On the whole, the American population has very little taste for income

Question

New Project RC Butler 2019  -  Practice 2 RC Passages Everyday   
Passage # 89, Date : 17-MAR-2019
 This post is a part of New Project RC Butler 2019 .  Click here for Details

On the whole, the American population has very little taste for income redistribution as economic policy. Beginning in the 1930s, public opinion polls have rarely shown strong support for income redistribution; during times of economic hardship, the percentage of Americans in favor of such a system has barely crested 50 percent. Similarly, Americans have been reluctant to press for a limit on the profits of big corporations, with less than a third of those polled in the 20 year span between 1950 and 1970 favoring such a policy.

Even during the Depression, the populace was reluctant to embrace income redistribution as a solution to the country’s woes. In 1939, over 60 percent of respondents indicated that the government should not increase taxes on the wealthy and an overwhelming majority—over 80 percent—rejected the idea of the government confiscating wealth. Clearly, the American spirit of Lockean liberalism and rugged individualism runs deep. It appears that most people are content to trust income distribution to the private market.

Of course, while overall support for income distribution remains low on average, there are some significant differences in levels of support based on income levels. As expected, those in the lowest income bracket demonstrate the strongest support for employment and income maintenance programs. However, contrary to expectations, these differences in support were not largest during the volatile economic times of the 1930s and 1940s. Rather, the documented differences in support based on income have been relatively stable over time. On the whole, political scientists have noticed anywhere from a 22 percent to 34 percent difference between the opinions of those classified as “prosperous” and those classified as “poor” on the question of income redistribution.   1 
 1. The main point made by the passage is that

A. The American spirit of Lockean liberalism is primarily responsible for the population’s rejection of income redistribution.
B. Despite some variations in support based on income levels, the American population on the whole views income redistribution policies with disfavor, even during times of economic hardship.
C. Although polls have indicated some variation in response level, on the whole, less than 50 percent of Americans support income redistribution.
D. Poll results on government income redistribution policies have remained stable over time, even during periods of economic hardship.
E. Income redistribution is not viewed as the solution to economic difficulties by the majority of American citizens.

2 
 2. The passage states that differences in support for governmental income redistribution policies

A. defied expectations by showing that those in lower income brackets had less support for these programs than those in higher income brackets
B. vary greatly depending the income level of respondents and the economic conditions at the time the poll is taken
C. are not, for the most part, significantly affected by outside influences
D. are not significantly different due to the American ideal of rugged individualism
E. are based solely on differences in the income levels of respondents

3 
 3. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

I.  During the Depression, a smaller percentage of Americans supported raising taxes than supported government confiscation of wealth
 II.  Today, about a third of Americans support limits on corporate profits
 III.  Before 1930, a majority of Americans supported income distribution

A. none
B. I only
C. I and II only
D. I and III only
E. I, II, and III

4 
 4. An assumption underlying the author’s assertion in the second paragraph is that

A. the private market is the best way to distribute income in an economy
B. Americans had never experienced economic hardships as severe as those experienced during the Great Depression
C. Lockean liberalism and rugged individualism entail a reliance on private markets for income distribution
D. the government had no intentions of confiscating property during the Great Depression
E. income redistribution would be insufficient to solve the country’s economic woes during the Great Depression

Source:   McGraw-Hill's GMAT 2013    (120-126) 
Difficulty Level:   700

Sajjad1994 · Accepted Answer

Hello  Businessconquerer

Official Explanation

1. The main point made by the passage is that

Difficulty Level:   650

Explanation

This a main idea question. The big idea in the first paragraph is that Americans don’t support income redistribution. The second paragraph adds that this view was held even during the Great Depression, while the third paragraph indicates that there is some difference in views based on income level, but these differences are relatively stable.

Choice A  is not the main idea because the author does not assert that Lockean liberalism is the primary cause.

Choice C  says that polls indicate  “variation in response level,”  but the passage mentions variation in a support level.

Choice D  only mentions one aspect of the passage.

Choice E  is also slightly too narrow.

Answer: B

2. The passage states that differences in support for governmental income redistribution policies

Difficulty Level:   700+

Explanation

This is a supporting idea question. The question asks about  “differences”  in support, so look in the last paragraph. The author states  “However, contrary to expectations, these differences in support were not largest during the volatile economic times of the 1930s and 1940s. Rather, the documented differences in support based on income have been relatively stable over time.”  If the differences are stable over time, they are not significantly affected by outside influences, making  choice C  correct.

Choice A  is wrong because the differences were contrary to expectations because they did not vary with the economic conditions, not because of income levels.

Choice B  is the opposite of what the passage says.

Choice D  quotes the wrong part of the passage and makes an assertion that is not stated in the passage.

Choice E  is too strong because it states that differences are based  “solely”  on income.

Answer: C

3. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

Difficulty Level:   650

Explanation

This is an inference question. None of the statements are true, although each of them is cleverly worded to make you believe they are. The first statement reverses the relationship in the passage. During the Depression, around 60 percent of the people were against tax increases, which means about 40 percent supported them or had no opinion, while 80 percent were opposed to government confiscation of property, meaning 20 percent supported it or had no opinion. Thus, a larger percentage supported raising taxes. The passage only gives data from 1950 to 1970 on corporate profits, so you can’t infer what people think today. And no information is provided on opinions previous to 1930. Thus, none of the statements can be properly inferred.

Answer: A

4. An assumption underlying the author’s assertion in the second paragraph is that

Difficulty Level:   600

Explanation

This is an apply information question. An assumption is necessary to tie an argument together. In the second paragraph, the author holds that  “the American spirit of Lockean liberalism and rugged individualism runs deep. It appears that most people are content to trust income distribution to the private market.”  If the author is arguing that most people trust the market because of their spirit of Lockean liberalism and rugged individualism, then the assumption must be  choice C , that there is a connection between the two. The other choices are not relevant to the author’s argument.

Answer: C

Hope it helps

Helium · Answer

SajjadAhmad

Can you share OE for question 2)?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Helium  Here it is.

Official Explanation

2. The passage states that differences in support for governmental income redistribution policies

Explanation

This is a supporting idea question. The question asks about  “differences”  in support, so look in the last paragraph. The author states  “However, contrary to expectations, these differences in support were not largest during the volatile economic times of the 1930s and 1940s. Rather, the documented differences in support based on income have been relatively stable over time.”  If the differences are stable over time, they are not significantly affected by outside influences, making  choice C  correct.  Choice A  is wrong because the differences were contrary to expectations because they did not vary with the economic conditions, not because of income levels.  Choice B  is the opposite of what the passage says.  Choice D  quotes the wrong part of the passage and makes an assertion that is not stated in the passage.  Choice E  is too strong because it states that differences are based  “solely”  on income.

Answer: C

Hope it Helps

auradediligodo · Answer

Hi everyone,
Took 8:45 minutes and got all correct. Took 3:20 minutes to read, write down paragraphs summaries and main point formulation.

P1: Americans are not favorable of IR
P2: ex of GD supporting P1
P3: IR rated by class

MP: discuss IR according to the aerial view (not favorable)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 1.  The main point made by the passage is that

Pre-thinking:
 Refer to main point above to analyze the answer choices

A. The American spirit of Lockean liberalism is primarily responsible for the population’s rejection of income redistribution.
 Apart from the incorrect usage of  primarily  let's focus on the role of  Lockean liberalism  in the passage. The Lockean liberalism is mentioned as evidence to support the idea that by principle the americans don't support IR. Now let's ask ourselves: can an evidence used to support a belief be the main point of a passage? The answer is no. Hence incorrect

B. Despite some variations in support based on income levels, the American population on the whole views income redistribution policies with disfavor, even 
during times of economic hardship.
 This answer choice captures the purpose of the entire passage. Hence correct

C. Although polls have indicated some variation in response level, on the whole, less than 50 percent of Americans support income redistribution.
 Altough it might be true (remember that there were peaks of 50% consensus of IR) this data is used to set up the context of the passage and hence is not the main point. Hence incorrect

