The novelist and social theorist Charlotte Perkins Gilman, whose writ

Question

The novelist and social theorist Charlotte Perkins 
Gilman, whose writings were widely read and
discussed in the early twentieth century, played an 
important role in the debate about the theories of
  (5)   Charles Darwin and their application to society. 
Darwin's theory of evolution did not directly apply to
social ideology, but various intellectuals translated his
ideas of natural selection into social language and 
argued about their interpretation. Some of these
  (10)   Social Darwinist theorists held that the nature of 
human social interactions is strictly determined by the 
process of biological evolution, and that it is futile to 
try to meddle with the competitive struggle for 
existence and the survival of the fittest. Another, more
  (15)   activist group of Social Darwinists held that although
changes in human societies, like those that occur in
biological species, do constitute a sort of evolution,
this evolution at the level of a human society need not
be competitive, but can emerge through collective
  (20)   action within society.

Gilman identified herself with this latter 
ideological camp and applied evolutionary theory in
the movement for social change. The central thesis of
this group of Social Darwinists was that although
  (25)   people, like all life, are the products of natural
evolutionary forces, the principles of change that
determine the development of organisms have brought
humans to the point where it is possible for us to
contribute consciously to the evolutionary process, to
  (30)   redesign and mold our societies in appropriate ways.
This, for Gilman, was not simply a descriptive 
observation about humanity but was also a source of
ethical responsibility. She argued that since a prime
source of social evolution is human work, whether in
  (30)   crafts, trades, arts, or sciences, one of the primary
ethical responsibilities of a person is to identify and 
engage in work that is societally relevant and that
makes the best use of that person's talents.

Gilman was not merely engaged in an intellectual
  (40)   debate. Motivated by her ethical vision and convinced
of the plasticity of human nature, Gilman vehemently
sought to break the molds into which people, especially
women, had been thrust. In both her fiction and her
social theory she urges women to further social
  (45)   evolution by collectively working toward a
reorganization of society. A central goal of the
reorganization she envisioned would be the abandonment
of gender-specific work roles and hierarchical
relationships. Gilman believed that at one time such arrange
  (50)   -ments had been necessary for evolution because
what she felt were male traits of assertiveness, combat,
and display were essential for the development of a
complex society. Future progress, she believed, now
required the restoration of a balance that would
  (55)   include what she saw as female qualities of
cooperation and nurturance.     1 
 1. Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main point of the passage?

(A) Gilman's activist social theory, which called for the abolition of gender-specific work roles, contributed the central doctrine to one type of Social Darwinism that distinguished it from the other, more competitive-minded Social Darwinist camp.
(B) Although Gilman aligned herself with the activist group of Social Darwinists, she rejected some of its doctrines, calling instead for gender equality and the general recognition of traditionally female qualities.
(C) Unlike most Social Darwinists of her time, Gilman saw the issues involved in Social Darwinist debate as transcending abstract theoretical concerns and having important implications for human society, especially for women.
(D) Gilman's version of Social Darwinism held that people can and should contribute actively to the social evolution of humanity, and in her writings she advised women to do so through efforts to eliminate traditional gender roles.
(E) Gilman, whose important contributions to the debate over the application of Darwinism to social ideology were widely recognized in the early twentieth century, should also be recognized for her writings on women's social issues.

2 
 2. The passage most strongly suggests that which one of the following statements is true?

(A) Gilman's social theory was unlike other applications of evolutionary theory to the social realm because it was not closely allied with any of the major political movements of her time.
(B) One of Gilman's innovations was the introduction of social discourse into the debate about the theories of Charles Darwin, which prior to her work had focused purely on biological issues.
(C) Gilman worked in direct collaboration with other social activists toward the implementation of a set of social reforms that were based on her evolutionary doctrines.
(D) Charles Darwin's writings on the evolution of biological species influenced Gilman's work only indirectly through the writings of other Social Darwinists.
(E) Other evolutionary theorists contemporary with or prior to Gilman shared her view about whether or not evolutionary theory has implications for social practice.

3 
 3. Which one of the following sequences most accurately expresses the organization of the passage?  
 
(A) The author identifies a particular individual as a proponent of one of two versions of a theory, and then describes how that individual drew practical implications from the theory and relates some of those implications.
(B) The author describes the relationship of a particular individual to an intellectual community, characterizes in general terms a theory held by that individual, contrasts that theory with another related theory, and then rejects one of those two competing theories.
(C) The author proposes an interpretation of a particular individual's writings, explains how those writings relate to a more general theoretical context, and then argues for the proposed interpretation of the individual's writings.
(D) The author describes some reasoning used by a group of theorists, evaluates that reasoning, attributes similar reasoning to a particular individual, and then shows how the proposed evaluation applies to specific arguments made by that individual.
(E) The author presents some historical facts about the development of a scientific theory, explains the role played by a particular individual in the formulation of that theory, and then summarizes the responses of critics to that individual's work.

4 
 4. The passage indicates that Gilman believed that which one of the following can be a significant factor in the evolution of society?

(A) reclamation of ancient social theories
(B) cross-cultural communication
(C) greater literacy
(D) skilled occupations
(E) future uses of dialectical methods in the social sciences

5 
 5. The passage gives evidence that Gilman valued which one of the following as an instrument of social progress in her time?

