In the summer of 1905, twenty-five Black intellectuals met at Niagara

Question

In the summer of 1905, twenty-five Black intellectuals met at Niagara Falls.They hoped to form a national organization that would battle all forms of segregation and discrimination and also oppose Booker T. Washington’s moderate and conciliatory policy. That policy, they felt, not only endangered Blacks’ rights but also inhibited protest. Opposed by Washington and all of his powerful friends, Black and White, the Niagara movement never enlisted the active support of more than a small group of Black leaders. Young Blacks who wanted to help the Black community felt that it was not politically wise to be associated with this new organization.

Booker T. Washington advocated hard work and political passivity: he argued that Blacks should devote their energies to getting rid of political agitators in their ranks and that they should always abide by the law of the land. Believing that hard work was the highest virtue, Washington urged Blacks to learn trades, and he established schools to make that possible. He assured them that if their work were perceived as indispensable to society, they would eventually achieve all the rights of citizenship. On the other hand, Niagara movement leader W. E. B. Du Bois wrote: “We claim for ourselves every single right that belongs to a free-born American - political, civil, and social; until we get these rights we will never cease to protest and assail the ears ofAmerica.” Washington and Du Bois became national symbols of, as well as the respective leaders of, these two mainstreams of Black thought.

Du Bois and his followers did not, for a long time, seriously encroach on Washington’s influence. But increasingly these more militant leaders forced Washington to concede his position as the sole Black spokesperson to the White community. Eventually Washington had to watch his own words and deeds carefully, for he had to reckon with reactions not only from the White community but from the Black community as well. Perhaps not surprisingly, by the time of his death in 1915, Washington’s position had moved noticeably toward that of his critics.

By the year 1910 the Niagara movement had ceased to be a serviceable organization. By this time, however, the stage was set for the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which became one of the principal organizations protesting racial discrimination in the Untied States.Though small and short-lived, the Niagara movement was important. It was the first organization founded to protest the way that Blacks had been treated since Reconstruction. It brought to open conflict and wide public debate two types of Black resistance, one stressing accommodation and the other urging overt protest. The Niagara movement’s strategy of active resistance to racial discrimination was later adopted by many organizations that sought to foster equal and just treatment for all people.   1 
 1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

(A) explain the reasons for the growth and success of the Niagara movement in the first decade of the twentieth century
(B) reveal the differences between the leadership techniques of W. E.B. Du Bois and those ofBooker T. Washington in the early 1900’s
(C) show the impact of Booker T. Washington’s views on Black political movements in the twentieth century
(D) discuss the nature of the Niagara movement and its historical role in the struggle for civil rights
(E) trace the origins of the NAACP and other political organizations to the Niagara movement

2 
 2. The author’s presentation of the material includes all of the following EXCEPT

(A) chronological arrangement of events
(B) comparison and contrast
(C) direct quotation
(D) statement of cause and effect
(E) development of an extended analogy

3 
 3. According to the passage, the strategy of W.E.B. Du Bois differed from the strategy of Booker T.Washington in that the strategy of Du Bois emphasized

(A) conciliation
(B) protest
(C) neutrality
(D) compromise
(E) caution

4 
 4. Which of the following statements about the Niagara movement does the passage best support?

(A) It opposed the idea that Black Americans should have to earn the inherent rights of citizenship through hard work
(B) It had a sudden impact on Washington’s ability to help Blacks achieve their rights
(C) It caused Washington to concede to his critics and adopt a more compliant position in relation toWhite society
(D) It was opposed by much of the White community, but supported by most of the Black community
(E) It was a Black organization that arose during the Reconstruction period

5 
 5. It can be inferred that the followers of W.E.B. Du Bois were interested in all of the following EXCEPT

(A) challenging Booker T. Washington’s pre-eminence as spokesperson for all Black Americans
(B) developing an organization controlled by a small group of prominent Black leaders
(C) opposing segregation, discrimination, and all other denials of Blacks’ political, civil or social rights
(D) protesting the policy of acquiescence in race relations
(E) increasing opportunities for Blacks to participate fully in American society

6 
 6. The passage contains information that would answer which of the following questions about the history of the Niagara movement?

I. How was Booker T. Washington’s policy of moderation affected by the Niagara movement?
II. Why, by the year 1910, had the Niagara movement ceased to serve its purpose?
III. In what respect might the NAACP be viewed as a successor of the Niagara movement?

