Proponents of legalized gambling tend to stress its economic benefits

Question

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Passage # 35, Date: 18-Apr-2020
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Proponents of legalized gambling tend to stress its economic benefits while opponents point to its social costs. Because communities that embrace gambling experience both negative and positive impacts, Native American tribal leaders, governors, mayors, and citizens need to know which effects are more significant. However, much of the existing research on the economic impact of gambling is flawed by insufficient data, poor or underdeveloped methodology, or researchers' biases. Furthermore, high-quality and relevant research focusing on the social effects of gambling is virtually nonexistent.

Much of the research used to support the introduction of legalized gambling is based on  testimonial evidence  of casino employees who enthusiastically describe better jobs, improved health and retirement benefits, and new homes and vehicles obtained through work for casinos. In a survey conducted by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC), for example, respondents in five out of nine communities surveyed cited new employment opportunities as a "very positive advantage" of gambling. In the same vein, statistical information from Atlantic City, where casino gambling was introduced in 1977, indicates that the unemployment rate decreased from 12.2 percent in 1976 to 7.8 percent in 1998. However, such positive reports often ignore other facts, such as the failure to achieve expected economic benefits and the impact on existing small business owners. In the same NORC study cited above, respondents in the remaining four communities surveyed indicated that unemployment remained a problem. In the case of Atlantic City, the Restaurant and Tavern Association reported that the number of non-casino restaurants and taverns dropped from 311 in 1978 to 66 in 1998. Mixed research findings can also be found with respect to Native American tribal communities. Many tribal members affirm that the advent of casinos has provided jobs; made possible improved hospitals, clinic facilities and schools; and provided resources to make investments in other industries and enterprises. However, some employees in tribal casinos complain about lack of job security, absence of federal and state antidiscrimination laws, and lack of workers' compensation benefits.

Social costs of gambling are also important to regulatory decisions. However, social costs have not been adequately studied, and identification of the social effects of gambling is hampered by the tendency of individuals who suffer from negative effects from gambling also to suffer from other addictive disorders, thus complicating the process of attributing negative effects to any one cause. Furthermore, in destination casino resort areas, the economic benefits are captured locally while most of the social costs are exported elsewhere - that is, to where the gamblers actually reside. A broader geographical perspective may lead to a far different conclusion than a locally focused study. In order for elected officials and their constituents to choose an appropriate direction with respect to legal gambling, high quality research is needed that will focus on both the social and economic impacts of this industry.   1 
 1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

A. reconcile conflicting points of view
B. analyze a social issue
C. advocate further research
D. challenge a research finding
E. summarize a research finding

2 
 2. The author refers to "testimonial evidence" ( Highlighted ) most likely in order to

A. imply a lack of rigor in identifying evidence to be included
B. indicate that the evidence was given under oath
C. suggest that a rigorous standard in including evidence was followed
D. emphasize the probative value of the statements in question
E. draw a contrast with the results of the survey referenced in the following sentence

3 
 3. The author refers to the unemployment rate in Atlantic City most likely in order to

A. indicate a problem with the NORC survey
B. provide an example of evidence cited in favor of legalized gambling
C. illustrate that a correlation does not necessarily represent causality
D. confirm the validity of the NORC survey
E. suggest a negative consequence of legalized gambling

SiffyB · Answer

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to
 
A. reconcile conflicting points of view
B. analyze a social issue
  C. advocate further research 
 D. challenge a research finding
E. summarize a research finding

After having read the whole passage, something that jumped right at me multiple times throughout the passage was the author speaking about lack of existing research and calling for more research to be done. After reading the answer options, I was safely able to eliminate (A), (D) and (E) simply because they were inconsistent with the passage. I boiled my analysis down to options (B) and (C). B appealed to me a lot until I realised that the passage is not able "gambling" but about "legalization of gambling". While gambling may be a social issue, legalization of it is definitely not. 
For this reason, I went ahead and selected (C) as the correct choice. If you notice, it is recurrent throughout the passage.

