History gives a cruel experience of human nature, in showing how exact

Question

History gives a cruel experience of human nature, in showing how exactly the regard due to the life, possessions, and entire earthly happiness of any class of persons, was measured by what they had the power of enforcing; how all who made any resistance to authorities that had arms in their hands, however dreadful might be the provocation, had not only the law of force but all other laws, and all the notions of social obligation against them; and in the eyes of those whom they resisted, were not only guilty of crime, but of the worst of all crimes, deserving the most cruel chastisement which human beings could inflict. The first small vestige of a feeling of obligation in a superior to acknowledge any right in inferiors began when he had been induced, for convenience, to make some promise to them. Though these promises, even when sanctioned by the most solemn oaths, were for many ages revoked or violated on the most trifling provocation or temptation, it is probable that this, except by persons of still worse than average morality, was seldom done without some twinges of conscience.    1 
 1. The author implies that laws are based on

A. the necessity of protecting the weakest members of a society.
B. the interests of those in a society who possess the most power.
C. the notions of social obligation that are passed from generation to generation.
D. promises made to those without power by those with the most power.
E. the belief that “earthly happiness” is the right of everyone in society, including those who resist authority.

2 
 2. The author of this passage would be most likely to agree with which of the following statements?

A. In order to prevent chaos in a society, authority must be strong and unquestioned.
B. All men, whether weak or strong, desire justice in their dealings with others.
C. Social obligation is the most important factor ensuring protection of the weak by the strong.
D. Rights are granted to those without power when to do so will benefit those with power.
E. In the past, when rights have been granted to people, only the most extreme circumstances have led to their being rescinded.

RC Butler 2022  -  Practice Two RC Passages Everyday.   
Passage # 156 Date: 18-Apr-2022
 This question is a part of RC Butler 2022 .  Click here for Details

Source: Cliffs Test Prep.

HarshitBansal2000 · Answer

I marked E and A, let us see what happens

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Pranay18 · Answer

can someone help explain q2 ? i chose e as the ansswer , D didnt make sense to me.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

2. The author of this passage would be most likely to agree with which of the following statements?

Difficulty Level:   Hard

Explanation

According to the passage, the rights of the weak were acknowledged only when the strong were induced to do so for their own convenience  (lines 9–11: The first small vestige of a feeling of obligation in a superior to acknowledge any right in inferiors began when he had been induced, for convenience, to make some promise to them).

Choice A  is irrelevant; the author doesn’t advocate strong, unquestioned authority, but only defines what he or she sees as the realistic situation.

Choice B  is incorrect; the author states that the powerful are concerned with their own interests, not with justice.

Choice C  is also incorrect; notions of social obligation are, like laws, based on the needs of the powerful.

Choice E  is refuted in the passage; the author states that rights have been  “revoked or violated on the most trifling provocation.”

The best choice is D.

abhishektyga · Answer

I marked D in Q1 instead of option B. Please provide explanation.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

2. The author of this passage would be most likely to agree with which of the following statements?

Difficulty Level:   Hard

Explanation

According to the passage, the rights of the weak were acknowledged only when the strong were induced to do so for their own convenience  (lines 9–11: The first small vestige of a feeling of obligation in a superior to acknowledge any right in inferiors began when he had been induced, for convenience, to make some promise to them.)

Choice A  is irrelevant; the author doesn’t advocate strong, unquestioned authority, but only defines what he or she sees as the realistic situation.

Choice B  is incorrect; the author states that the powerful are concerned with their own interests, not with justice.

Choice C  is also incorrect; notions of social obligation are, like laws, based on the needs of the powerful.

Choice E  is refuted in the passage; the author states that rights have been  “revoked or violated on the most trifling provocation.”

The best choice is D.

Tukkebaaz · Answer

Sure, I dont see the OE for Q1 so let me step up.

In all fairness, this was a tricky one between B and D. This Qn requires one to take a step back and think of the author's thought process and the context.

1. The author implies that laws are based on

B. the interests of those in a society who possess the most power. -  Based on both these bits we can say B makes sense

(Power determines value of a class)  History gives a cruel experience of human nature, in showing how exactly the regard due to the life, possessions, and entire earthly happiness of any class of persons, was measured by what they had the power of enforcing;
 (People with power have the law by their side and can determine what constitute crimes)  how all who made any resistance to authorities that had arms in their hands, however dreadful might be the provocation, had not only the law of force but all other laws, and all the notions of social obligation against them; and in the eyes of those whom they resisted, were not only guilty of crime, but of the worst of all crimes, deserving the most cruel chastisement which human beings could inflict.

D. promises made to those without power by those with the most power. -  Are laws based on the promises made or the interest of the powerful people?

(The above began with selfish interest of the powerful)  The first small vestige of a feeling of obligation in a superior to acknowledge any right in inferiors began when he had been induced, for convenience, to make some promise to them.

Hope this is helpful:)

History gives a cruel experience of human nature, in showing how exact

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

History gives a cruel experience of human nature, in showing how exact

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