(A) I only
(B) II only
(C) I and III only
(D) II and III only
(E) I, II, and III

7 
 7. Which of the following titles best summarizes the content of the passage?

(A) Booker T. Washington’s Strategy: Progress Through Education and Work
(B) The Niagara Movement: Early Advocate of Organized Black Resistance
(C) The History of Social Change in the Twentieth Century
(D) A History of Racial Protest Groups in Twentieth-Century America
(E) Black Leadership and Black Organizations

aaggarwal191 · Answer

Please explain Question 2 since I thought the new Organisation is the extended version of the movement

navderm · Answer

Yes, it's true that the new organization is the extended version of the movement, however there is no 'analogy' here. No where in the passage will you find an analogy either in explaining the events or in using the passage to explain another parallel event.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

4. Which of the following statements about the Niagara movement does the passage best support?

Explanation

After reading this passage i can say that this is a good piece of writing for GMAT Purpose, i don't know it source but  pathy  may help out in this regard. All questions are logically supported by the passage text. Coming to question number four. The OA option A states that

(A) It   opposed   the idea that Black Americans should have to earn the inherent rights of citizenship through hard work.

I didn't think the word opposed is justified by the passage, it is a bit extreme word with the reference to the passage. Passage didn't suggest that Niagara opposed rather their activities/motives leads to this opposition, so directly saying opposed is a bit off.

Now why A is correct and E is incorrect.

Read  lines 20-23  in the passage which states a quotation of Niagara movement leader W. E. B. Du Bois

“We claim for ourselves every single right that belongs to a free-born American - political, civil, and social; until we get these rights we will never cease to protest and assail the ears of America.”

Now by taking this question as an inference question we conclude that Option A is correct one by read above quotation. Leader of Niagara said that they should received all the facilities as a free born American so it implies that for all these facilities Hard work is not necessary, as they born as a free American so are eligible for all the facilities there.

Now Why E is wrong, your interpretation is perfect, read l ines 40-42

the Niagara movement was important. It was the first organization founded to protest the way that Blacks had been treated   since   Reconstruction.

Now read what E says

(E)  It was a Black organization that arose   during   the Reconstruction period.

And that is why E is wrong Niagara was came into existence after reconstruction not during. Other options are easy eliminations.

Answer: A

Hope it helps

rounakkedia172 · Answer

P1 - Black intellectuals met to oppose. Only few participated
P2 - Difference in view of Booker T Washington and Du Bois
P3 - Booker T Washington had to be cautious from both communities. He is not the only spokesperson for the blacks.
P4 - Importance of Niagara movement.

The passage is circling around the Niagara movement origin and impact.

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

(A) explain the reasons for the growth and success of the Niagara movement in the first decade of the twentieth century - No reason is mentioned
(B) reveal the differences between the leadership techniques of W. E.B. Du Bois and those of Booker T. Washington in the early 1900’s - Partially correct. Taked about it on para 2.
(C) show the impact of Booker T. Washington’s views on Black political movements in the twentieth century - impact is not mentioned 
(D) discuss the nature of the Niagara movement and its historical role in the struggle for civil rights - captures the main idea
(E) trace the origins of the NAACP and other political organizations to the Niagara movement - No, mentioned about those briefly to support the importance of the N.movement.

2. The author’s presentation of the material includes all of the following EXCEPT

(A) chronological arrangement of events - included
(B) comparison and contrast - in para 2
(C) direct quotation - Of du bois in para 2
(D) statement of cause and effect
(E) development of an extended analogy

Guessed between the D&E selected incorrect choice. I could not find cause and effect, neither analogy.

3. According to the passage, the strategy of W.E.B. Du Bois differed from the strategy of Booker T.Washington in that the strategy of Du Bois emphasized

(A) conciliation - Don't know the meaning keep
(B) protest - yes
(C) neutrality - No
(D) compromise - No
(E) caution - No

B fits well.

