It is safe to say that no class of women in the civilized world is sub

Question

It is safe to say that no class of women in the civilized world is subjected to such incessant trials of temper, and such temptations to be fretful, as the American housekeeper. The reasons for this state of things are legion and,  if in the beginning we take ground from which the whole field may be clearly surveyed , we may be able to secure a better understanding of what housekeeping means, and to guard against some of the dangers accompanying it.

One difficulty associated with housekeeping lies in taking for granted that successful housekeeping is as much an instinct as that which leads the young bird to nest-building, and that no specific training is required. The man who undertakes a business, passes always through some form of apprenticeship, and must know every detail involved in the management, but to a large proportion of women, housekeeping is a combination of accidental forces from whose working it is hoped breakfasts and dinners and suppers will be evolved at regular periods, other necessities finding place where they can. The new home, prettily furnished, seems a lovely toy, and is surrounded by a halo, which, as facts assert themselves, quickly fades away. Moth and rust and dust invade the most secret recesses. Breakage and general disaster attend the progress of Bridget or Chloe. The kitchen seems the headquarters of extraordinary smells, and the stove an abyss in its consumption of coal or wood. Food is wasted by bad cooking, or ignorance as to needed amounts, or methods of using left-over portions, and, as bills pile up, a hopeless discouragement often settles upon both wife and husband, and reproaches and bitterness and alienation are guests in the home, to which they need never have come had a little knowledge barred them out.   1  
 1. What is implied by the lines "if in the beginning we take ground from which the whole field may be clearly surveyed" ( Highlighted ) in the passage?

A. The American housekeeper‘s job is one of the most difficult jobs in the world
B. A survey should be conducted of American housekeepers to identify the more difficult areas of their job
C. It might be a good idea to have a broad understanding of a housekeeper‘s job before taking it on
D. The job of a housekeeper in America should generally be avoided
E. An American housekeeper‘s job might have several dangers associated with it

2  
 2. From the information in the passage, it can be concluded that each of the following may be part of an American housekeeper‘s job EXCEPT:

A. To control the amount of food cooked
B. To keep the house free from certain insects
C. To keep the house dust free
D. To prepare breakfast & supper
E. To purchase groceries

3 
 3. Which of the following would the author of the passage most likely agree with?

A. Housekeeping skills can be improved through training
B. Housekeeping can make one short-tempered
C. Housekeeping is for the most part an instinctive task
D. In some aspects, housekeeping is similar to nest-building
E. Housekeeping tasks can be done by both men and women

Gmatsaiyan · Answer

Topic and Scope 
The passage states that the job of an American housekeeper is a difficult one and describes one difficulty associated with this job
 Passage Map 
Para 1 states that the American housekeeper‘s job is one of the most difficult ones for a woman and that it would become easier if one took some time to acquaint oneself with the more important aspects of the same
Para 2 describes one difficulty associated with the job of a housekeeper – taking it for granted that one requires natural instinct for this job and that training would not be of much help

Gmatsaiyan · Answer

Official Answers and Explanations

1. What is implied by the lines - ̳if in the beginning we take ground from which the whole field may be clearly surveyed’ in the passage?

A. The American housekeeper‘s job is one of the most difficult jobs in the world
B. A survey should be conducted of American housekeepers to identify the more difficult areas of their job
C. It might be a good idea to have a broad understanding of a housekeeper’s job before taking it on
D. The job of a housekeeper in America should generally be avoided
E. An American housekeeper‘s job might have several dangers associated with it

In context of the passage, the purpose of the quoted lines is to state that one could avoid the dangers associated with a housekeeper‘s job if one has a good understanding of the same beforehand.

(C) states this best and should be the correct answer.

2. From the information in the passage, it can be concluded that each of the following may be part of an American housekeeper‘s job EXCEPT:

A. To control the amount of food cooked
B. To keep the house free from certain insects
C. To keep the house dust free
D. To prepare breakfast & supper
E. To purchase groceries

The passage does not mention that a housekeeper needs to buy groceries, so (E) should be the best answer.A - The 2nd para states that food is wasted by ignorance about the needed amount of food

B - Moth infestation‘ is mentioned as a problem in the 2nd para
C - Again mentioned in the 2nd para
D - Clearly implied in the 2nd para

3. Which of the following would the author of the passage most likely agree with?

A. Housekeeping skills can be improved through training
B. Housekeeping can make one short-tempered
C. Housekeeping is for the most part an instinctive task
D. In some aspects, housekeeping is similar to nest-building
E. Housekeeping tasks can be done by both men and women

The opening lines of the 2nd para compare housekeeping with any other skill and state that it can be improved through training. Hence (A) should be the best answer.

