The uniqueness of the Japanese character is the result of two seeming

Question

The uniqueness of the Japanese character is the result of two seemingly contradictory forces: the strength of traditions and selective receptivity to foreign achievements and inventions. As early as the 1860s, there were counter movements to the traditional orientation. Yukichi Fukuzawa, the most eloquent spokesman of Japan Enlightenment, claimed: The Confucian civilization of the East seems to me to lack two things possessed by Western civilization: science in the material sphere and a sense of independence in the spiritual sphere. Fukuzawa great influence is found in the free and individualistic philosophy of the Education Code of 1872, but he was not able to prevent the government from turning back to the canons of Confucian thought in the Imperial Rescript of 1890. Another interlude of relative liberalism followed World War I, when the democratic idealism of President Woodrow Wilson had an important impact on Japanese intellectuals and, especially students: but more important was the Leninist ideology of the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution. Again in the early 1930s, nationalism and militarism became dominant, largely as a result of failing economic conditions.

Following the end of World War II, substantial changes were undertaken in Japan to liberate the individual from authoritarian restraints. The new democratic value system was accepted by many teachers, students, intellectuals, and old liberals, but it was not immediately embraced by the society as a whole. Japanese traditions were dominated by group values, and notions of personal freedom and individual rights were unfamiliar.

Today, democratic processes are clearly evident in the widespread participation of the Japanese people in social and political life: yet, there is no universally accepted and stable value system. Values are constantly modified by strong infusions of Western ideas, both democratic and Marxist. School textbooks expound democratic principles, emphasizing equality over hierarchy and rationalism over tradition; but in practice these values are often misinterpreted and distorted, particularly by the youth who translate the individualistic and humanistic goals of democracy into egoistic and materialistic ones.

Most Japanese people have consciously rejected Confucianism, but vestiges of the old order remain. An important feature of relationships in many institutions such as political parties, large corporations, and university faculties is the oyabun-kobun or parent-child relation. A party leader, supervisor, or professor, in return for loyalty, protects those subordinate to him and takes general responsibility for their interests throughout their entire lives, an obligation that sometimes even extends to arranging marriages. The corresponding loyalty of the individual to his patron reinforces his allegiance to the group to which they both belong. A willingness to cooperate with other members of the group and to support without qualification the interests of the group in all its external relations is still a widely respected virtue. The oyabun-kobun creates ladders of mobility which an individual can ascend, rising as far as abilities permit, so long as he maintains successful personal ties with a superior in the vertical channel, the latter requirement usually taking precedence over a need for exceptional competence. As a consequence, there is little horizontal relationship between people even within the same profession.    1  
 1. The author is mainly concerned with
  
(A) explaining the influence of Confucianism on modern Japan 
(B) analyzing the reasons for Japan's postwar economic success 
(C) discussing some important determinants of Japanese values 
(D) describing managerial practices in Japanese industry 
(E) contrasting modern with prewar Japanese society

2  
 2. Which of the following is most like the relationship of the oy-abun-kobun described in the passage?
  
(A) A political candidate and the voting public 
(B) A gifted scientist and his protege 
(C) Two brothers who are partners in a business 
(D) A judge presiding at the trial of a criminal defendant 
(E) A leader of a musical ensemble who is also a musician in the group

3  
 3. According to the passage, Japanese attitudes are influenced by which of the following?
  
I. Democratic ideals 
II. Elements of modern Western culture 
III. Remnants of an earlier social structure
 
(A) I only 
(B) II only 
(C) I and II only 
(D) II and III only 
(E) I, II, and III

4  
 4. The author implies that
  
(A) decisions about promotions are often based on personal feelings 
(B) students and intellectuals do not understand the basic tenets of Western democracy 
(C) Western values have completely overwhelmed traditional Japanese attitudes 
(D) respect for authority was introduced into Japan following World War II 
(E) most Japanese workers are members of a single political party

5  
 5. In developing the passage, the author does which of the following?
  
(A) Introduce an analogy 
(B) Define a term 
(C) Present statistics 
(D) Cite an authority 
(E) Issue a challenge

6  
 6. It can be inferred that the Imperial Rescript of 1890 
 
(A) was a protest by liberals against the lack of individual liberty in Japan 
(B) marked a return in government policies to conservative values 
(C) implemented the ideals set forth in the Education Code of 1872 
(D) was influenced by the Leninist ideology of the Bolshevik Revolution 
(E) prohibited the teaching of Western ideas in Japanese schools

7  
 7. Which of the following is the most accurate description of the organization of the passage?
  
