies a person’s identity is not intrinsically unique and self-contained but instead is defined within a complex web of social relationships.

(B) offer a perspective on the concept of personhood that can usefully be applied to the study of women in Renaissance Europe - 
-----------------------------------------------------

73. The passage suggests that the historians referred to in line 1 make which of the following assumptions about Renaissance Europe?

(C) That European women of the Renaissance had the possibility of acting independently of the social context in which they lived

-----------------------------------------------
74. It can be inferred that the author of the passage believes which of the following about the study of Alessandra Strozzi done by the historian mentioned in the second paragraph?

This historian assumes that Alessandra had goals and interests different from those of her sons, yet much of the historian’s own research reveals that Alessandra acted primarily as a champion of her sons’ interests, taking their goals as her own. Thus Alessandra conforms more closely to the anthropologist’s notion that personal motivation is embedded in a social context.
PT - historian and anthropologist have different contention. 'However' in P1 can proove that. Above lines tell that AS was more close to anthropologist’s notion. This will infer option E as winner.

(E) The interpretation of Alessandra's actions that the historian puts forward is not supported by much of the historian's research.

-----------------------------------------
75. The passage suggests that the historian mentioned in the second paragraph would be most likely to agree with which of the following assertions regarding Alessandra Strozzi?

(D) Alessandra is an example of a Renaissance woman who expressed her individuality through independent action.

Nikhil · Answer

The question is "It can be inferred that the author of the passage believes which of the following about the study of Alessandra Strozzi done by the historian mentioned in the second paragraph?"

Relevant info from passage

Take look at the last line "Thus Alessandra conforms more closely to the anthropologist’s notion" which implies Alessandra's actions doesn't align with most of the historian's research and hence option E.

SonGoku

I don't see how option B can be inferred. Why do you think it is option B ?

warrior1991 · Answer

I am not an expert but will try to help you on this.

Read these lines.

"a historian who specializes in European women of the Renaissance attributes individual intention and authorship of actions to her subject. This historian assumes that Alessandra had goals and interests different from those of her sons, yet much of the historian’s own research reveals that Alessandra acted primarily as a champion of her sons’ interests, taking their goals as her own."

(B) In order to bolster her thesis, the historian adopted the anthropological perspective on personhood.

Read this line:-  
  "a historian who specializes in European women of the Renaissance attributes individual intention and authorship of actions to her subject"

It is nowhere mentioned that the historian adopted the anthropological perspective on personhood. She was trying to use the traditional measure (attributes individual intention and authorship of actions to her subject).

"yet much of the historian’s own research reveals that Alessandra acted primarily as a champion of her sons’ interests, taking their goals as her own"

This line says she ended up doing research on the topic which actually does not supports individuality theory.

(E) The interpretation of Alessandra's actions that the historian puts forward is not supported by much of the historian's research.

This is Bang on as per my explanation.

GMATRhythm · Answer

GMATNinja 
 GMATNinja Two

75. The passage suggests that the historian mentioned in the second paragraph would be most likely to agree with which of the following assertions regarding Alessandra Strozzi?

In the above question, why is the answer D (Alessandra is an example of a Renaissance woman who expressed her individuality through independent action)?

aragonn · Answer

Such questions must be solved by POE only. I found D very easily so did not explained. Let me try to help you, while Charles Sir can back me up

(A) Alessandra was able to act more independently than most women of her time because she was a widow. ------ Such comparison is not given in Text. We dnt know much about other women of this time. also she was widow, this part is completly out of context. (B) Alessandra was aware that her personal motivation was embedded in a social context. ------ her personal motivation is more on lines of her sons' motivation. Social context has a very broad meaning in this sense. (C) Alessandra had goals and interests similar to those of many other widows in her society. ------ again out of context comparison. we dnt know about goals of other widows. (E) Alessandra was exceptional because she was able to effect changes in the social constraints placed upon women in her society. ------ so basically she was exceptional cause she had social constraints. well most of the women had those type of constraints in this era. this one is very broad. (D) Alessandra is an example of a Renaissance woman who expressed her individuality through independent action. ---- I could not eliminate this one straight. so i kept it. this answer is not extreme. yes she does expressed her individuality. P2 is all about that. those actions were individual ? yes they were. inspired by her sons'. usually in such cases, breaking the sentence in adjectives make it more clear. Keep sentence as easy as possible. Hope it will be helpful for you. Do let me know in case of any doubts.