B - The 1st para states that housekeeping can be a test of one‘s temper but this does not necessarily imply that it can make one short-tempered
C - The first lines of the 2nd para state the opposite
D - Opposite as described in C above
E - The passage does not mention this anywhere. In fact the passage mostly ascribes housekeeping tasks to women

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

Q2) From the information in the passage, it can be concluded that each of the following may be part of an American housekeeper‘s job EXCEPT:

Explanation

The passage does not mention that a housekeeper needs to buy groceries, so  (E)  should be the best answer.

A  - The  2nd para  states that food is wasted by ignorance about the needed amount of food
 B  - Moth infestation‘ is mentioned as a problem in the 2nd para
 C  - Again mentioned in the 2nd para
 D  - Clearly implied in the 2nd para

Answer: E

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

Q3) Which of the following would the author of the passage most likely agree with?

Explanation

The opening lines of the  2nd para  compare housekeeping with any other skill and state that it can be improved through training. Hence  (A)  should be the best answer.

B  - The  1st para  states that housekeeping can be a test of one‘s temper but this does not necessarily imply that it can make one short-tempered

C  - The first lines of the  2nd para  state the opposite

D  - Opposite as described in  C  above

E  - The passage does not mention this anywhere. In fact the passage mostly ascribes housekeeping tasks to women

Answer: A

Jamiul · Answer

Dear Sazzad,
 What is the meaning of "such temptations to be fretful" in the ist sentence of opening para? Does it mean "no class of women in the civilized world is subjected to such temptations to be fretful", or, does it mean simply, " It is safe to say that such temptations to be fretful"?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

such temptations to be fretful  is referring back to  such incessant trials of temper , It is not referring to the complete clause  (no class of women in the civilized world is subjected to such temptations to be fretful) .

Thank you

Jamiul · Answer

Dear Sazzad,

Thanks for ur reply. but i have a little more doubt:

The 1st line probably means: No class of women is subjected to such continuous test of temper and is facing such temptations (ie test of tempers)to become annoyed (by these temptations & test of temper) as the US housekeepers are exposed to. 
 Is my interpretation correct?

bM22 · Answer

Hi  Jamiul ,

Your interpretation is correct. The first line of the passage means that no class of women in the civilized world has been subjected to test of temper and feels such an irritation as does an American Housekeeper.

Hope This Helps.
Thanks.

rickyric395 · Answer

Sajjad1994   GMATNinja  , I can't understand the reasoning given for option A. Nowhere author compares it with other skills. He says that housekeeping is an instinctive work and people take it for granted and that's the difficulty associated with it.
Also I think that first sentence in 2nd para says something about it. But in the sentence:  One difficulty associated with housekeeping lies in taking for granted that successful housekeeping is as much an instinct as that which leads the young bird to nest-building,  and that no specific training is required.   
I thought difficulty part is associated with 1st part i.e taking for granted. And 2nd part from 'and that no specific training is required" is a separate independent clause. Thus in totality housekeeping doesn't require any skill, just instinct.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

A. Housekeeping skills can be improved through training:  
This option aligns with the main point of the passage. The author argues that many women mistakenly assume that successful housekeeping is instinctual and doesn't require specific training. However, the author suggests that housekeeping skills can indeed be improved through training. This would involve learning proper techniques for cooking, cleaning, managing resources, and other aspects of household management. By acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills, housekeepers can be more effective and less prone to trials of temper and fretfulness.

B. Housekeeping can make one short-tempered: 
This option is not explicitly stated in the passage, though it can be inferred from the text. The author mentions that the American housekeeper is subjected to incessant trials of temper and temptations to be fretful. These challenges and difficulties associated with housekeeping can indeed lead to short-temperedness and frustration. While the passage doesn't directly state that housekeeping causes short-temperedness, it implies that the burdens of housekeeping can have a negative impact on one's temperament.

C. Housekeeping is for the most part an instinctive task: 
This option is contradicted by the passage. The author argues against the notion that housekeeping is instinctual and requires no specific training. Instead, the passage emphasizes the need for a better understanding of housekeeping and the recognition that training and knowledge are essential for successful household management.

D. In some aspects, housekeeping is similar to nest-building: 
This option is not explicitly discussed in the passage. The passage doesn't draw a direct comparison between housekeeping and nest-building. Instead, it focuses on the challenges and difficulties of housekeeping, the misconception that it is instinctual, and the need for training. While there may be some similarities between certain aspects of housekeeping and nest-building (e.g., creating a comfortable and functional living space), the passage does not make this specific analogy.

E. Housekeeping tasks can be done by both men and women: 
This option is not directly addressed in the passage, but it can be reasonably assumed to be true based on the general context. The passage does not specify that housekeeping tasks are exclusively for women. While it does mention a large proportion of women undertaking housekeeping, it does not exclude men from participating in household management. The main focus of the passage is on the challenges of housekeeping and the importance of proper training, rather than the gender roles involved.

Answer: A

VerbalBot · Answer

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It is safe to say that no class of women in the civilized world is sub

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It is safe to say that no class of women in the civilized world is sub

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