(A) A sequence of inferences in which the conclusion of each successive step becomes a premise in the next argument 
(B) A list of generalizations, most of which are supported by only a single example 
(C) A chronological analysis of historical events leading up to a description of the current situation 
(D) A statement of a commonly accepted theory that is then subjected to a critical analysis 
(E) An introduction of a key term that is then defined by giving examples

8  
  8. Which of the following best states the central thesis of the passage? 
 
(A) The value system of Japan is based upon traditional and conservative values that have, in modern times, been modified by Western and other liberal values. 
(B) Students and radicals in Japan have Leninist ideology to distort the meaning of democratic, Western values. 
(C) The notions of personal freedom and individual liberty did not find immediate acceptance in Japan because of the predominance of traditional group values. 
(D) Modern Japanese society is characterized by hierarchical relationships in which a personal tie to a superior is often more important than merit. 
(E) The influence on Japanese values of the American ideals of personal freedom and individual rights is less important than the influence of Leninist ideology.

9  
 9. The tone of the passage can best be described as

(A) neutral and objective 
(B) disparaging and flippant 
(C) critical and demanding 
(D) enthusiastic and supportive 
(E) skeptical and questioning

anshunadir · Answer

1. The author is mainly concerned with
(A) explaining the influence of Confucianism on modern Japan  just one line discussion about Confucianism 
(B) analyzing the reasons for Japan's postwar economic success   postwar success reasons are not discussed anywhere  
(C) discussing some important determinants of Japanese values    factors effecting Japanese values are discussed in all three paras   
(D) describing managerial practices in Japanese industry    industries not discussed at all  
(E) contrasting modern with prewar Japanese society   word "war" is used 1st/2nd para and the last para starts with "today" and then one of the answer choices mentions prewar + modern - a good trap

anshunadir · Answer

3. According to the passage, Japanese attitudes are influenced by which of the following?
Ⅰ. Democratic ideals  Yukichi Fukuzawa/Woodrow Wilson - mentioned in para1 
Ⅱ. Elements of modern Western culture  refer line 35 
Ⅲ. Remnants of an earlier social structure  refer line 42 
(A) I only
(B) II only
(C) I and II only
(D) II and III only
(E) I, II, and III -  correct answer 
 
4. The author implies that
(A) decisions about promotions are often based on personal feelings - correct answer - read line 45 onwards 
(B) students and intellectuals do not understand the basic tenets of Western democracy 
(C) Western values have completely overwhelmed traditional Japanese attitudes
(D) respect for authority was introduced into Japan following World War II
(E) most Japanese workers are members of a single political party

6. It can be inferred that the Imperial Rescript of 1890
(A) was a protest by liberals against the lack of individual liberty in Japan
(B) marked a return in government policies to conservative values   correct answer , explanation below 
(C) implemented the ideals set forth in the Education Code of 1872
(D) was influenced by the Leninist ideology of the Bolshevik Revolution
(E) prohibited the teaching of Western ideas in Japanese schools

first para says  “The Confucian civilization of the East seems to me to lack two things possessed by Western civilization: science in the material sphere and a sense of independence in the spiritual sphere." Fukuzawa's great influence is found in the free and individualistic philosophy of the Education Code of 1872, but he was not able to prevent the government from turning back to the canons of Confucian thought in the Imperial Rescript of 1890.

it can be inferred that Fukuzawa was an advocate of individualism/liberalism. Although he had great influence but he could not prevent government getting back into confucianism (the traditional orientation)

7. Which of the following is the most accurate description of the organization of the passage?
(A) A sequence of inferences in which the conclusion of each successive step becomes a premise in the next argument  no such conclusions drawn which become premise of next arguement 
(B) A list of generalizations, most of which are supported by only a single example  not true 
(C) A chronological analysis of historical events leading up to a description of the current situation  correct answer- para1 discusses histprical approach, para 2 discusses changes, para 3 discsses todays Japan 
(D) A statement of a commonly accepted theory that is then subjected to a critical analysis  no criticism of any theory 
(E) An introduction of a key term that is then defined by giving examples  not true