2. The author refers to "testimonial evidence" (Highlighted) most likely in order to
 
A. imply a lack of rigor in identifying evidence to be included
B. indicate that the evidence was given under oath
C. suggest that a rigorous standard in including evidence was followed
  D. emphasize the probative value of the statements in question 
 E. draw a contrast with the results of the survey referenced in the following sentence

This was definitely a tough one. There is not much given in the passage to really determine the answer, IMO. Let's do POE:
(A) the author doesn't really need to imply rigor or lack of it to prove his/her point. So, I eliminated (A).
(B) Yes, testimonial evidence is usually statements said in court under oath, but is that really what the author wants to achieve here?
(C) no required. (refer to option (A) explanation)
(D) this is probably correct and also a subtle way to say it.
(E) The following sentence is also in the same direction - people happy with legalized gambling. Thus, there is no contrast.

3. The author refers to the unemployment rate in Atlantic City most likely in order to
 
A. indicate a problem with the NORC survey
B. provide an example of evidence cited in favor of legalized gambling
C. illustrate that a correlation does not necessarily represent causality
D. confirm the validity of the NORC survey
  E. suggest a negative consequence of legalized gambling

The author starts by explaining the drop in unemployment rate as a positive aspect of gambling and then goes on to state potential downsides to the other businesses in the area. Thus, option (E) is most consistent with what the author wants to imply by taking this example.

bM22 · Answer

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

A. reconcile conflicting points of view
B. analyze a social issue
 C. advocate further research
 D. challenge a research finding
E. summarize a research finding

Correct Answer C
 Explanation - as its mentioned in the last para : "A broader geographical perspective may lead to a far different conclusion than a locally focused study." The author suggests that further research is necessary for the better analysis.
Option A - incorrect as author doesnt reconcile any conflicting points of view
Option B - incorrect, its more of an analysis whethere legalized gambling is for the better or worse.
Option D - incorrect, as author doesnt challenge the research findings, he just discusses it.
Option E - incorrect, its a close one to option C, but wrong because no proper conclusion, apart from suggestions for more research can be drawn.

2. The author refers to "testimonial evidence" (Highlighted) most likely in order to

A. imply a lack of rigor in identifying evidence to be included
 B. indicate that the evidence was given under oath
C. suggest that a rigorous standard in including evidence was followed
D. emphasize the probative value of the statements in question
E. draw a contrast with the results of the survey referenced in the following sentence

Correct Answer - A
 Explanation - its clearly mentioned in the passage: " Furthermore, high-quality and relevant research focusing on the social effects of gambling is virtually nonexistent..", implying that even though the evidence that the research used in support of legalized gambling is well authenticated as its the very words of the employees of the casino who benefitted from it, still more research is required as there are many loopholes in study.
Option B - incorrect, as opposite is mentioned in the passage, and the word testimonial itself means a formal certificate of character, not an oath.
Option C - incorrect, unrelated to the question and passage.
Option D - incorrect, could be but the author is not keen on emphasizing the evident value, he is just proposing one side of the research, which is supported by hard evidence.
Option E - incorrect, opposite is mentioned in the passage.

3. The author refers to the unemployment rate in Atlantic City most likely in order to

A. indicate a problem with the NORC survey
 B. provide an example of evidence cited in favor of legalized gambling
 C. illustrate that a correlation does not necessarily represent causality
D. confirm the validity of the NORC survey
E. suggest a negative consequence of legalized gambling

