In the United States, where we have more land than people, it is not a

Question

In the United States, where we have more land than people, it is not at all difficult for persons in good health to make money. In this comparatively new field there are so many avenues of success open, so many vocations which are not crowded, that any person of either sex who is willing, at least for the time being, to engage in any respectable occupation that offers, may find lucrative employment.

Those who really desire to attain an independence, have only to set their minds upon it, and adopt the proper means, as they do in regard to any other object which they wish to accomplish, and the thing is easily done. But however easy it may be found to make money, I have no doubt many of my hearers will agree it is the most difficult thing in the world to keep it. The road to wealth is, as Dr. Franklin truly says, "as plain as the road to the mill." It consists simply in expending less than we earn; that seems to be a very simple problem. Mr. Micawber, one of those happy creations of the genial Dickens, puts the case in a strong light when he says that to have annual income of twenty pounds per annum, and spend twenty pounds and sixpence, is to be the most miserable of men; whereas, to have an income of only twenty pounds, and spend but nineteen pounds and sixpence is to be the happiest of mortals.

Many of my readers may say, "we understand this: this is economy, and we know economy is wealth; we know we can't eat our cake and keep it also." Yet I beg to say that perhaps more cases of failure arise from mistakes on this point than almost any other. The fact is, many people think they understand economy when they really do not.    1 
 1. Which of the following statements best expresses the main idea of the passage?

(A) Getting a job is easier now than it ever has been before.
(B) Earning money is much less difficult than managing it properly.
(C) Dr. Franklin advocated getting a job in a mill.
(D) Spending money is the greatest temptation in the world.
(E) There is no way to predict changes in the economy.

2 
 2. What would this author’s attitude likely be to a person unable to find employment?

(A) descriptive
(B) conciliatory
(C) ingenuous
(D) incredulous
(E) exculpatory

3 
 3. According to the author, what is more difficult than making money?

(A) getting a job
(B) traveling to a mill
(C) reading Dickens
(D) understanding the economy
(E) managing money

4 
 4. Who is the most likely audience for this passage?

(A) economists
(B) general readers
(C) teachers
(D) philanthropists
(E) children

5 
 5. What is the best definition of economy as it is used in this passage?

(A) exchange of money, goods, and services
(B) delegation of household affairs
(C) efficient money management
(D) less expensive
(E) luxurious accommodations

6 
 6. Which word best describes the author’s attitude towards those who believe they understand money?

(A) supportive
(B) incriminating
(C) excessive
(D) patronizing
(E) incendiary

7 
 7. This passage is most likely taken from a(n)_.

(A) self-help manual
(B) autobiography
(C) epistle
(D) novel
(E) brochure

RC Butler 2022  -  Practice Two RC Passages Everyday.   
Passage # 29 Date: 19-Jan-2022
 This question is a part of RC Butler 2022 .  Click here for Details

Source: Test Prep Review (Docs)

100mitra · Answer

Paraphrasing:  
  Para 1:   More land to population ratio, gives more opportunity for one in the US may find lucrative employment.
  Para 2:   Gaining wealth is compared with same intention of gaining independence, but creates curiosity on spending 
  Para 3:   The fact is, many people think they understand economy when they really do not.

1. Which of the following statements best expresses the main idea of the passage?  
(A) Getting a job is easier now than it ever has been before.
  Wrong:   getting job is easier only to, “that any person of either sex who is willing, at least for the time being, to engage in any respectable occupation that offers, may find lucrative employment.” As mentioned in the passage.

(B) Earning money is much less difficult than managing it properly.
  Correct: as mentioned in the passage, “But however easy it may be found to make money, I have no doubt many of my hearers will agree it is the most difficult thing in the world to keep it.”

(C) Dr. Franklin advocated getting a job in a mill.
  Wrong:   as mentioned in the passage, Dr. Franklin quotes, “The road to wealth is, as Dr. Franklin truly says, "as plain as the road to the mill." Just to prove a point “It consists simply in expending less than we earn; that seems to be a very simple problem”
(D) Spending money is the greatest temptation in the world.
  Wrong:   Out of scope, passage tone is about saving wealth, not on spending temptation.