8. Which of the following best states the central thesis of the passage?
(A) The value system of Japan is based upon traditional and conservative values that have, in modern times, been modified by Western and other liberal values.  correct answer- para1 discusses traditional Japan, para 2 states Japan is changing, para 3 discusses todays Japan 
(B) Students and radicals in Japan have Leninist ideology to distort the meaning of democratic, Western values.
(C) The notions of personal freedom and individual liberty did not find immediate acceptance in Japan because of the predominance of traditional group values.
(D) Modern Japanese society is characterized by hierarchical relationships in which a personal tie to a superior is often more important than merit.
(E) The influence on Japanese values of the American ideals of personal freedom and individual rights is less important than the influence of Leninist ideology.

9. The tone of the passage can best be described as
(A) neutral and objective - correct answer
(B) disparaging and flippant
(C) critical and demanding
(D) enthusiastic and supportive
(E) skeptical and questioning

I did it in close to 19 mins with 2 Qs wrong..Can someone please explain ques #2 and #5 ?

adg142000 · Answer

hi,

I think this is taken from the 1st line:

The uniqueness of the Japanese character is the result of two seemingly contradictory forces: the strength of traditions and selective receptivity to foreign achievements and inventions.

here the author introduces the term Japanese character and then starts to elaborate the passage.

kitto · Answer

2. Which of the following is most like the relationship of the oy-abun-kobun described in the passage?
(A) A political candidate and the voting public:  voting public here accounts to the loyalty but it doesnt show the parent child relation. We are looking for direct relation 
(B) A gifted scientist and his protege:  It is written in the passage, relationship b/w parent and child, b/w leader and his subordinates 
(C) Two brothers who are partners in a business
(D) A judge presiding at the trial of a criminal defendant
(E) A leader of a musical ensemble who is also a musician in the group

kitto · Answer

5. In developing the passage, the author does which of the following?
(A) Introduce an analogy:  Nothing is being stated 
(B) Define a term:  Yes , author introduces the topic, hold 
(C) Present statistics:  no facts, only historical events written 
(D) Cite an authority:  No 
(E) Issue a challenge :  Nothing is being stated

09173140521 · Answer

question #6 could you tell what is different between B and C ??????

mimishyu · Answer

5. In developing the passage, the author does which of the following? 
(A) Introduce an analogy …incorrect
(B) Define a term …correct
(C) Present statistics 
(D) Cite an authority 
(E) Issue a challenge

For Q5,it is in what term it defines??
Also, doesn’t the author compare(introduce an analogy)the old Japan tradition to the new ideology affect by Western world???

8. Which of the following best states the central thesis of the passage? 
(A) The value system of Japan is based upon traditional and conservative values that have, in modern times, been modified by Western and other liberal values….correct (but doesn’t it not be totally modified, and the traditional Japanese value still exist???)
(B) Students and radicals in Japan have Leninist ideology to distort the meaning of democratic, Western values. 
(C) The notions of personal freedom and individual liberty did not find immediate acceptance in Japan because of the predominance of traditional group values. …incorrect
(D) Modern Japanese society is characterized by hierarchical relationships in which a personal tie to a superior is often more important than merit. 
(E) The influence on Japanese values of the American ideals of personal freedom and individual rights is less important than the influence of Leninist ideology.

In Q8,I was stuck between (A)&(C),doesn’t (C) also be an important focus to the whole passage???or maybe,rather than central,that it should just be a sub-central to the whole passage??

The uniqueness of the Japanese character is the result of two seemingly contradictory forces: the strength of traditions and selective receptivity to foreign achievements and inventions. As early as the 1860s, there were counter movements to the traditional orientation. Yukichi Fukuzawa, the most eloquent spokesman of Japan Enlightenment, claimed: The Confucian civilization of the East seems to me to lack two things possessed by Western civilization: science in the material sphere and a sense of independence in the spiritual sphere. Fukuzawa great influence is found in the free and individualistic philosophy of the Education Code of 1872,  “but he was not able to prevent the government from turning back to the canons of Confucian thought in the Imperial Rescript of 1890.”  Another interlude of relative liberalism followed World War I, when the democratic idealism of President Woodrow Wilson had an important impact on Japanese intellectuals and, especially students: but more important was the Leninist ideology of the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution.  “Again in the early 1930s, nationalism and militarism became dominant, largely as a result of failing economic conditions.”
 
