The common belief of some linguists that each language is a perfect

Question

The common belief of some linguists that each language is a perfect vehicle for the thoughts of the nation speaking it is in some ways the exact counterpart of the conviction of the Manchester school of economics that supply and demand will regulate everything for the best. Just as economists were blind to the numerous cases in which the law of supply and demand left actual wants unsatisfied, so also many linguists are deaf to those instances in which the very nature of a language calls forth  misunderstandings  in everyday conversation, and in which, consequently, a word has to be modified or defined in order to present the idea intended by the speaker: “ He took his stick—no, not John’s, but    his own  .” No language is perfect, and if we admit this truth, we must also admit that it is not unreasonable to investigate the relative merits of different languages or of different details in languages.   1 
 1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

(A) analyze an interesting feature of the English language
(B) refute a belief held by some linguists
(C) show that economic theory is relevant to linguistic study
(D) illustrate the confusion that can result from the improper use of language
(E) suggest a way in which languages can be made more nearly perfect

2 
 2. The  misunderstanding  presented by the author is similar to which of the following?

I. X uses the word “you” to refer to a group, but Y thinks that X is referring to one person only.
II. X mistakenly uses the word “anomaly” to refer to a typical example, but Y knows that “anomaly” means “exception.”
III. X uses the word “bachelor” to mean “unmarried man,” but Y mistakenly thinks that bachelor means “unmarried woman.”

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

3 
 3. In presenting the argument, the author does all of the following EXCEPT:

(A) give an example
(B) draw a conclusion
(C) make a generalization
(D) make a comparison
(E) present a paradox

4 
 4. Which of the following contributes to the  misunderstanding  described by the author ?

(A) It is unclear whom the speaker of the sentence is addressing.
(B) It is unclear to whom the word “his” refers the first time it is used.
(C) It is unclear to whom the word “his” refers the second time it is used.
(D) The meaning of “took” is ambiguous.
(E) It is unclear to whom “He” refers.

aka14 · Answer

Ans 1 E because it is cleary hold the author opinion that no language is perfect according to the author
2 b because misunderstanding of language is often by anomaly and exception
3 d author does everything listed except he didn't comparision.
4 e the quote has unknown he

Posted from my mobile device

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

Explanation

This is an easy question, its answer is hidden in the starting lines of the passage. Let's have a look on each answer choice.

(A) analyze an  interesting feature  of the  English language

No interesting feature is there and also this choice becomes an extreme one by talking about the  "English language" . Although English language has been discussed but this never been the primary purpose of the passage.

(B) refute a belief held by some linguists

This is correct! Read the lines in the passage:

"The  common belief of some linguists  that each  language is a perfect vehicle  for the thoughts of the nation speaking it"

And now the belief is being refuted in the following lines:

"many linguists are deaf to those instances in which the very nature of a  language calls forth misunderstandings  in everyday conversation, and in which, consequently, a word has to be modified or defined in order to present the idea intended by the speaker: “He took his stick—no, not John’s, but his own.”  No language is perfect"

Options C, D and E are irrelevant.

Answer: B

2. The misunderstanding presented by the author is similar to which of the following?

Explanation

This is comparatively hard question. The answer is hidden in the lines given below from the passage:

a word has to be  modified or defined in order to present the idea intended by the speaker:  “He took his stick—no, not John’s, but his own.”

Only I is correct

I. X uses the word “you” to refer to a group, but Y thinks that X is referring to one person only.

Answer: A

napolean92728 · Answer

Identify the Key Information in the Passage 
Look for the  core message  of the passage  before  worrying about the question:
 
  Main Point : The passage challenges the idea that languages are perfect tools for communication. 
  Key Example : Sometimes language causes  misunderstandings , e.g., “He took his stick—no, not John’s, but his own.” This shows that even everyday words can create confusion, requiring  clarification . 
  Analogy : Just like how  supply and demand doesn't always satisfy actual needs ,  language doesn’t always communicate perfectly . 
  Conclusion : Since no language is perfect, comparing their  relative merits  is reasonable.  
✅  Focus : Misunderstandings caused by language structure or word ambiguity.

Let's evaluate each option: 
 I. X uses the word “you” to refer to a group, but Y thinks that X is referring to one person only. 
 
 This is an  ambiguity built into the language . English "you" doesn't distinguish between singular/plural. 
 Just like in the passage, the  structure  of the language causes confusion.
 ✅  KEEP

II. X mistakenly uses the word “anomaly” to refer to a typical example, but Y knows that “anomaly” means “exception.” 
 
 This is  not  a fault of the language—it’s  user error . 
 The speaker doesn’t understand the word. That’s  misuse , not  ambiguity .
 ❌  ELIMINATE

III. X uses the word “bachelor” to mean “unmarried man,” but Y mistakenly thinks that bachelor means “unmarried woman.” 
 
 Again, this is a misunderstanding  caused by the listener , not the structure of the language. 
 The meaning is clear in the language—it’s Y who is mistaken.
 ❌  ELIMINATE

✅  Correct Answer: (A) I only

soumyab12 · Answer

While I got all correct, it was challenging to rule out option C in Q3

guddo · Answer

3. In presenting the argument, the author does all of the following EXCEPT:

The author compares linguists with economists, gives an example of linguistic ambiguity, makes a general claim about languages, and draws a conclusion from that claim. We need the technique the author does not use.

(A) give an example

Incorrect. The author gives the example: “He took his stick, no, not John’s, but his own.”

(B) draw a conclusion

Incorrect. The author concludes that because no language is perfect, it is reasonable to investigate the relative merits of different languages.

(C) make a generalization

Incorrect. “No language is perfect” is a generalization about languages.

(D) make a comparison

Incorrect. The author explicitly compares the belief of some linguists with the view of the Manchester school of economics.

(E) present a paradox

Correct.   The author does not present a paradox, meaning a situation or claim that appears logically contradictory or self-defeating. The passage instead presents a comparison, examples, and a conclusion.

Answer: (E)

ssbhandari7120 · Answer

Question 1
 Answer: (B) refute a belief held by some linguists 
The passage challenges the belief that every language is a perfect vehicle for expressing the thoughts of its speakers. The author argues that languages can cause misunderstandings.
Question 2
 Answer: (A) I only 
 
  I  — Correct. “You” can be ambiguous between one person and a group, similar to the author's example.  
  II  — Incorrect. This is simply misuse of a word, not an ambiguity inherent in the language.  
  III  — Incorrect. This is a misunderstanding of the meaning of a word, rather than ambiguity in the word's use.   
Question 3
 Answer: (E) present a paradox 
The author:
 
 Gives an example → “He took his stick...”  
 Draws a conclusion → languages are not perfect.  
 Makes a generalization → “No language is perfect.”  
 Makes a comparison → linguists' belief is compared with the Manchester school's economic belief.   
There is  no paradox  presented.
Question 4
 Answer: (B) It is unclear to whom the word “his” refers the first time it is used. 
In  “He took his stick—no, not John’s, but his own,”  the first  “his”  could refer to John or to someone else. The speaker must clarify that the stick is  his own .

The common belief of some linguists that each language is a perfect

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

The common belief of some linguists that each language is a perfect

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