Prior to the fall of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), M

Q5.
Why C , not A ?

Q7.
I am confused between Primary analytical and highly critical.
Can anyone explain why we chose A over B.

In order to understand why an author uses a word, it is important to examine the context of that word's usage:

"Only a few years after Gorbachev implemented changes that would have been unthinkable and antithetical to the philosophy of previous leaders like Lenin, Stalin, and Khrushchev, the USSR fell."

A. The change that is being referred to here is perestroika (economic restructuring) and glasnost (societal openness and governmental transparency).

B. The changes in perestroika and glasnost would have seemed possible to any Soviet ruler during the 20th century as there was nothing new or technically ground-breaking in perestroika or glasnost. The particulars of both perestroika and glasnost, as described by the passage, contained nothing that would have been difficult to conceptualize or understand for any ruler--let alone one with access to thousands of intelligent advisors.

C. This concept of the word unthinkable fits the context within which the word is used. Due to the fact that Gorbachev's plans amounted to clear breaks with the past, it is reasonable to assume that past leaders did not find these programs desirable since the USSR was previously governed such that the economic policies of perestroika and social policies of glasnost were absent.

D. The particulars of both perestroika and glasnost, as described by the passage, were not difficult to understand and yet were not appealing (otherwise it is reasonable to assume that past leaders would have already tried these programs and their policies would already be in effect).

E. Due to the fact that Gorbachev's plans amounted to a clear break with the past, it is reasonable to assume that past leaders did not find these programs desirable since the USSR was previously governed such that the economic policies of perestroika and social policies of glasnost were absent.

Hope It Helps

Explanation of Question 7?

Correct Answer: A

Throughout the passage, the author is explaining perestroika, discussing why Gorbachev felt it was necessary, and arguing about its impact on the fall of the USSR. The passage takes the tone of an analytical essay. Further, the author appears to be rather objective, avoiding ad hominem attacks, slurs, etc. and instead relying of quotations from Gorbachev himself.

A. Given the passage's emphasis on describing the roots of perestroika and its consequences, "primarily analytical" describes the passage's tone.
B. The passage does not criticize Gorbachev. Instead, it explains why Gorbachev made the decision he did.
C. There is no hint of frustration on the part of the author in the passage.
D. Although the author does not mention any positive benefits from perestroika, the absence of ad hominem attacks and propagandistic language and the presence of a complicated explanation of why perestroika seemed logical make it difficult to charge an absence of objectivity on the part of the passage's author.
E. The passage's author is never mentioned nor are there any examples of introspection on the part of the author, Gorbachev, or people of the USSR.

How helpful was this explanation?

Can you help me in Q.5, i am confused between option a and c.

(A) The changes in perestroika and glasnost would have seemed possible to any Soviet ruler during the 20th century as there was nothing new or technically ground-breaking in perestroika or glasnost.

(C) This concept of the word unthinkable fits the context within which the word is used. Due to the fact that Gorbachev's plans amounted to clear breaks with the past, it is reasonable to assume that past leaders did not find these programs desirable since the USSR was previously governed such that the economic policies of perestroika and social policies of glasnost were absent.

Answer: C

Hope it helps

Notes
P1= PG in 1987 proposed restructuring. there were many causes but primary - dismal Economic performance due to inefficiencies. By 1980 reached Stagnations.

P2= Economy issues fuelled unrest- people lost their moral values. Mediocre education system- creative thinking out. Propaganda in people's mind. MG introduces openness which calls for USSR group to go down early to save few.