4. Which of the following statements about the Niagara movement does the passage best support?

(A) It opposed the idea that Black Americans should have to earn the inherent rights of citizenship through hard work - The idea was of B.T.W and it was opposed by the Niagara movement protesters
(B) It had a sudden impact on Washington’s ability to help Blacks achieve their rights - No such thing is mentioned
(C) It caused Washington to concede to his critics and adopt a more compliant position in relation to White society - No
(D) It was opposed by much of the White community, but supported by most of the Black community - It was not supported heavily by either of the community, as mentioned in para 1.
(E) It was a Black organization that arose during the Reconstruction period- Not during, but the first to arise after this period

5. It can be inferred that the followers of W.E.B. Du Bois were interested in all of the following EXCEPT

(A) challenging Booker T. Washington’s pre-eminence as spokesperson for all Black Americans - Interested 
(B) developing an organization controlled by a small group of prominent Black leaders - Not interested 
(C) opposing segregation, discrimination, and all other denials of Blacks’ political, civil or social rights - interested
(D) protesting the policy of acquiescence in race relations - Not sure
(E) increasing opportunities for Blacks to participate fully in American society - Interested

Got this one incorrect. 
I think the rational to support B is that they had no intention to develop a small group.

6. The passage contains information that would answer which of the following questions about the history of the Niagara movement?

I.  How was Booker T. Washington’s policy of moderation affected by the Niagara movement? - mentioned in para 3 ending part.
 II.  Why, by the year 1910, had the Niagara movement ceased to serve its purpose? Not mentioned
 III.  In what respect might the NAACP be viewed as a successor of the Niagara movement? Not sure about this one.

(A) I only
(B) II only
(C) I and III only
(D) II and III only
(E) I, II, and III

Again picked the incorrect one.

7. Which of the following titles best summarizes the content of the passage?

(A) Booker T. Washington’s Strategy: Progress Through Education and Work - Partial Scope
(B) The Niagara Movement: Early Advocate of Organized Black Resistance - Yes
(C) The History of Social Change in the Twentieth Century - History of all social change as a whole is not mentioned only a movement of that is 
(D) A History of Racial Protest Groups in Twentieth-Century America - No
(E) Black Leadership and Black Organizations - No

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

6. The passage contains information that would answer which of the following questions about the history of the Niagara movement?

Explanation

I.  How was Booker T. Washington’s policy of moderation affected by the Niagara movement?

Lines 4-7  of paragraph 1 introduces Booker T. Washington’s policy and paragraph 2 completely discusses the relationship of Booker T. Washington’s policy of moderation with the Niagara movement.

II.  Why, by the year 1910, had the Niagara movement ceased to serve its purpose?

Lines 1-2  of last paragraph discusses when Niagara movement was ceased but it didn't answer the question why Niagara movement was ceased so no reason is given in the passage.

III.  In what respect might the NAACP be viewed as a successor of the Niagara movement.

Lines 2-6  of last paragraph discusses the same.

So the answer of I and III is available only.

Answer: C

Hope it helps

guddo · Answer

7. Which of the following titles best summarizes the content of the passage?

The passage focuses on the Niagara movement: why it was formed, how it opposed Booker T. Washington’s more moderate approach, why it had limited support, and why it was historically important despite being small and short-lived.  The best title should capture the Niagara movement’s role as an early organized protest movement .

(A) Booker T. Washington’s Strategy: Progress Through Education and Work

This is too narrow. The passage discusses Washington’s views, but mainly to contrast them with the Niagara movement’s more active resistance.

(B) The Niagara Movement: Early Advocate of Organized Black Resistance

This is correct. The passage centers on the Niagara movement and explains its importance as an early organization that openly protested racial discrimination.

(C) The History of Social Change in the Twentieth Century

This is far too broad. The passage is about one specific Black protest movement and its significance, not social change generally.

(D) A History of Racial Protest Groups in Twentieth-Century America

This is too broad. The passage mentions the NAACP, but it does not give a history of multiple protest groups.

(E) Black Leadership and Black Organizations

This is too general. The passage discusses Black leadership and organizations, but its specific focus is the Niagara movement and its strategy of  active resistance .

Answer: (B)

FreshStove · Answer

Can someone please explain why for Ques 5, option A is incorrect, and option B is correct?

guddo · Answer

5. It can be inferred that the followers of W.E.B. Du Bois were interested in all of the following EXCEPT

The passage says Du Bois and the Niagara movement wanted active resistance against segregation and discrimination. They opposed Booker T. Washington’s moderate, passive approach and demanded full political, civil, and social rights for Black Americans.  The exception must be something that happened to the movement but was not one of its goals .