Following the end of World War II, substantial changes were undertaken in Japan to liberate the individual from authoritarian restraints. The new democratic value system was accepted by many teachers, students, intellectuals, and old liberals ,” but it was not immediately embraced by the society as a whole. Japanese traditions were dominated by group values, and notions of personal freedom and individual rights were unfamiliar.”
 
Today, democratic processes are clearly evident in the widespread participation of the Japanese people in social and political life: yet, there is no universally accepted and stable value system. Values are constantly modified by strong infusions of Western ideas, both democratic and Marxist. School textbooks expound democratic principles, emphasizing equality over hierarchy and rationalism over tradition; but in practice these values are often misinterpreted and distorted, particularly by the youth who translate the individualistic and humanistic goals of democracy into egoistic and materialistic ones.

“Most Japanese people have consciously rejected Confucianism, but vestiges of the old order remain. An important feature of relationships in many institutions such as political parties, large corporations, and university faculties is the oyabun-kobun or parent-child relation. A party leader, supervisor, or professor, in return for loyalty, protects those subordinate to him and takes general responsibility for their interests throughout their entire lives, an obligation that sometimes even extends to arranging marriages. The corresponding loyalty of the individual to his patron reinforces his allegiance to the group to which they both belong. A willingness to cooperate with other members of the group and to support without qualification the interests of the group in all its external relations is still a widely respected virtue. The oyabun-kobun creates ladders of mobility which an individual can ascend, rising as far as abilities permit, so long as he maintains successful personal ties with a superior in the vertical channel, the latter requirement usually taking precedence over a need for exceptional competence. As a consequence, there is little horizontal relationship between people even within the same profession.”

nandeta · Answer

The author is mainly concerned with  
 (A) explaining the influence of Confucianism on modern Japan 
Wrong. The author is more concerned with the amalgamation of western values with traditional values.

(B) analyzing the reasons for Japan’s postwar economic success 
Wrong. Post war economic success is just one part of the passage and it suggests that due to post war, how Japan went back to it's traditional
values as military and nationalism became dominant. The author is not concerned with the Japans post war economic success reasons.

(C) discussing some important determinants of Japanese values 
Correct. In the whole passage the author is telling the readers about the traditional japanese value and how the western values are
being joined with the traditional values.

(D) describing managerial practices in Japanese industry 
Wrong. This is was part of the last paragraph only. And mangerial practices were described to define oyabun-kobun, one of japanese traditional 
values.

(E) contrasting modern with prewar Japanese society 
Wrong. The author never contrasted modern with prewar japanese society. The author always taked about japanese traditional values and
how western values are affecting it.

Which of the following is most like the relationship of the oyabun-kobun described in the passage?  
 (A) A political candidate and the voting public 
Wrong. Here the political leader is at helm of voting public. But in oyabun-kobun Kobun is at helm of oyabun.
 
(B) A gifted scientist and his protégé 
Correct. Right hiearchy. Senior and his junior working in the same vertical.

(C) Two brothers who are partners in a business 
Wrong. oyabun-kobun is about a senior and a junior under him. Here two brothers are equal.

(D) A judge presiding at the trial of a criminal defendant 
Wrong. Only judge is in this scenario. If another junior judge would have been in the question, then this answer choice would have been 
correct.

(E) A leader of a musical ensemble who is also a musician in the group 
Wrong. Two diffrent people with diffrent positions should be there.

According to the passage, Japanese attitudes are influenced by which of the following?  
I.  Democratic ideals 
Values are constantly modified by strong infusions of Western ideas, both democratic and Marxist.

II.  Elements of modern Western culture 
Values are constantly modified by strong infusions of Western ideas,

III.  Remnants of an earlier social structure 
Most Japanese people have consciously rejected Confucianism, but vestiges of the old order remain.
(A) I only
(B) II only
(C) I and II only
(D) II and III only
 (E) I, II, and III

The author implies that  
 (A) decisions about promotions are often based on personal feelings 
Right. In the last paragraph the author mentions that till juniors have good relations with their seniors, they will rise in rank.