Correct Answer - B
 Explanation - The author mentions the data from Atlantic city in order to site the flaw in the research, as it is mentioned in the passage:
" In a survey conducted by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC), for example, respondents in five out of nine communities surveyed cited new employment opportunities as a "very positive advantage" of gambling. In the same vein, statistical information from Atlantic City, where casino gambling was introduced in 1977, indicates that the unemployment rate decreased from 12.2 percent in 1976 to 7.8 percent in 1998. However, such positive reports often ignore other facts, such as the failure to achieve expected economic benefits and the impact on existing small business owners. In the same NORC study cited above, respondents in the remaining four communities surveyed indicated that unemployment remained a problem. In the case of Atlantic City, the Restaurant and Tavern Association reported that the number of non-casino restaurants and taverns dropped from 311 in 1978 to 66 in 1998."
This clearly implies that the NORC research only studied one side of the gambling and not the other side.
Option A - clearly incorrect, as the data is mostly in sync with the research as we can see from the passage.
Option C - incorrect, out of scope.
Option D - incorrect, as its to suggest a problem with the survey, not confirm its validity.
Option E - incorrect, as out of scope for the answer.

SSandy066 · Answer

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to
A. reconcile conflicting points of view
B. analyze a social issue
C. advocate further research -> Correct
Exp:
Para-1: For legalization of gambling required research study based on Economical benefit as well as social effect. Present research studies have flaws.
Para-2: Mentioned the available research study, based on economic benefit. Provided NOCR research study and its flaws. Mentioned other studies -> adverse effects.
Para-3: Effect on social cost due to gambling and why is is required to include in reassure study. Further research study is recommended. 
D. challenge a research finding
E. summarize a research finding

2. The author refers to "testimonial evidence" (Highlighted) most likely in order to

A. imply a lack of rigor in identifying evidence to be included
B. indicate that the evidence was given under oath
C. suggest that a rigorous standard in including evidence was followed
D. emphasize the probative value of the statements in question
E. draw a contrast with the results of the survey referenced in the following sentence ->Correct
Exp:
Para-2: In support to "testimonial evidence" NOCR research study and its flaws, further mentioned other studies -> adverse effects.

3. The author refers to the unemployment rate in Atlantic City most likely in order to

A. indicate a problem with the NORC survey.
B. provide an example of evidence cited in favor of legalized gambling
C. illustrate that a correlation does not necessarily represent causality
D. confirm the validity of the NORC survey
E. suggest a negative consequence of legalized gambling -> Correct.
Exp:
Para 2:.. indicated that unemployment remained a problem. ……..the number of non-casino restaurants and taverns dropped from 311 in 1978 to 66 in 1998. ... also be found with respect to Native American tribal communities. Many tribal members affirm that the advent of casinos has provided jobs; made possible improved hospitals, clinic facilities and schools; and provided resources to make investments in other industries and enterprises. However,..... employees in tribal casinos complain about lack of job security, absence of federal and state antidiscrimination laws, and lack of workers' compensation benefits.

Gowtham91 · Answer

Q1.
Para1 introduces legalised gambling and informs that sufficient research is not available to analyse its impacts. Para2 describes about existing research, mixed results and its shortcomings. Para3 describes opponents view of an uncovered research area and scope for extensive, exhaustive and complex research need.

A. The conflicting view points of proponents vs opponents is not reconciled. 
B. Since the passage talks both about the benefits (proponents view) and disadvantages (opponents view), it is analysing the social issue of legaising gambling, but this is not the primary purpose of the passage. 
 C. Correct  Para1 ends with saying that there is no current research to reconcile the proponents Vs opponents view. "Furthermore, high-quality and relevant research focusing on the social effects of gambling is virtually nonexistent. "Also para3 ends with suggesting a need for new research " In order for elected officials and their constituents to choose an appropriate direction with respect to legal gambling, high quality research is needed that will focus on both the social and economic impacts of this industry." Hence this is the primary purpose of the passage. 
D. Although existing research findings were presented, they are not challenged.
E. The existing research findings are presented, but is not the primary purpose of the passage.

Q2. (not sure)
A. When a evidence is included in research, this means (IMO), it is rigourous. 
B. "Testimonial Evidence" is not taken under oath. It is not mentioned as such. 
C. We can't infer if including testimonial evidence is rigourous standard or not. 
 D. Correct  The statement in question here supporters view of "legalisation of gambling". Hence it is mentioned to say that evidence used to present the support is valid.
E. It can't be used to draw a contrast.