GMATRhythm · Answer

Thanks, I too eliminated A,B, C and E easily. But I was not convinced with D either. Because I didn't find anywhere in the passage that mentioned her actions were independent or she expressed her individuality.

gmatconqueror2018 · Answer

5/5 in 9:47 Passage was not hard but questions required a good deal of searching and careful scrutiny. Let me know if you have any questions and I will gladly share my approach to each question.

gmatconqueror2018

TheGMATGuy1801 · Answer

Could you please help me with Q73 ?

Thanks in Advance...!!

AkshdeepS · Answer

73. The passage suggests that the historians referred to in line 1 make which of the following assumptions about Renaissance Europe?

(A) That anthropologists overestimate the importance of the individual in Renaissance European society
 Passage does not support this. Historians did not assume that anthropologist overestimate the importance of the individual in Renaissance European society. Only author discussed the contentions of anthropologists.

(B) That in Renaissance Europe, women were typically allowed to express their individuality
 No support from the passage. It is too much to assume as per historians point of view that women in Renaissance Europe were typically allowed to express their individuality. These historians were trying to measure the degree of freedom or suppression of Renaissance women.

(C) That European women of the Renaissance had the possibility of acting independently of the social context in which they lived  
  Historians who study European women of the Renaissance  try to measure “independence,” “options,”  and other indicators of the degree to which the expression of  women’s individuality was either permitted or suppressed.    
 This text supports the answer choice that European women of the Renaissance had the possibility of acting independently.

(D) That studying an individual such as Alessandra is the best way to draw general conclusions about the lives of women in Renaissance Europe
 These historians are different from the historian who studied Alessandra.

(E) That people in Renaissance Europe had greater personal autonomy than people do currently
 Irrelevant : No such comparison made in any part of the passage

Hope this will be helpful.

gurudabl · Answer

Hi  AkshdeepS ,

How much time should one allocate for a passage like this on the real test, taking into consideration this short-passage has 5 questions? 
I took 9 minutes....and usually finishing a short-passage in 5 minutes is considered optimal.

Dablu

AkshdeepS · Answer

Hi,

How many questions did you get correct is more important than how much time you took for the passage to solve, if you are in the initial stages of your prep. Timing comes with practice.

Usually, for short and medium passages, you should take 6 minutes, and for larger ones 8 minutes.
This is just an ideal time, and you can take +/-2 minutes according to the difficulty of the passage.
Your timing for 5 questions is good enough as this is a medium length passage.
 
The thing you must keep in mind is not get stick to only one question for too long.

All the best.

jkbk1732 · Answer

GMATNinja  Can you help me with Q73? I am stuck between (B) & (C)

saby1410 · Answer

VeritasKarishma   GMATNinja   mikemcgarry

Can you explain question 74?

And ques 75 can't we say that historian conform to the view of anthropologist(yet much of the historian's own research reveals that Alessandra acted primarily as a champion of her sons' interests, taking their goals as her own. Thus Alessandra conforms more closely to the anthropologist's notion that personal motivation is embedded in a social context)

KarishmaB · Answer

The passage gives the beliefs of multiple people. For question 74 and 75, we have 4 people of interest -

1. Anthropologist - who believes that person’s identity is not intrinsically unique and self-contained but instead is defined within a complex web of s social relationships

2. Historian - who believes European women of the Renaissance had individual intention and authorship of actions (their goals were different from their family's)

3. Alessandra Strozzi - a 15th century widow who was studied by the historian. We have no idea what her belief were.

4. Author

74. It can be inferred that the author of the passage believes which of the following about the study of Alessandra Strozzi done by the historian mentioned in the second paragraph?