D. Poll results on government income redistribution policies have remained stable over time, even during periods of economic hardship.
 Again this data is used as evidence to demonstrate the scarce support of IR by Ams. Hence incorrect

E. Income redistribution is not viewed as the solution to economic difficulties by the majority of American citizens.
 Altough economic difficulties are frequently stated the americans don't like IR as an economic policy, meaning that also during periods of stability and growth americans don't support this policy. Hence incorrect

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.  The passage states that differences in support for governmental income redistribution policies

Pre-thinking:
 We can pre-think this question by stating what we know about the difference in support for IR. 
This topic is discussed in P3.
#1 lower classes favor IR more than upper classes
#2 BUT lower classes support is stable even during times of economic hardships.

A. defied expectations by showing that those in lower income brackets had less support for these programs than those in higher income brackets
 opposite. Hence incorrect

B. vary greatly depending the income level of respondents and the economic conditions at the time the poll is taken
 inconsistent. The economic conditions don't affect the support for IR. Hence incorrect

C. are not, for the most part, significantly affected by outside influences
 Indeed the support of the lower classes, while expected to increase during difficult times, remains the same. Hence correct

D. are not significantly different due to the American ideal of rugged individualism
 This sentence is non sensical since it states that differences are not significantly different. Plus from the information in the passage we see that there is a substantial difference in support of IR. Hence incorrect

E. are based solely on differences in the income levels of respondents
 Solely is too extreme and never mentioned in the passage. Hence incorrect

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.  Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

Pre-thinking:
 Let's evaluate the single statements

I. During the Depression, a smaller percentage of Americans supported raising taxes than supported government confiscation of wealth
 opposite. a greater percentage supported increasing taxes. Hence incorrect

II. Today, about a third of Americans support limits on corporate profits
 LESS than a third. Look for this data at the end of P1. Hence incorrect

III. Before 1930, a majority of Americans supported income distribution
 Cannot be inferred and likely the opposite. Hence incorrect

A. none
 correct

B. I only
 incorrect

C. I and II only
 incorrect

D. I and III only
 incorrect

E. I, II, and III
 incorrect

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4.  An assumption underlying the author’s assertion in the second paragraph is that

Pre-thinking:
 "Clearly, the American spirit of Lockean liberalism and rugged individualism runs deep. It appears that most people are content to trust income distribution to the private market."

Refer to this portion of P2.
It seems to link the Lockean liberalism with the trust to private market to ID

A. the private market is the best way to distribute income in an economy
 BEST makes this statement too extreme and hence incorrect.

B. Americans had never experienced economic hardships as severe as those experienced during the Great Depression
 Too extreme because of NEVER. Hence incorrect

C. Lockean liberalism and rugged individualism entail a reliance on private markets for income distribution
 In line with pre-thinking. Hence correct

D. the government had no intentions of confiscating property during the Great Depression
 Cannot be inferred. Hence incorrect

E. income redistribution would be insufficient to solve the country’s economic woes during the Great Depression
 Cannot be inferred. Hence incorrect

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is a good day to be alive, cheers!

HarishD · Answer

4. An assumption underlying the author’s assertion in the second paragraph is that

Difficulty Level: 600

Explanation

This is an apply information question. An assumption is necessary to tie an argument together. In the second paragraph, the author holds that “the American spirit of Lockean liberalism and rugged individualism runs deep. It appears that most people are content to trust income distribution to the private market.” If the author is arguing that most people trust the market because of their spirit of Lockean liberalism and rugged individualism, then the assumption must be choice C, that there is a connection between the two. The other choices are not relevant to the author’s argument.

Answer: C (C. Lockean liberalism and rugged individualism entail a reliance on private markets for income distribution)

I thought the option (C) is the repharse of the highlighted sentence. I knew that's what the author's assumption is, but I didn't select it, as it is already mentioned in the paragraph. Just like CR questions.

Can you highlight little bit on it........

Can you highlight little bit on it........

On the whole, the American population has very little taste for income

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

On the whole, the American population has very little taste for income

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