(B) students and intellectuals do not understand the basic tenets of Western democracy 
The new democratic value system was accepted by many teachers, students, intellectuals, and old liberals, but it was not immediately 
embraced by the society as a whole.

(C) Western values have completely overwhelmed traditional Japanese attitudes 
Wrong. Western values are being accepted by some people but still the whole society has not accepted it as whole.

(D) respect for authority was introduced into Japan following World War II 
Wrong. Substantial changes were undertaken in Japan to liberate the individual from authoritarian restraints.

(E) most Japanese workers are members of a single political party 
Wrong. No where this information is mentioned.

In developing the passage, the author does which of the following?  
 (A) Introduce an analogy 
Wrong. The author is telling how Japense evolved from traditional values to western values and how stil traditional values are being 
followed. Nothing is being compared. It cannot be analogy as both of them are not equal.

(B) Define a term 
Right. After POE, this opetion is left. In the later paragraph the author did define the term "oyabun-kobun"

(C) Present statistics 
Wrong. No stastistics were provided in the paragraph.

(D) Cite an authority 
Wrong. Author has not cited any authority. The tone has been very neutral.

It can be inferred that the Imperial Rescript of 1890

(A) was a protest by liberals against the lack of individual liberty in Japan 
Wrong. Turning back to the canons of Confucian thought in the Imperial Rescript of 1890. Imperial Rescript is of tradiotnal values and not liberal
values.

(B) marked a return in government policies to conservative values 
Correct. Imperial Rescript of 1890 and 1917 Bolshevik Revolution marked a return in goverment policies.

(C) implemented the ideals set forth in the Education Code of 1872 
Wrong. Japanese moved back to its traditional values.

(D) was influenced by the Leninist ideology of the Bolshevik Revolution 
Wrong. Lenisnist ideology influences the Bolshevik Revoltion. This revolution hapenned after the Imperail Rescript.

(E) prohibited the teaching of Western ideas in Japanese schools 
Wrong. We have not been told anything about teaching of western ideas in japanese schools.

Which of the following is the most accurate description of the organization of the passage?

(A) A sequence of inferences in which the conclusion of each successive step becomes a premise in the next argument 
Wrong. All the paragraphs are being listed out year wise. From past to present conditions in Japan.

(B) A list of generalizations, most of which are supported by only a single example 
Wrong. Nope all the paragraphs are year wise.

(C) A chronological analysis of historical events leading up to a description of the current situation 
Right.

(D) A statement of a commonly accepted theory that is then subjected to a critical analysis 
Wrong. The author does not analyze anything.
 
(E) An introduction of a key term that is then defined by giving examples 
Wrong. Only in the last paragraph.

Which of the following best states the central thesis of the passage?  
(A) The value system of Japan is based upon traditional and conservative values that have, in modern times, been modified by Western and other liberal values.
Correct. This important thesis has been touched in all the paragrphs.

(B) Students and radicals in Japan have Leninist ideology to distort the meaning of democratic, Western values.
Wrong. This has been only mentioned in one pragraph and not the whole story.

(C) The notions of personal freedom and individual liberty did not find immediate acceptance in Japan because of the predominance of traditional group values.
Wrong. This just has been mentioned in only one paragraph and not the whole passage.

(D) Modern Japanese society is characterized by hierarchical relationships in which a personal tie to a superior is often more important than merit.
Wrong. Only mentioned in the last pragraph.

(E) The influence on Japanese values of the American ideals of personal freedom and individual rights is less important than the influence of Leninist ideology.
Wrong. Nothing like this is mentioned in the passage.

The tone of the passage can best be described as

(A) neutral and objective 
Correct. No personal views have been presented.

(B) disparaging and flippant 
Wrong. No such words are used.

(C) critical and demanding 
Wrong. No such words have been used.

(D) enthusiastic and supportive 
Wrong. No such words have been used.

(E) skeptical and questioning 
Wrong. No such words have been used.

(E) Issue a challenge 
Wrong. There is no solution or conclusion stated to any challenge here in the paragraph. The tone has been very neutral.

VerbalBot · Answer

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The uniqueness of the Japanese character is the result of two seeming

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The uniqueness of the Japanese character is the result of two seeming

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