(A) Alessandra was atypical of her time and was therefore an inappropriate choice for the subject of the historian's research.
(B) In order to bolster her thesis, the historian adopted the anthropological perspective on personhood.
(C) The historian argues that the boundaries of the conceptual self were not always firm and closed in Renaissance Europe.
(D) In her study, the historian reverts to a traditional approach that is out of step with the work of other historians of Renaissance Europe.
(E) The interpretation of Alessandra's actions that the historian puts forward is not supported by much of the historian's research.

Here we are questioning the author's beliefs. Look at what he writes:
 This historian assumes that Alessandra had goals and interests different from those of her sons, yet much of the historian’s own research reveals that Alessandra acted primarily as a champion of her sons’ interests, taking their goals as her own. Thus Alessandra conforms more closely to the anthropologist’s notion that personal motivation is embedded in a social context

The author is saying that much of historian's work actually supports the anthropologist's view, not the historian's own view.

Hence (E) is correct.

KarishmaB · Answer

75. The passage suggests that the historian mentioned in the second paragraph would be most likely to agree with which of the following assertions regarding Alessandra Strozzi?

(A) Alessandra was able to act more independently than most women of her time because she was a widow.
(B) Alessandra was aware that her personal motivation was embedded in a social context.
(C) Alessandra had goals and interests similar to those of many other widows in her society.
(D) Alessandra is an example of a Renaissance woman who expressed her individuality through independent action.
(E) Alessandra was exceptional because she was able to effect changes in the social constraints placed upon women in her society.

Note what the historian's views are:
 a historian who specializes in European women of the Renaissance attributes individual intention and authorship of actions to her subject. This historian assumes that Alessandra had goals and interests different from those of her sons 
This view is different the anthropologist's view.

The historian thinks that the women had their own goals and interests different from those of their families. 
So only option (D) is supported by the passage.

The passage does not suggest that Alessandra was exceptional or had more freedom in any way because of her circumstances.

Piyush1993 · Answer

1-4 correct, 5th wrong.
Time : 6.5 mins

Posted from my mobile device

GMATNinja · Answer

Before we consider question 73, take a look at the relevant portion of the passage:

Influenced by Western individualism, these historians define peculiar form of personhood: an innately bounded unit, autonomous and standing apart from both nature and society. An anthropologist, however, would contend that a person can be conceived in ways other than as an “individual.” In many societies a person’s identity is not intrinsically unique and self-contained but instead is defined within a complex web of social relationships.

So, the author notes that historians always study the expression of Renaissance women’s individuality within the context of a particular definition of personhood. That is to say,  the historians assume Renaissance women’s identities are distinct from nature and society . But he/she also introduces alternative views that suggest other factors could be at play. For example, certain anthropologists contend that an individual’s identity may be influenced by social relationships.

With that in mind, the question asks us to identify an assumption that the author suggests the historians make about Renaissance Europe. Here’s (B):

In the first sentence of the passage, the author states that the relevant historians try to measure “indicators of the degree to which the expression of women’s individuality was either permitted or suppressed.” If the historians are studying the degree to which women were able to express their individuality, then they DO NOT assume that women were allowed to express their individuality. In fact, it suggests not that the historians assume (B), but that the truth of (B) is exactly what the historians are trying to determine. With that, we eliminate (B).

And here’s (C):

In the portion of the passage we’ve already considered, the author indicates that the historians assume a person must be conceived as “an innately bounded unit, autonomous and standing apart from both nature and society.” In other words, the historians believe people are individual and autonomous units, and they then study the extent to which women were permitted to express their individuality. So, the historians, unlike the anthropologists mentioned, must assume it is POSSIBLE for women to act independently and that society either allows or suppresses that possibility. So, (C) is the best choice for question 73.

I hope that helps!

DarkAveneger · Answer

"This historian assumes that Alessandra had goals and interests different from those of her sons, yet much of the historian’s own research reveals that Alessandra acted primarily as a champion of her sons’ interests, taking their goals as her own."

Here it is told that at first historian assumes that alessandra had different goals but the historian after her own research came to know that alessandra acted on her son's interest.
So my doubt is 
Is option C possible as historian also came to know that alessandra had acted as her conceptual self was not firm and closed ?

Posted from my mobile device

Historians who study European women of the Renaissance try to measure

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

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

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

Historians who study European women of the Renaissance try to measure

Prep Toolkit

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

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards