Events & Promotions
| Last visit was: 06 Sep 2026, 13:35 |
It is currently 06 Sep 2026, 13:35 |
|
|
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Sep 0712:01 AM PDT
-11:59 PM PDT
On the 7th, GMAT Club Tests will be Free! Including all the Quizzes, Questions, and Tests. 12 AM - 11:59 PM PDT- Sep 07
10:00 AM PDT
-11:00 AM PDT
A complete walkthrough of GMAT Club’s free 12-week GMAT study plan: what you study each week, how progress and goals are tracked, how the error log works, and how your practice unlocks paid tools at no cost. 
Sep 0201:00 PM EDT
-11:59 PM EDT
Take 30% off all study plans with code COURSEWORK - Expires on Monday 9/7
Sep 0410:00 AM EDT
-11:59 PM EDT
We’ve worked incredibly hard to build TTP into the best test prep experience possible, and it would mean a lot to us to win Newsweek’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Award for Best Test Prep. If TTP has helped you, we’d be incredibly grateful for your vote.
Sep 0609:30 AM EDT
-12:30 PM EST
Top scores are possible when you enroll in a powerful EA course, taught live online + 6 months access to TTP OnDemand video courses included! Perfect class schedule and easy course access for working professionals. Class starts Sundays Sept. 6, 2026.- Sep 09
07:00 AM PDT
-10:00 AM PDT
Meet AdComs and explore top Master’s programs - MiM, MiF, MSc, MSBA and more. - Application Fee Waivers - Free 1-Week of GMAT Club Tests: - Master's Application Toolkit - Grand Prize Giveaway - Sep 09
10:00 AM PDT
-11:00 AM PDT
Three MBA applications. Three rejections. No interview invites. A year later, Aman was admitted to Cambridge Judge, SMU, and IMD. In this episode of MBA Admit Stories, Aman shares how he rebuilt his MBA application... 
Sep 1507:00 PM EDT
-09:00 PM EST
Elite scores are possible when you enroll in a powerful GMAT course, taught live online + 6 months access to TTP OnDemand video courses included! Class starts Tues/Thurs Sept. 15, 2026 - Nov. 15, 2027, 7:00pm-9:00pm EST
Sep 2108:00 PM EDT
-10:00 PM EDT
Boost your GMAT score in less than one month in a live online class + 6 months access to TTP OnDemand video courses included! Class starts Mon, Tues, Wed, Thur, Fri Sept. 21, 2026 - Oct. 9, 2027, 7:00pm-10:00pm EST
12 Apr 2022, 21:30
Kudos
Bookmarks
Question 1
C
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
65%
(hard)
Question Stats:
43% (02:32) correct
57%
(02:33) wrong
based on 237
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 2
E
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
5%
(low)
Question Stats:
92% (00:31) correct 8%
(00:37) wrong
based on 234
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 3
D
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
5%
(low)
Question Stats:
79% (00:28) correct 21%
(00:44) wrong
based on 228
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 4
A
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
35%
(medium)
Question Stats:
58% (00:51) correct 42%
(00:53) wrong
based on 226
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 5
A
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
5%
(low)
Question Stats:
86% (00:38) correct 14%
(00:55) wrong
based on 211
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
In Ursula LeGuin’s short story “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas,” everyone in the city of Omelas is happy—everyone, that is, except the child who is kept locked in a basement closet. The child is left entirely alone and neglected except for occasional visits from the citizens of Omelas. They come at a certain age as a rite of initiation, to learn the secret of the happiness they enjoy. They come to learn that their happiness has a price: the suffering of an innocent child. In the end, most people stay in Omelas; but a few, unable to bear the fact that they are responsible for the suffering of that child, reject this utopia built upon a utilitarian morality.
Utilitarianism is an ethical theory based upon the belief that happiness is the ultimate good and that people should use happiness as the measure for determining right and wrong. For utilitarians, the right thing to do is that which will bring about the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people. Furthermore, utilitarianism argues that the intention of people’s actions does not matter; only the consequences of their actions are morally relevant because only the consequences determine how much happiness is produced.
Although many useful social policies and much legislation are founded on this “greatest good” philosophy, utilitarianism can be problematic as a basis for morality. First, happiness is not so easy to quantify, and any measurement is bound to be subjective. Second, in a theory that treats everything except happiness as instrumentally rather than intrinsically valuable, anything—or, more importantly, anyone—can (and should) be treated as a means to an end, if it means greater happiness. This rejects the notion that human beings have their own intrinsic value. Further, utilitarianism puts the burden of the happiness of the masses on the suffering of the few. Is the happiness of many worth the suffering of a few? Why do those few deserve to suffer? Isn’t this burden of suffering morally irresponsible? This is the dilemma so brilliantly illustrated in LeGuin’s story.
Utilitarianism is an ethical theory based upon the belief that happiness is the ultimate good and that people should use happiness as the measure for determining right and wrong. For utilitarians, the right thing to do is that which will bring about the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people. Furthermore, utilitarianism argues that the intention of people’s actions does not matter; only the consequences of their actions are morally relevant because only the consequences determine how much happiness is produced.
Although many useful social policies and much legislation are founded on this “greatest good” philosophy, utilitarianism can be problematic as a basis for morality. First, happiness is not so easy to quantify, and any measurement is bound to be subjective. Second, in a theory that treats everything except happiness as instrumentally rather than intrinsically valuable, anything—or, more importantly, anyone—can (and should) be treated as a means to an end, if it means greater happiness. This rejects the notion that human beings have their own intrinsic value. Further, utilitarianism puts the burden of the happiness of the masses on the suffering of the few. Is the happiness of many worth the suffering of a few? Why do those few deserve to suffer? Isn’t this burden of suffering morally irresponsible? This is the dilemma so brilliantly illustrated in LeGuin’s story.
1. Which of the following best sums up the author’s opinion of utilitarianism?
a. It is an ethical theory.
b. It is the ethical theory that people should all live by.
c. It is a useful but problematic ethical theory.
d. It does not adequately measure happiness.
e. It underestimates the intrinsic value of human beings.
a. It is an ethical theory.
b. It is the ethical theory that people should all live by.
c. It is a useful but problematic ethical theory.
d. It does not adequately measure happiness.
e. It underestimates the intrinsic value of human beings.
2. According to the passage, in utilitarianism
a. only intentions have moral significance.
b. consequences are important, but intentions are more important.
c. intentions and consequences are equally important.
d. intentions are important, but consequences are more important.
e. only consequences have moral significance.
a. only intentions have moral significance.
b. consequences are important, but intentions are more important.
c. intentions and consequences are equally important.
d. intentions are important, but consequences are more important.
e. only consequences have moral significance.
3. The author summarizes LeGuin’s story primarily to
a. show how good the story is.
b. get readers interested in the story.
c. illustrate the power of words.
d. illustrate the central problem with utilitarianism.
e. illustrate a utilitarian utopia.
a. show how good the story is.
b. get readers interested in the story.
c. illustrate the power of words.
d. illustrate the central problem with utilitarianism.
e. illustrate a utilitarian utopia.
4. From the passage, it can be inferred that the author
a. may use utilitarianism occasionally but not as a guiding moral principle.
b. would never use utilitarianism to make a decision about what is right or wrong.
c. uses utilitarianism regularly to make moral decisions.
d. believes utilitarianism is a good basis for social policy.
e. thinks most people do not really understand utilitarianism.
a. may use utilitarianism occasionally but not as a guiding moral principle.
b. would never use utilitarianism to make a decision about what is right or wrong.
c. uses utilitarianism regularly to make moral decisions.
d. believes utilitarianism is a good basis for social policy.
e. thinks most people do not really understand utilitarianism.
