One strain of historical thought that achieved popularity in the 1950s

Question

One strain of historical thought that achieved popularity in the 1950s forwarded the notion that immigration - more than the frontier experience, or any other specific event or factor - had been and continued to be the defining element of United States history. In this depiction, the 30 million immigrants who entered the country between 1820 and 1900 had common experiences regardless of their national, religion, or race: namely, in experiencing hardship and alienation, they themselves changed, but they also carried on the development of the nation itself.

Both casual and formal students of history should, however, be careful in equating the experiences of different groups of immigrants, especially under the somewhat blurring concept of "hardship." The description that all immigrants experienced hardship and immigration fails to account properly for the fact that in the 17th and 18th century millions of Africans were forcibly shipped to the United States and sold into slavery. While this group of people should not be excluded from any full reckoning of the nation's migrants, its alienation and hardship was of a substantially different character from that of the other populations, who migrated more willingly and independently and who arrived under and lived in vastly different conditions. If it is, indeed, the hardship and alienation experienced by the nation's migrants that have above all shaped both them and their nation, then to ignore this distinction would be to distort an important element of what our nation has been shaped to be.   1  
 1. The passage is primarily concerned with

A. contrasting the advantages of one historical characterization with the advantages of another
B. describing a defect in a particular historical characterization
C. discussing the value of a particular historical characterization and some concerns about its use
D. describing how some historians' use of a particular characterization has led to criticism
E. analyzing the influence of the views of current historians on characterizations of immigration in America

2  
 2. According to the passage, which of the following distinguishes the hardship of African immigrants sold into slavery?

A. The degree to which and manner in which African immigrants had already suffered in transit prior to arrival
B. The degree to which the hardship by African immigrants was not experienced willingly
C. The fact that suffering and alienation by African immigrants was excluded from many accounts of migration
D. The expectations and experiences already common to African immigrants upon their arrival
E. The degree to which African migrants lived in conditions independent of those in which other immigrants lived

3  
 3. The author of the passage would be most likely to make which of the following recommendations to scholars of immigration in America?

A. They should acknowledge that the hardship experienced by African immigrants was more severe than that experienced by other migrant groups.
B. They should assume that conclusions drawn about immigrants to the United States in general to not apply to African immigrants sold into slavery.
C. They should present a better argument as to why the hardship experienced by African immigrants is comparable to that experienced by other immigrant groups.
D. They should adjust their theory of immigration so that it does not appear to express equivalence of the different kinds of hardship experienced by immigrants.
E. They should not exclude from their theory of immigration groups that migrated contrary to their will.

4  
 4. Which of the following best describes the function of the last sentence of the passage?

A. It provides an example of how the hardship of African migrants to the United States was of a fundamentally different character than that of other groups.
B. It advances a critical relationship between the theory of immigration discussed and the flaw in that theory described by the author of the passage.
C. It provides further evidence of how African immigrants cannot meaningfully be compared to immigrants of other groups.
D. It illustrates an irreconcilable contradiction between the theory of immigration discussed and the flaws exposed by the author of the passage.
E. It outlines the conditions that must be met to repair the theory under discussion about immigration.

5  
 5. According to the passage, the concept of hardship, as it is used in the argument discussed by the author, is subject to which of the following criticisms?

A. It assumes one characterization of immigration as fact, without admitting the possibility that other characterizations may be equally valid.
B. It is identified as the force that shaped both the experience of immigrants and the nation as a whole.
C. It fails to allow for those immigrants who did not suffer hardship and for those non-immigrants who did suffer hardship.
D. It fails to account for other factors that are essential to an accurate description of some groups' immigration experience.
E. It implicitly equates experiences by different groups of immigrants that are substantially different.

6  
 6. According to the passage, each of the following is a difference between the experience of African immigrants and that of other immigrants EXCEPT:

A. African immigrants migrated less willingly to the United States than did other groups.
B. African immigrants carried on their existence in the country under different circumstances than did other immigrants.
C. The experiences of African immigrants have not been included in most depictions of immigration in the United States.
D. African immigrants experienced alienation that was significantly different from the alienation experienced by other immigrants.
E. The hardship experienced by African immigrants shaped the nation differently than did the hardship experienced by other immigrants.

Source: GMAT Free

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

1. The passage is primarily concerned with

Explanation

In this question, we can look for an answer choice that expresses the author's key opinion.

(B)  is most directly in conveying the fact that the author is criticizing a theory.

(A)  is out because the author discusses only one characterization.

(C)  is out because the author doesn't advance a single word in favor of the theory or its  "value."

(D)  describes a situation in which the characterization has been criticized by others, but we have no knowledge to that effect, so  (D)  is out.

(E)  is out, because the passage does not discuss the views of current historians or how this  "immigration theory"  has been influenced by views.

The correct answer is (B).

Hope it helps

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

4. Which of the following best describes the function of the last sentence of the passage?

Explanation

In this question, let's form some views before we turn to the answer choices. What is the author saying, in simple terms? The  "distort"  term reinforces that the author has found a flaw with this immigration theory of history. But he's stating the flaw in a particular way. Why does he start with the clause,  "If it is, indeed, the hardship and alienation experienced by the nation's migrants that have above all shaped both them and their nation" ? Evidently, the author does not necessarily disagree with the idea itself that hardship and alienation of the migrants was defining in American history. He's saying that maybe it is, but if it is, then the problem he has pointed out is especially important.

