In 1879, inventor Thomas A. Edison came up with a practical electric

Question

In 1879, inventor Thomas A. Edison came up with a practical electric light bulb.  Over the next 20 years, America began to wire up.  At first, direct current (DC) was used, but DC didn’t work over distances of more than a few miles. Then a man named George Westinghouse began using alternating current (AC), which allowed high voltage to be sent long distances through transformers and then reduced to safer levels as it entered buildings.  Switching from steam engines to electricity made factories safer and more efficient, too.     1 
 1. Which of the following statements would most likely conclude the passage as presented?

(A) Thomas A. Edison went on to invent many other important things.
(B) Innovations in electrical safety continue to be developed by Americans.
(C) America is known for innovations in other fields as well.
(D) The rock band AC/DC took its name from the differing types of electricity.
(E) In conclusion, that is how Thomas A. Edison invented electricity.

2 
 2. According to the passage, what does the term DC stand for in electrical wiring?

(A) Direct Charge
(B) District of Columbia
(C) Distinct Current
(D) Distinct Charge
(E) Direct Current

3 
 3. Which of the following, if fully written, would present a logical structure similar to the passage?

(A) A paragraph that begins with the innovation of an Egyptian inventor and goes on to explain how she develops her ideas.
(B) A biographical sketch of an important Iranian architect.
(C) A passage exploring the history of containing nuclear power, beginning with a brief look at the first time it was safely processed.
(D) An editorial about the dangers of allowing children to play near live electrical wires.
(E) A review of notable achievements by American inventors in all fields.

4 
 4. What can safely be inferred about steam engines from the passage?

(A) Steam engines were responsible for a significant portion of factory accidents before electrical engines were put into use.
(B) Steam engines were cheaper to produce than electrical engines, but less safe.
(C) Steam engines and electrical engines were developed simultaneously.
(D) Steam engines are more difficult to operate than electrical engines.
(E) It’s impossible to predict whether a steam engine will run safely or not.

5 
 5. Which of the following would be the best substitute for the word practical as used in the first sentence?

(A) Sensible
(B) Legal
(C) Reversible
(D) Unusual
(E) Serviceable

6 
 6. What is the connection between the two bolded sentences?

(A) The first puts forth an argument; the second refutes it.
(B) The first makes a general statement about events; the second offers evidence that proves that statement.
(C) The first is a metaphor for historical events; the second is the extension of that metaphor.
(D) The first is an ideological statement; the second is proof of that statement.
(E) The first is the evidence that an argument is needed; the second is the argument restated.

U.S. History For Dummies , 3rd Edition, by Steve Wiegand

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

4. What can safely be inferred about steam engines from the passage?

Explanation

The safest inference is that steam engines were the cause of a significant portion of factory accidents, because the final sentence of the passage states that electrical engines improved safety on factory floors. Thus,  Choice (A)  is the best.

Answer: A

Its_me_aka_ak · Answer

but don't you think D is a better option?
A cant be inferred aas the statement assumes a SIGNIFICANT potion of mishaps are cuz of steam engines but according to the passage steam engines just became safer( used to be 99+ safe and now it is 99.5% safe)
on the other hand, D compares the efficiency in general and the passage suggests that electric ones are MORE EFFICIENT or arguably NOT EFFICIENT Aat all. in both cases option D stands still.
kindly provide your opinion

Sajjad1994 · Answer

No!  D  is way off.  "Difficult to operate" ? No passage didn't tell us as such. Being less efficient doesn't mean difficult to operate. it means they were economical and or reliable.

Answer  option A  is the answer because it is bad and  B, C, D , and  E  are not the answers because they are wrost. A captures half of the context given in the passage while other half part of this option is bit extreme.

B  is opposite. A perfect opposite of B  "Steam engines were less cheaper to produce than electrical engines, also less safe." . would be a better answer.

(C)  is out of scope.

(D)  also didn't make any sense.

(E)  is also out of scope.

A  is definitely best here.

shubham28896 · Answer

Cannyou pelase explian the difference between the B & D option of Question 6

Sajjad1994 · Answer

-The first sentence provides a general statement about the development of electric light bulbs and the wiring of America, highlighting the transition from the invention of the practical electric light bulb in 1879 to the widespread adoption of electric power over the next 20 year

-The second sentence then offers evidence to support and explain the general statement by introducing the shift from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) and the impact it had on the ability to send high voltage over long distances through transformers. This change in technology is presented as a crucial factor in making electricity more practical and efficient, particularly in factories.  (B)  is correct!

On the other hand o ption (D)  states that  "the first is an ideological statement; the second is proof of that statement."  However, the first sentence in the passage does not seem to convey an ideological statement. Instead, it provides a factual account of an historical event – the invention of the practical electric light bulb by Thomas A. Edison in 1879 and the subsequent electrification of America over the next two decades.An ideological statement typically expresses a set of beliefs or values, and the first sentence appears more as a historical statement about an inventor's achievement. The second sentence, on the other hand, provides evidence and explanation for the practicality and efficiency of using alternating current (AC) over direct current (DC), supporting the idea of progress in electrical technology rather than an ideological stance.  (D)  is incorrect.

Waddup · Answer

Can someone please explain Q3, why isn't option "E". Is it because of the mention "all fields" in option E.

guddo · Answer

3. Which of the following, if fully written, would present a logical structure similar to the passage?

The passage has a clear structure: it starts with an important invention, then traces the later development of that technology, and then mentions some of its broader practical effects.  So the best match is a passage that begins with an early technological breakthrough and then follows the history of that technology.

(A) A paragraph that begins with the innovation of an Egyptian inventor and goes on to explain how she develops her ideas.

This is too focused on one inventor’s own thinking process. The original passage is not mainly about Edison’s ideas; it is about the later development and effects of electric power.

(B) A biographical sketch of an important Iranian architect.

This is biography, not the history of a technology.

(C) A passage exploring the history of containing nuclear power, beginning with a brief look at the first time it was safely processed.

This is correct.  It matches the structure best : an initial breakthrough, followed by the historical development of a technology.

(D) An editorial about the dangers of allowing children to play near live electrical wires.

This is an argument or warning, not a historical development passage.

(E) A review of notable achievements by American inventors in all fields.

This is too broad and list-like. The original passage follows one technological development over time.

Answer: (C)

In 1879, inventor Thomas A. Edison came up with a practical electric

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

In 1879, inventor Thomas A. Edison came up with a practical electric

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