Q3. 
A. The problem with the NORC survey is mixed results. Unemployment is not used to represent that problem. 
B. It is not an example of legalised gambling, but rather an impact of legalised gambling. 
 C. Correct  The author wants to convey that correlation between statistics presented by legalised gambling caused (causality) reduction in unemployment is not correct, as he also presented a increase in umployment rates in other 4 communities. 
D. No. It does not validate the NORC survey.
E. Unemployment has both increased and decreased in different areas and hence it does not deal only with -ve consequences.

varun325 · Answer

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

A. reconcile conflicting points of view. (Incorrect )There are conflict between the benefits and problems by legalizing gambling but it is not the primary purpose of the passage.
B. analyze a social issue. (Incorrect ) It is only mentioned in the last para but not the primary pupose 
C. advocate further research  ( correct)  In the last line of the passage author clearly advocates his point for writing this passage. 
"In order for elected officials and their constituents to choose an appropriate direction with respect to legal gambling, high quality research is needed that will focus on both the social and economic impacts of this industry."
D. challenge a research finding. (Incorrect ) Author never negates the findings but calls for further research by keeping more parameters in mind.
E. summarize a research finding. (Incorrect )

2. The author refers to "testimonial evidence" (Highlighted) most likely in order to

A. imply a lack of rigor in identifying evidence to be included (Incorrect )
B. indicate that the evidence was given under oath ( (Incorrect )
C. suggest that a rigorous standard in including evidence was followed. (Incorrect )

D. emphasize the probative value of the statements in question  ( correct)  The reason for reference to the highlighted word is to show the value of reason stated while legalizing the gambling business. 
In the second para "Much of the research used to support the introduction of legalized gambling is based on testimonial evidence of casino employees who enthusiastically describe better jobs, improved health and retirement benefits, and new homes and vehicles obtained through work for casinos"
Also, In the following lines , the author states although the economic benefit by legalizing gambling is evident , it is not upto the expected level.

E. draw a contrast with the results of the survey referenced in the following sentence (Incorrect ) A contrast is not drawn.

3. The author refers to the unemployment rate in Atlantic City most likely in order to

A. indicate a problem with the NORC survey.  (correct) . 
Th author states the survey results are positive but they did not took into account other factors.
"However, such positive reports often ignore other facts, such as the failure to achieve expected economic benefits and the impact on existing small business owners. In the same NORC study cited above, respondents in the remaining four communities surveyed indicated that unemployment remained a problem. In the case of Atlantic City, the Restaurant and Tavern Association reported that the number of non-casino restaurants and taverns dropped from 311 in 1978 to 66 in 1998"
B. provide an example of evidence cited in favor of legalized gambling ( incorrect) This is the data not an example.
C. illustrate that a correlation does not necessarily represent causality (incorrect). This is close but I would go with ' A"
D. confirm the validity of the NORC survey . (Incorrect )The validity of the survey is not a problem here 
E. suggest a negative consequence of legalized gambling. (Incorrect ) It is not a negative consequence rather a positive one.

AnirudhaS · Answer

Answers are in  bold .

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to
A. reconcile conflicting points of view
B. analyze a social issue
 C. advocate further research 
D. challenge a research finding
E. summarize a research finding