(A) industrialization
(B) fiction writing
(C) international travel
(D) religious training
(E) combative personality traits

6 
 6. The passage can most accurately be described as which one of the following?

(A) a defense of the principles of social theory that were promulgated by a particular group of writers and activists
(B) a description of the role played by a particular writer in an intellectual controversy over the consequences of a scientific theory
(C) an explication of the theoretical points of disagreement between two closely related social theories that have almost identical goals
(D) a defense of one interpretation of a particular writer's views, together with a rejection of a competing interpretation of those views
(E) an introduction to a general type of scientific theory, clarified by a detailed presentation of one writer's version of that theory

7 
 7. Which one of the following is implied by Gilman's views as described in the passage?

(A) Some social conditions on which social evolution depends at certain times in human history are detrimental to further social evolution at other times in history.
(B) The types of changes that constitute genuine social evolution can no longer be brought about except through coordinated efforts directed at consciously formulated goals.
(C) Gender-based hierarchical relationships, which predated, and led to the development of, gender-specific work roles, will probably be especially difficult to eradicate.
(D) While Social Darwinist theories are essentially descriptive and thus do not have ethical implications, they can be useful rhetorically in communicating ethical messages.
(E) Continuation of the process of social evolution will lead inevitably to the inclusion of more cooperation and nurturance in social arrangements

rs999 · Answer

Can help with Q7

(A) Some social conditions on which social evolution depends at certain times in human history are detrimental to further social evolution at other times in history.
 The final part of the last para clearly implies this

(B) The types of changes that constitute genuine social evolution can no longer be brought about except through coordinated efforts directed at consciously formulated goals.
 Passage doesnt mention anything about goals. There are discussions about doing what one is best at or how cooperation is important for future but no goals.

(C) Gender-based hierarchical relationships, which predated, and led to the development of, gender-specific work roles, will probably be especially difficult to eradicate.
 Such relationships need to be eradicated and the mentioned scholar is trying to do it but no discussions about the difficulty of achieving this.

(D) While Social Darwinist theories are essentially descriptive and thus do not have ethical implications, they can be useful rhetorically in communicating ethical messages.
 Nothing in the passage suggests this. Irrelevant.

(E) Continuation of the process of social evolution will lead inevitably to the inclusion of more cooperation and nurturance in social arrangements.
 It will not be "inevitable". The scholar's efforts shows that it will take active effort to break gender barriers and acheive that change.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Q1 - Why is option A wrong exactly? It explains much more core parts of the passage than option D IMHO

Answer option (A)  is incorrect because it misrepresents the main point of the passage. While it mentions Gilman's activist social theory and her contribution to one type of Social Darwinism, it does not capture the broader focus of the passage, which is Gilman's application of evolutionary theory to social change and her emphasis on gender equality and the reorganization of society.

The passage primarily discusses Gilman's views on social evolution, her ethical responsibilities, and her advocacy for the elimination of gender-specific work roles.  Option (D)  accurately captures these key points and aligns with the main ideas presented in the passage.

Q5 - She did use fictional writing but dont know how to the implication was drawn that this is an instrument of social progress.

In the passage, it is stated that Gilman used both her fiction and her social theory to advocate for social progress and the reorganization of society. While the passage does not explicitly state that fiction writing is an instrument of social progress, it can be inferred based on Gilman's actions and beliefs.

Gilman, as mentioned in the passage, was motivated by her ethical vision and believed in the plasticity of human nature. She sought to break the molds that society had imposed on people, particularly women, and urged them to work collectively towards a reorganization of society. In her writings, including her fiction, Gilman advocated for gender equality and the abandonment of gender-specific work roles and hierarchical relationships.

By using fiction writing as a means to convey her ideas and promote social change, Gilman utilized storytelling and narrative to challenge societal norms and advocate for a more egalitarian society. Fiction writing, in this context, can be seen as a powerful tool to shape public opinion, challenge existing ideologies, and inspire collective action.

While the passage does not explicitly discuss the impact or effectiveness of Gilman's fiction writing on social progress, the fact that she actively used her writings to further her ideas suggests that she valued fiction writing as an instrument of social progress during her time.

Q6 - Why is E wrong?

Answer  (E)  is incorrect because the passage does not serve as an introduction to a general type of scientific theory clarified by a detailed presentation of one writer's version of that theory. While the passage discusses the theories of Charles Darwin and their application to society, it primarily focuses on the role and beliefs of Charlotte Perkins Gilman, a novelist and social theorist, in the intellectual controversy surrounding those theories. The passage explores Gilman's identification with a particular ideological camp of Social Darwinists and her application of evolutionary theory in the movement for social change. It delves into Gilman's beliefs, ethical responsibilities, and goals for social reorganization, particularly concerning gender-specific work roles. The passage provides specific information about Gilman and her contributions rather than presenting a general overview of a scientific theory.

GMATScorer21 · Answer

Hi!

I believe the explanation for option D being wrong can be more exhaustive. I think there is something very similar (or same) as option D mentioned in the passage. I would like to know if we can call this option irrelevant or close but incorrect, and the justification for it.

The novelist and social theorist Charlotte Perkins Gilman, whose writ

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The novelist and social theorist Charlotte Perkins Gilman, whose writ

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