Q. 1 Which of the following best describes the primary objective of the passage?
--Primary purpose= Illuminate as in what MG considered primary issues of USSR in his restructuring(perestroika) proposals
A) Argue that the implementation of perestroika caused the fall of the Soviet Union = it is true but was not the intention of perestroika and has been discussed in the last paragraph in short. Incorrect
B) Explain perestroika along with its roots and consequences= His restructuring proposals details root (issues) and consequences of those issues has been discussed = Correct
C) Analyze the pros and cons of Mikhail Gorbachev's decision to implement perestroika= The author has not discussed the pro and cons. Incorrect
D) Explain the short-falls of a communist system and offer remedies = the offer remedies part isn't discussed in the passage. Incorrect
E) Discuss the role of Mikhail Gorbachev in propelling the USSR towards ceasing to exist= his role has not been discussed. Incorrect


Q. 2 The passage implies that which of the following was most true of the Soviet economy prior to perestroika:
-- before restructuring decisions taken by MG. As detailed in the passage- the main issue was due to inefficiencies and the businesses were hiring more people rather than changing their business model to increase output.
A) Suffered from underperformance due to excessive government regulation and micro-management= govt regulation and micro management has not been discussed. Incorrect.
B) Failed to meet its potential as a result of corruption and bureaucratic overhead= Corruption and bureaucratic overhead has not been discussed. Incorrect
C) Lacked adequate natural resources to grow efficiently, regardless of business management= there were enough natural resources. Incorrect.
D) Focused on achieving high-employment rather than export-capable products = High employment-> more people were hired which drove the cost and were tough to be sold in global market. Correct.
E) With declining growth and stagnation, stood in the worst shape ever in USSR history= the worst shape has not been discussed in the passage. Incorrect.


Q. 3 Based upon the passage, the author would likely agree most with which of the following characterizations of the impact of the USSR's troubled economy during the days leading up to perestroika?
-- fuelled unrest and people lost moral values. Matches with C.
A) Cause for renewed determination in communist philosophy
B) Reason that natives looked increasingly to the West and capitalism
C) Source of frustration and discomfort among citizens that fueled social friction= Correct
D) Justification for the USSR's neglect of the needs of many citizens
E) Primary cause of the USSR's poor educational system


Q. 4 According to the passage, which of the following best describes the relationship between perestroika and the fall of the USSR?
-- hastened the decline by the shared concept of openness. Matches with B
A) Perestroika mildly delayed the fall of the USSR, although the decline of the Soviet Republic was inevitable= The passage has mentioned that the inevitable but in the minds of the observers. It does not stand as a fact. Incorrect.
B) Perestroika hastened the decline of the USSR - Correct
C) Perestroika enabled the USSR to pursue much needed restructuring= we don't know that this is what USSR actually needed. Incorrect(Could have been correct if also mentioned what MG thought USSR needed)
D) Perestroika softened the impact from the collapse of the USSR
E) Perestroika had little relationship to the decline of the USSR, which was inevitable anyway


Q. 5 In the context of the passage, the author most likely uses the word "unthinkable" (in the last sentence) to help convey which of the following points about the changes Gorbachev implemented in perestroika?
-- Unthinkable in the last paragraph suggest that people like Lennin would have never approved of such idea. matches with option C.
A) They would have never crossed the mind of Lenin as being conceptually possible, let alone desirable or feasible= Extreme choice- we don't know from the passage that it never crossed their mind. All we know that they would not approve of such idea. Incorrect.
B) They would have been difficult for the mind of Lenin to comprehend intelligibly
C) They would have been seen by Lenin as undesirable and poor choices
D) They would have been seen by Lenin as incomprehensible yet appealing
E) They would have been considered highly desirable


Q. 6 Gorbachev offers all of the following as evidence of the need for perestroika EXCEPT:
-- Past reform efforts. You will have to go through each option here.
A) Shortages in natural resources due to inefficiency= discussed, 1st para
B) Declines in economic output and growth= discussed, 1st para
C) Slides in moral values of citizens= discussed, 2nd para
D) Erosion of new and ingenious thinking= discussed, 2nd para
E) Frustrations with the results of past reform efforts= Correct


Q. 7 Which of the following words best describes the passage's tone?
--In my notes it is neutral
A) Primarily Analytical = the tone is just examining the issues and consequences shared by MG. Correct.
B) Highly Critical= the author has just been detailing out the MG's restructuring ideas
C) Frustrated
D) Not Objective= I don't know. This also seemed correct to me but I chose A considering that not objective may means going haywire.
E) Deeply Introspective

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