(A) challenging Booker T. Washington’s pre-eminence as spokesperson for all Black Americans

This is supported. The passage says Du Bois’s followers eventually forced Washington to give up his position as the sole Black spokesperson to the White community.

(B) developing an organization controlled by a small group of prominent Black leaders

This is correct. The passage says the Niagara movement never gained active support from more than a small group of Black leaders, but that was a limitation of the movement, not something Du Bois’s followers wanted. Their goal was a national organization, not a small closed group.

(C) opposing segregation, discrimination, and all other denials of Blacks’ political, civil or social rights

This is supported. The passage says they wanted to battle segregation and discrimination and demanded every political, civil, and social right.

(D) protesting the policy of acquiescence in race relations

This is supported. They opposed Washington’s moderate and conciliatory policy, which stressed political passivity.

(E) increasing opportunities for Blacks to participate fully in American society

This is supported. Their demand for full rights and equal treatment shows that they wanted fuller participation in  American society .

Answer: (B)

egmat · Answer

Hi FreshStove,

This is an EXCEPT question, so four choices are things Du Bois's followers  wanted , and the odd one out is what they did  not  want. Let's find the support for each.

Why A is  not  the answer (they were interested in it): 
Look at paragraph  3 : "these more militant leaders  forced Washington to concede his position as the sole Black spokesperson  to the White community." That is exactly what choice A describes - challenging Washington's standing as  the  voice for all Black Americans. Since the passage supports it as something they pursued, A is one of the four "interested in" items, so it can't be the EXCEPT answer.

Why B  is  the answer (they were not interested in it): 
Here's the trap. The passage does say the movement "never enlisted the active support of more than a  small group  of Black leaders" (paragraph  1 ). But read  why  that's mentioned - it's describing a  weakness/limitation  of the movement, not a goal they were chasing. Their stated aim was the opposite: "a  national  organization that would battle  all  forms of segregation and discrimination." You don't set out to  build  an organization deliberately "controlled by a small group" - that just happened to be the outcome.  Therefore , B is the one thing they were  not  interested in, making it the correct EXCEPT answer.

The one move to lock in:  don't let a  described fact  about the movement masquerade as one of its  goals .

Quick everyday version: if I say "her bakery  only ever attracted  a handful of regulars," was her  goal  to have few customers? Of course not - that's a limitation, not an aim. Same logic: "small group" describes what the movement got stuck with, not what its followers wanted.

Answer: B

egmat · Answer

Hi nlsiunlud,

The answer to Q7 is  (B) The Niagara Movement: Early Advocate of Organized Black Resistance . And the good news: a "best title" question is really just the primary-purpose question (Q1) in disguise, so the same approach works for both.

The one skill: match the title to the  whole  passage

A good title has to cover  everything  the passage does - not one paragraph, not a giant topic the passage only touches. So run each option through two quick tests:

-  Too narrow?  Does it only cover one part?
-  Too broad?  Does it promise way more than the passage delivers?

Watch how the choices fall out:

-  (A) Washington's Strategy  -  too narrow . Washington is discussed only as a  contrast  to the Niagara movement, not the main subject.
-  (C) The History of Social Change in the 20th Century  -  too broad . The passage covers one small movement, not a century of social change.
-  (D) A History of Racial Protest Groups  -  too broad . It's about  one  movement, not a survey of many groups.
-  (E) Black Leadership and Black Organizations  -  too broad and vague . No focus at all.
-  (B)  -  just right . The last paragraph hammers this: the Niagara movement was "the first organization founded to protest" and its "strategy of active resistance... was later adopted by many organizations." That's exactly "early advocate of organized Black resistance."

Only  (B)  is the size of the whole passage - everything else is either a slice or a continent.

A quick way to feel the scope test

Imagine an article that tells the story of your school's very first debate club - how it started, who ran it, and how later clubs copied it. "A History of School Clubs Worldwide" is  too broad ; "The Principal's Opinion of Debating" is  too narrow ; "The First Debate Club: How It Sparked the Rest" is  just right . Same reasoning that lands you on  (B)  here.

Answer: B

In the summer of 1905, twenty-five Black intellectuals met at Niagara

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

In the summer of 1905, twenty-five Black intellectuals met at Niagara

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards