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

Question

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Passage # 45, Date : 23-FEB-2019
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Prior to the fall of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), Mikhail Gorbachev, seeing a country falling behind its Western rival and a people increasingly clamoring for change, addressed the growing internal unrest in the summer of 1987 by introducing a series of reforms known as perestroika (literally, restructuring). In Perestroika: New Thinking for Our Country and the World, Mikhail Gorbachev discussed his analysis of the problems facing the USSR and his plans to solve them. Perhaps the most pressing and visible problem facing the USSR in the last 1980s came in the form of the country’s consistently mediocre economic performance, despite its vast natural resource wealth and large labor force. Gorbachev flatly admitted that economic failures were increasing and current policies were failing to offer a sustainable remedy. Failing to take advantage of the numerous scientific and technological advancements available, the USSR relied on inefficient and outdated business models. As a result, Gorbachev said, "in the last fifteen years the national income growth rates had declined by more than a half and by the beginning of the eighties had fallen to a level close to economic stagnation." With business executives focused on using more resources (in order to employ more people) instead of becoming more efficient, the country produced poor quality products unable to compete in a global economy. Further, this inefficiency led to shortages: "the Soviet Union, the world’s biggest producer of steel, raw materials, fuel and energy, has shortfalls in them due to wasteful or inefficient use."

The decrepit economy engendered social unrest and woe that only compounded economic difficulties and societal misery. Gorbachev wrote of "a gradual erosion of the ideological and moral values of our people" and noted the considerable growth in "alcoholism, drug addiction and crime." Accentuating these difficulties, the Communist government often ignored the needs of the average citizen, causing distrust and resentment. Perhaps the most destructive element of the social unraveling and inadequate government response was the mediocre education system. Gorbachev said, "Creative thinking was driven out from the social sciences, and superfluous and voluntarist assessments and judgments were declared indisputable truths." Although Gorbachev also opined about the growing public disbelief in the content of the immense government propaganda campaigns, the extent to which economic underdevelopment and social deviance gripped Soviet culture made the collapse of the USSR virtually inevitable in the minds of many observers. When combined with glasnost (literally, openness), Gorbachev’s plan that allowed greater transparency, perestroika actually served to hasten the collapse of the USSR. Contrary to its purpose, perestroika ensured that the fall of the USSR would occur sooner rather than later. 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.   1 
 B 
 Q. 1 Which of the following best describes the primary objective of the passage?

A) Argue that the implementation of perestroika caused the fall of the Soviet Union
B) Explain perestroika along with its roots and consequences
C) Analyze the pros and cons of Mikhail Gorbachev's decision to implement perestroika
D) Explain the short-falls of a communist system and offer remedies
E) Discuss the role of Mikhail Gorbachev in propelling the USSR towards ceasing to exist

2 
 D 
 Q. 2 The passage implies that which of the following was most true of the Soviet economy prior to perestroika:

A) Suffered from underperformance due to excessive government regulation and micro-management
B) Failed to meet its potential as a result of corruption and bureaucratic overhead
C) Lacked adequate natural resources to grow efficiently, regardless of business management
D) Focused on achieving high-employment rather than export-capable products
E) With declining growth and stagnation, stood in the worst shape ever in USSR history

3 
 C 
 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?

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
D) Justification for the USSR's neglect of the needs of many citizens
E) Primary cause of the USSR's poor educational system

4 
 B 
 Q. 4 According to the passage, which of the following best describes the relationship between perestroika and the fall of the USSR?

A) Perestroika mildly delayed the fall of the USSR, although the decline of the Soviet Republic was inevitable
B) Perestroika hastened the decline of the USSR
C) Perestroika enabled the USSR to pursue much needed restructuring
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

5 
 C 
 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?

A) They would have never crossed the mind of Lenin as being conceptually possible, let alone desirable or feasible
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

6 
 E 
 Q. 6 Gorbachev offers all of the following as evidence of the need for perestroika EXCEPT:

A) Shortages in natural resources due to inefficiency
B) Declines in economic output and growth
C) Slides in moral values of citizens
D) Erosion of new and ingenious thinking
E) Frustrations with the results of past reform efforts

7 
 A 
 Q. 7 Which of the following words best describes the passage's tone?

A) Primarily Analytical
B) Highly Critical
C) Frustrated
D) Not Objective
E) Deeply Introspective

Source:   Platinum GMAT  
Difficulty Level:   700

soumya170293 · Answer

Please explain question no 1, 2 & 6.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

kanthaliya

In order to ascertain the primary objective of a passage, it is important to consider the logical flow and conclusion of the passage.

Logical Flow/Outline:  
1st Paragraph--Introduction: What is perestroika
2nd Paragraph--Why Perestroika: Explaining the business and economic problems facing the USSR
3rd Paragraph--Why Perestroika: Explaining the social and cultural problems facing the USSR
4th Paragraph--Conclusion: the consequences and effects of perestroika

Conclusion:  
"When combined with glasnost (literally, openness), Gorbachev’s plan that allowed greater transparency, perestroika actually served to hasten the collapse of the USSR. Contrary to its purpose, perestroika ensured that the fall of the USSR would occur sooner rather than later."

A.  The passage makes no mention of the implementation of perestroika as the problem, saying instead: "perestroika actually served to hasten the collapse of the USSR"
 B. This encapsulates the outline, logical flow, and argument of the passage. 
 C.  The passage explains why Gorbachev implemented perestroika and notes the negative consequences of this decision. However, no attention is paid to elucidating the pros of perestroika. 
 D.  The passage does not discuss the problems of the communist system in general and philosophical terms, focusing instead on the situation in the USSR and how perestroika sought to address this situation. 
 E.  The passage spends most of its time focusing on perestroika and the reason for its implementation, not on Mikhail Gorbachev and his role in the collapse of the USSR.

Hope it Helps

narayandutta · Answer

Q5.
Why C , not A ?

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

Sajjad1994 · Answer

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

prashant6923 · Answer

Explanation of Question 7?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

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?

Mayank2211 · Answer

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

Sajjad1994 · Answer

(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

BBD · Answer

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

Saiyam09 · Answer

I'm confused in Q3, author is mentioning that the "Perhaps
the most destructive element of the social unraveling and inadequate
government response was the mediocre education system" , so shouldn't the answer be E here , where does the author mention about people unrest?

SOMNATH1812 · Answer

Hi there,  Saiyam09

The author in the excerpt states that the mediocre education system is probably the most fatal of all  elements  (not a characteristic) to cause social unrest in the USSR.
What the USSR's troubled economy had to offer in the run-up to perestroika was social unrest fueled by cultural and economic failures.

mikemcgarry , do help if I missed addressing the point well.

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

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

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