Having taken a close look, let's turn to the answer choices. The sentence is not providing an example, but rather a form of summary, so  choice (A) is out.

(B)  may have potential, so we'll come back to it.

(C)  might sound promising initially, but there is no evidence in this sentence--no examples or facts. The sentence reads more like a conclusion. So  (C)  is out.

(D)  goes too far because the author does not appear to think the contradiction is irreconcilable, as we pointed out when looking at the  "if"  word above.

(E)  sounds promising in the use of the word  "if" --but what are the conditions? The author hasn't stated them; rather, he has stated the consequences of not repairing the theory. This is more fitting to  (B) . The critical relationship, as we mentioned, is that if hardship is important, then the flaw pointed out by the author is especially important.

The correct answer is (B).

Hope it helps

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

3. The author of the passage would be most likely to make which of the following recommendations to scholars of immigration in America?

Explanation

This question of one of multiple types of GMAT question that may sound initially like exercises in mind-reading. Never fear; you are not expected to speculate on the psychology of the author. The primary goal in the wording of the question is to set up an objectively correct answer. What makes the answer to this question objectively correct is that it's consistent with everything stated in the passage, especially the key points, while the other answer choices fail to be consistent with those same points.

Since we know the key points, we can apply that filter to the answer choices: which are consistent with the statements of the passage?

Choice (A)  lacks support in that the author has not said anything about severity; the author might believe that the suffering of African immigrants was more severe, but the central point of his objection is that dissimilar things have been equated.

Choice (B)  goes too far. The author does not state or imply that the experience of African immigrants was different in every way. And he does not state or imply that African immigrants should be considered as a special case and not included from all immigrants; on the contrary, he states that  "this group of people should not be excluded from any full reckoning of the nation's migrants."  So  (B)  is out.

Choice (C)  does attack the heart of the author's criticism, but it proposes a solution that the author would consider inappropriate and/or impossible. The author states conclusively that the experience of the African migrants was substantially different and that to consider it the same would be to  "distort the truth." (C)  would represent such a distortion, so the author would not recommend it and it's out.

(D)  is not an unusually specific suggestion, but it fits the author's theory perfectly, because it removes the key problem, which is the equating of dissimilar migration experiences while still counting African migrant experiences among this set.

(E)  is out for reasons similar to those considered for  (C).

The correct answer is (D).

6. According to the passage, each of the following is a difference between the experience of African immigrants and that of other immigrants EXCEPT:

Explanation

In this question, we have another situation in which a detailed question can be answered with our mastery of the main point of the passage. Four of these statements are true, according to the passage.

Choice (D)  is the author's primary objection to the theory, so that's true.

Choices (A) and (B)  are the two main reasons the author gives to support the statement in  (D) . So none of those is the correct answer, and we are left with  (C) and (E) . Is  (C)  supported by the passage? Maybe not. How about  (E) ? This statement is logically connected to the arguments at hand. We can try negating this statement.

If the hardship experienced by African immigrants did not shape the nation differently, then the author's objection to the theory would be somewhat irrelevant--and it would no longer be true that the theory would  "distort"  the historical picture. The author cannot consistently disagree with  (E) , so we can take the author to agree with  (E) .

Back to  (C) . Indeed, there is nothing in the passage to indicate this statement; one hint is that there is no discussion of  "most"  depictions of immigration.

The correct answer is (C)

Hope it helps

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

5. According to the passage, the concept of hardship, as it is used in the argument discussed by the author, is subject to which of the following criticisms? 
 
 Explanation

This question asks us for a criticism of the definition of hardship, based on the passage. The author calls the notion  "somewhat blurring,"  which is related to his main point, which is that the theory calls dissimilar things equal. Let's look for this in the answer choices.

(E)  matches precisely. Note that this question reads like a rather detailed test of the passage, but it actually is answered simply by keeping in mind the main point of the passage.

The correct answer is (E).

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

2. According to the passage, which of the following distinguishes the hardship of African immigrants sold into slavery?

Explanation

This question asks about a detail that is central to the author's opinion. The author's opinion is that African immigrants had a substantially different experience. The points of difference, as we've discussed, are that, first, the immigrants were less willing and, second, they arrived under and lived under different conditions. The correct answer should hit on one or both of these points.

(B)  hits on the first point.  (E)  is similar to the second point, but incorrect; the important thing about the conditions according to the author is that they were different, not that they were separated.

Answer choices (A), (C), and (D)  give statements that are plausible, but not supported by the passage.

The correct answer is (B).

Riya1475828 · Answer

Hey  Sajjad1994  the official explanation is not clear enough unfortunately. Would prefer another explanation for this one.

Posted from my mobile device

Sajjad1994 · Answer

A.  This choice is incorrect because the last sentence doesn't specifically provide an example of the hardship faced by African migrants. Instead, it emphasizes the broader point that the alienation and hardship of African migrants were fundamentally different from those of other groups.