Explanation of question 1 
I have said this before that in finding out the main purpose of the passage it is critical to know about the tone of the author. In this passage the author has a strong opinion about leagalised gambling. And the opinion is neither positive or negative. The author also says the economic studies are not good and the social studies are non-existent. So he is therefore advocating more research as evident from the concluding line as well - "In order for elected officials and their constituents to choose an appropriate direction with respect to legal gambling,  high quality research is needed  that will focus on both the social and economic impacts of this industry." Therefore C is a strong option but lets look at the other alternatives as well.
A - The author is NOT reconciling. Out.
B - He is analysing a social issue no doubt, but he is also analysing the ECONOMIC aspects of it as well, which should be included in the main idea of the passage.
C - Discussed above, looks grand.
D - Well, he is challenging a finding which is spot on here - "However, much of the existing research on the economic impact of gambling is  flawed  by insufficient data, poor or underdeveloped methodology, or researchers' biases. Furthermore, high-quality and relevant research focusing on the social effects of gambling is  virtually nonexistent ." But is that the only thing discussed in the passage, and is challenging the idea the main purpose, surely not.
E - He also summarises the research, but is that the main purpose? I mean the author's intention was not to just summarise, was it? He is actually going further than that and saying that he wants more and better research to get to the extent of this problem.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. The author refers to "testimonial evidence" (Highlighted) most likely in order to
 A. imply a lack of rigor in identifying evidence to be included 
B. indicate that the evidence was given under oath
C. suggest that a rigorous standard in including evidence was followed
D. emphasize the probative value of the statements in question
E. draw a contrast with the results of the survey referenced in the following sentence

Explanation of question 2 
A - this is absolutely perfect. The author here says that the research is based on people who are OVERLY ENTHUSIASTIC. So basically the author is not happy with the 'selection criteria' of these people for the research. Hence 'lack of rigor' in identifying the evidence is spot on here.
B - Out of scope
C - It says a lack of rigourous standard sure, but does it suggests one? No, it just implies there is a lack of riorous standards. Out.
D - the only problem I have with D is that I do not know the meaning of probative. A lot of times we would face such a scenario. How I deal with this is trying to find the root word of this word probative. Probative might come from probe, which means to probe - or to look into a matter in details, for example the inspector is probing into this theft case. So is it to emphasize the probing value (lets say compelling evidence) of the statement in question? Well it is the opposite of this, isint it. Out.
E - Definitely not to draw any contrast, check the summary we found out in A. Out.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. The author refers to the unemployment rate in Atlantic City most likely in order to
A. indicate a problem with the NORC survey
 B. provide an example of evidence cited in favor of legalized gambling 
C. illustrate that a correlation does not necessarily represent causality
D. confirm the validity of the NORC survey
E. suggest a negative consequence of legalized gambling

Explanation of question 3 
For this question, a holistic approach is quite better. It is pretty clear that the author uses unemployment rate in Atlantic city to illustrate how well legalised gambling is working in favour of the community where it is set up. That is exactly why the author says that the unemployment rate goes down as mentioned here - "unemployment rate decreased from 12.2 percent in 1976 to 7.8 percent in 1998" It is therefore without a shadow of doubt that B is our answer.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

OAs of this RC are posted now, if anyone have any question kindly let me know.

1. C (600)
2. A (700)
3. B (650)

Overall: 650 (Medium)

Great work  bm2201  and  AnirudhaS

psls · Answer

Hi  Sajjad1994

Why A is incorrect?
Author states that the survey indicates positive consequence; however, it ignores others facts that are negative consequence of legalized gambling.

bM22 · Answer

Hi  TorGmatGod ,

Let me know if this helps.

The highlighted lines below:

show how legalized gambling decreased unemployment. Author mentions that unemployment rate in Atlantic City decreased from 12.2 percent in 1976 to 7.8 percent in 1998, when gambling was legalized, and then later provides a similar data mentioning that non-casino restaurants and taverns dropped from 311 in 1978 to 66 in 1998. This clearly implies that author is not referring to the unemployment rate in Atlantic City in order to indicate a problem with the NORC survey, as both the data sets mentioned simply provide evidence supporting legalized gambling.

Thus A is incorrect, while B is correct.

Thanks.

Nrj0601 · Answer

Official Explanation

Ques 1 
Based on our analysis in the Passage Map, (C) is correct. From the get-go, our author emphasizes that citizens and policy-makers need to know about the significant effects of gambling, but that current economic research is flawed and social research is nearly non-existent. In short, more research is necessary, a theme the passage returns to at the end.