(E) There is no way to predict changes in the economy.
  Wrong:  Changes in the economy can be predicted by once spending and saving

2. What would this author’s attitude likely be to a person unable to find employment?  
  Explanation:   as mentioned in the passage, “In this comparatively new field there are so many avenues of success open, so many vocations which are not crowded, that any person of either sex who is willing, at least for the time being, to engage in any respectable occupation that offers, may find lucrative employment.”
Intended meaning – opportunity is available, one needs to take it.

(A) descriptive - serving or seeking to describe   Wrong:  
(B) conciliatory - intended or likely to placate or pacify   Wrong:  
(C) ingenuous - innocent or unsuspecting  Wrong:  
  (D) incredulous – unwilling or unable to believe something - Correct  
(E) exculpatory – Show that is not guilty of wrong doing   Wrong:

3. According to the author, what is more difficult than making money?  
  Explanation:   as mentioned in the passage, “But however easy it may be found to make money, 
I have no doubt many of my hearers will agree it is the most difficult thing in the world to keep it.”

(A) getting a job –  Easy, explained in the para 1, not related in saving money 
(B) traveling to a mill –  It’s a quote from Dr. Dr. Franklin, not related in saving money 
(C) reading Dickens –  not related in saving money 
(D) understanding the economy  – not incline with the intended meaning of difficulty and saving money 
  (E) managing money – Correct, as mentioned about explanation

4. Who is the most likely audience for this passage?

(A)  economists  – No, highlights a specific target group 
  (B) general readers – Yes, its general about job opportunity, earning and saving money   
(C)  teachers  – No, highlights a specific target group 
(D)  philanthropists  – Trap! but directs into a special other growth of target audience 
(E)  children  - No, highlights a specific target group

5. What is the best definition of economy as it is used in this passage?  
  Explanation :   as mentioned in the passage, we can infer Economy is wealth management, 
“But however easy it may be found to make money, 
I have no doubt many of my hearers will agree it is the most difficult thing in the world to keep it”

(A) exchange of money, goods, and services   Wrong:   – Not exchange 
(B) delegation of household affairs   Wrong:   – relates to particular affairs 
  (C) efficient money management – Correct, as mentioned above  
(D) less expensive   Wrong:   its high earning, less expenditure and saving 
(E) luxurious accommodations   Wrong:   Corelates wealth with luxurious status

6. Which word best describes the author’s attitude towards 
those who believe they understand money?  
  Explanation:   as mentioned in the passage, 
“Yet I beg to say that perhaps more cases of failure arise from mistakes on this point than almost any other. 
The fact is, many people think they understand economy when they really do not”

(A) supportive –   Wrong:   Not supporting any conclusion 
(B) incriminating –  Wrong:   (Making some one appears guilty for wrong doing)
(C) excessive –   Wrong:   (not unrestricted, uncontrolled or uncurbed)
  (D) patronizing – Correct – treat in a way that is apparently kind or helpful but that betrays a feeling of superiority  
(E) incendiary –   Wrong:   not the one who creates or stirs up conflict;

7. This passage is most likely taken from a(n)_.  
  (A) self-help manual – intended to assist persons representing themselves without assistance of an attorney  
(B)  autobiography  – Wrong – Does not describe about any person or thing
(C)  epistle  – Wrong – Definitely not a letter, or message
(D)  novel  – Wrong – Not from anu fictitious prose narrative of book
(E)  brochure  – Wrong – Not from any booklet or

Rabab36 · Answer

Sajjad1994  sir

how to approach Q-2 
when meanings are not known 
is there any way

no hpes

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Hello Rabab36

GMAC doesn't ask questions based solely on meaning, this passage is probably based on GRE content, hence question #2 is a bit off GMAT.

Prob2303 · Answer

Hi Sajjad,

Can I get the OE for Q2 and Q7?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Question #2  
OE is ridicolous; a better explanation than the official one is available  here

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

7. This passage is most likely taken from

Explanation

The content of the passage emphasizes advice and guidance on making money, achieving financial independence, and the importance of managing one's finances. It provides insights into the author's perspective on wealth, economy, and the common mistakes people make in their approach to financial matters. The emphasis on practical advice and the pursuit of economic success aligns with the characteristics of a self-help manual.

Answer: A

In the United States, where we have more land than people, it is not a

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

In the United States, where we have more land than people, it is not a

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