B.  This is the correct answer. The last sentence highlights a flaw in the theory of immigration discussed earlier in the passage. The flaw is the failure to properly account for the substantially different character of the hardship and alienation experienced by African migrants compared to other immigrant groups. It advances a critical relationship by pointing out this flaw.

C.  While this option is partially accurate, the last sentence doesn't provide "further evidence" explicitly. Instead, it makes a broad statement about the fundamental difference in the hardship and alienation experienced by African migrants without presenting additional evidence.

D.  This choice is too extreme. The passage doesn't suggest an irreconcilable contradiction. Instead, it points out a flaw in the theory that can be addressed with careful consideration.

E.  The last sentence does not outline specific conditions to repair the theory. It highlights a flaw but does not provide a roadmap for how to fix it.

Answer: B

ArmaanBajaj · Answer

Is there a good explanation why for 1 & 2

guddo · Answer

1. The passage is primarily concerned with

The passage discusses a historical view that treats immigration as the defining element of United States history. The author does not fully reject that view, but criticizes one major problem in it: it treats immigrant “hardship” too broadly and fails to distinguish the forced migration and enslavement of Africans from the experiences of other immigrant groups.  So the main concern  is identifying a defect in that  historical characterization .

(A) contrasting the advantages of one historical characterization with the advantages of another

Incorrect. The passage does not compare two competing historical characterizations.

(B) describing a defect in a particular historical characterization

Correct.   The author describes a flaw in the immigration-centered characterization of U.S. history: it blurs very different kinds of hardship and alienation.

(C) discussing the value of a particular historical characterization and some concerns about its use

Close, but too mild. The passage is mainly critical of a defect, not balanced between value and concern.

(D) describing how some historians' use of a particular characterization has led to criticism
Incorrect. The passage itself gives the criticism; it does not mainly describe reactions by other critics.

(E) analyzing the influence of the views of current historians on characterizations of immigration in America

Incorrect. The passage refers to a historical view popular in the 1950s, not the influence of current historians.

Answer: (B)

guddo · Answer

2. According to the passage, which of the following distinguishes the hardship of African immigrants sold into slavery?

The passage says African migrants were forcibly shipped to the United States and sold into slavery. Their hardship and alienation were different from those of other immigrant groups because other groups migrated more willingly and independently.  So the key distinction  is that African migrants did not experience migration as a voluntary  choice .

(A) The degree to which and manner in which African immigrants had already suffered in transit prior to arrival

Incorrect. The passage says they were forcibly shipped, but it does not focus on suffering during transit specifically.

(B) The degree to which the hardship by African immigrants was not experienced willingly

Correct.   The passage contrasts enslaved Africans with other groups who migrated more willingly and independently.

(C) The fact that suffering and alienation by African immigrants was excluded from many accounts of migration

Incorrect. The passage says they should not be excluded from a full account, but the distinguishing feature of their hardship is forced migration and slavery.

(D) The expectations and experiences already common to African immigrants upon their arrival

Not supported. The passage does not discuss their expectations.

(E) The degree to which African migrants lived in conditions independent of those in which other immigrants lived

Incorrect. The passage says their conditions were vastly different, not “independent” in this sense. The clearer distinction is that their migration and hardship were forced.

Answer: (B)

egmat · Answer

Hi ArmaanBajaj,

The earlier posts confirmed the letters but never really showed you  how to see  them from the text, so let me walk you through both.

Question 1 - primary purpose

First, feel the structure of the passage:

-  Paragraph 1  simply  lays out  a 1950s theory: immigration was the defining element of U.S. history, and all  30  million immigrants shared a common experience of "hardship and alienation."
-  Paragraph 2  turns on the word  however  - the author says students "should be careful" equating those experiences, because the theory fails to account for enslaved Africans whose hardship was "of a substantially different character."

So the author's whole point is to expose a  flaw  in that theory. That is exactly  (B): describing a defect in a particular historical characterization.

The trap here is  (C)  - "discussing the value... and some concerns." Ask yourself: does the author ever praise the theory or say what's  good  about it? He doesn't spend a single line on its value; he only raises the problem. "Value" has no support, so  (C)  is out.  (A)  fails because only  one  theory is discussed, and  (E)  fails because no  current  historians appear.

Question 2 - what distinguishes the African immigrants' hardship

Go straight to the one sentence that draws the contrast:

"...its alienation and hardship was of a substantially different character from that of the other populations,  who migrated more willingly and independently ..."

The difference the author names is  willingness : other groups came more willingly, this group did not. That is  (B): the degree to which the hardship was not experienced willingly.

Watch the tempting wrong ones:

-  (A)  suffering "in transit" before arrival - the passage never mentions the journey itself.
-  (E)  says they lived in conditions "independent of" others - but the text says conditions were  different  ("vastly different conditions"), not  separate/independent . That swap in meaning is what makes  (E)  wrong.

Both answers come from the same single sentence in paragraph  2  - so once you anchor there, they fall out cleanly.

Answer: B; B

One strain of historical thought that achieved popularity in the 1950s

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

One strain of historical thought that achieved popularity in the 1950s

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