No "reconciliation" (A) is attempted; if those in favor of and opposed to gambling are ever to be reconciled, it certainly won't be on the basis of the research that exists now. (B) may sound tempting, but remember, the "social" issue is part of paragraph 3 only. The challenge to existing research (D), and indeed its summary (E), come in paragraph 1 only.

Ques 2 
Testimonials are ordinarily given in support of a claim or fact, and these are in support of casinos. But the author has just gotten through explaining how weak and unpersuasive the current evidence is! We must pick up, therefore, a strong sense that these first person thumbs-up from casino employees need to be taken with a grain of salt, and so (A) is correct.

(B) refers to a different meaning of testimony altogether. (C) and (D) are each, in its own way, contradicted by the author, who is not at all happy with the state of things. The sentence that follows (E) is in fact equally enthusiastic about casinos.

Ques 3 
The entire reference goes like so:

Furthermore, in destination casino resort areas, the economic benefits are captured locally while most of the social costs are exported elsewhere – that is, to where the gamblers actually reside. A broader geographical perspective may lead to a far different conclusion than a locally focused study.

What's the gist of this? Basically, that a local study would see only the local economic benefits, with none of the exported social costs. Thus a local study would seem to be disproportionately skewed in the economic favor of gambling. Thus, (C) is correct.

Notice that (A), (B), and (E) contradict this paraphrase. (D) might seem to be implied, but a "far different conclusion" isn't necessarily more "significant."

Its_me_aka_ak · Answer

3. The author refers to the unemployment rate in Atlantic City most likely in order to

A. indicate a problem with the NORC survey
B. provide an example of evidence cited in favor of legalized gambling
C. illustrate that a correlation does not necessarily represent causality
D. confirm the validity of the NORC survey
E. suggest a negative consequence of legalized gambling

Why is C wrong. the bigger picture is that the example is mentioned to suggest that these findings are flawed

Examor · Answer

The primary purpose of the passage is to advocate further research in the field of legalized gambling. The author highlights the limitations of existing research, emphasizing the need for high-quality studies that comprehensively examine the economic and social impacts of legalized gambling. This call for further research underscores the importance of making informed decisions regarding this industry.

When discussing "testimonial evidence," the author implies a lack of rigor in identifying evidence to be included. This suggests that relying on subjective accounts may not provide a solid foundation for making decisions about legalized gambling.

Regarding the unemployment rate in Atlantic City, the author uses it to illustrate that a correlation does not necessarily represent causality. This example cautions against jumping to conclusions about the direct effects of legalized gambling on unemployment rates and highlights the complexity of economic impacts.

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AbhishekP220108 · Answer

Can you please explain how A is correct, and how we can say its lack of rigor? Also, if possible, the reason for eliminating other options.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Hi AbhishekP220108

I guess you are referring to question #2, read the following lines from the passage:

“Much of the research used to support the introduction of legalized gambling is based on testimonial evidence of casino employees who enthusiastically describe better jobs, improved health and retirement benefits, and new homes and vehicles obtained through work for casinos.”

“Testimonial evidence”  here is anecdotal, not systematically collected data. The author is highlighting that the evidence is subjective and possibly biased, and in the next sentences, contrasts it with a more systematic survey (NORC), and then points out other ignored facts. So the author’s purpose is to imply a lack of rigor in the evidence cited by proponents.

(A)  is correct

(B)  is not relevant;  “testimonial”  here means anecdotal, not sworn testimony in a legal sense.

(C)  is opposite as it suggest a rigorous standard was followed.

(D)  emphasize probative value again it is opposite, author is undermining its value.

(E)  draw a contrast with the survey referenced in following sentence which is possible, but the main point is to criticize the quality of the evidence, not primarily to set up a contrast (though a contrast exists). The  “most likely”  purpose is to show weakness, not just contrast.

Answer: A

Proponents of legalized gambling tend to stress its economic benefits

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

Proponents of legalized gambling tend to stress its economic benefits

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