5. From the author’s summary of LeGuin’s story, the reader can infer that
a. most people in Omelas are utilitarians.
b. most people in Omelas reject utilitarianism.
c. everyone in Omelas is happy.
d. the child willingly sacrifices himself for others.
e. LeGuin is a popular science-fiction writer.
a. most people in Omelas are utilitarians.
b. most people in Omelas reject utilitarianism.
c. everyone in Omelas is happy.
d. the child willingly sacrifices himself for others.
e. LeGuin is a popular science-fiction writer.
RC Butler 2022 - Practice Two RC Passages Everyday.
Passage # 149 Date: 13-Apr-2022
This question is a part of RC Butler 2022. Click here for Details
Passage # 149 Date: 13-Apr-2022
This question is a part of RC Butler 2022. Click here for Details
Source: Learning Express
17 Apr 2022, 21:39
Kudos
Bookmarks
1. Which of the following best sums up the author’s opinion of utilitarianism?
a. It is an ethical theory.
b. It is the ethical theory that people should all live by.
c. It is a useful but problematic ethical theory.
d. It does not adequately measure happiness.
e. It underestimates the intrinsic value of human beings.
Can someone pls help in understanding why option (e) is eliminated?
a. It is an ethical theory.
b. It is the ethical theory that people should all live by.
c. It is a useful but problematic ethical theory.
d. It does not adequately measure happiness.
e. It underestimates the intrinsic value of human beings.
Can someone pls help in understanding why option (e) is eliminated?
18 Apr 2022, 11:35
Kudos
Bookmarks
PrateekVermaPV
Official Explanation
1. Which of the following best sums up the author’s opinion of utilitarianism?
Difficulty Level: 700
Explanation
The author is critical of utilitarianism, but she also includes evidence that it is a useful theory. LeGuin’s story, for example, shows how the sacrifice of one can create the happiness of many. The author also notes that “many useful social policies and much legislation are founded on” utilitarianism, demonstrating that it is a useful ethical theory.
The word choice throughout also indicates that the author feels that this ethical theory has both positive and negative aspects. For example, she calls it “problematic,” but not “wrongheaded” or “faulty.” She calls the problem of the suffering of the few for the happiness of the many a “dilemma,” not a “flaw” or “failure.” She asks questions rather than making statements about the immorality of utilitarian choices.
Choice a is incorrect because it simply states a fact from the essay; it does not express an opinion.
The author clearly states that “there are several serious problems with utilitarianism as a basis for morality,” so choice b is incorrect.
Although the statements in choices d and e are true and clearly stated in the text, these are specific criticisms of utilitarianism and do not sum up the author’s opinion of this ethical theory.
Answer: C
Difficulty Level: 700
Explanation
The author is critical of utilitarianism, but she also includes evidence that it is a useful theory. LeGuin’s story, for example, shows how the sacrifice of one can create the happiness of many. The author also notes that “many useful social policies and much legislation are founded on” utilitarianism, demonstrating that it is a useful ethical theory.
The word choice throughout also indicates that the author feels that this ethical theory has both positive and negative aspects. For example, she calls it “problematic,” but not “wrongheaded” or “faulty.” She calls the problem of the suffering of the few for the happiness of the many a “dilemma,” not a “flaw” or “failure.” She asks questions rather than making statements about the immorality of utilitarian choices.
Choice a is incorrect because it simply states a fact from the essay; it does not express an opinion.
The author clearly states that “there are several serious problems with utilitarianism as a basis for morality,” so choice b is incorrect.
Although the statements in choices d and e are true and clearly stated in the text, these are specific criticisms of utilitarianism and do not sum up the author’s opinion of this ethical theory.
Answer: C
miag
Expert
Verbal Forum Moderator
Joined: 10 Dec 2023
Last visit: 08 Aug 2026
Posts: 397
Given Kudos: 737
Location: India
Concentration: Marketing, Sustainability
Schools: Anderson '26 (A) Haas '26 (A) Kellogg '26 (A)
GMAT Focus 1: 675 Q87 V83 DI80 
GPA: 3.2/4
Products:
Expert reply
10 Jan 2025, 07:29
Kudos
Bookmarks
Can someone help explain Q-4? Why is option C) incorrect, and A) correct? Sajjad1994
