According to the conventional view, serfdom in nineteenth-century Russ

Question

According to the conventional view, serfdom in nineteenth-century Russia inhibited economic growth. In this view Russian peasants’ status as serfs kept them poor through burdensome taxes in cash, in labor, and in-kind; through restrictions on mobility; and through various forms of coercion. Melton, however, argues that serfdom was perfectly compatible with economic growth, because many Russian serfs were able to get around landlords’  rules and regulations .  If serfs could pay for passports, they were usually granted permission to leave the estate.  If they could pay the fine, they could establish a separate household; and if they had the resources, they could hire laborers to cultivate the communal lands, while they themselves engaged in trade or worked as migrant laborers in cities.    1 
 1. It can be inferred from the passage that the “rules and regulations” ( Highlighted ) affecting serfdom in Russia involved

I. responsibility for the work needed to accomplish certain defined tasks
II. restrictions on freedom of movement
III. limitations on the ability to set up an independent household

A. I only
B. I and II only
C. I and III only
D. II and III only
E. I, II, and III

2 
 2. The sentence “If serfs … estate” ( Highlighted ) has which of the following functions in the passage?

I. It provides support for an argument presented in the preceding sentence.
II. It provides evidence that helps undermine a view introduced in the first sentence.
III. It raises a question that the succeeding sentence will resolve.

A. I only
B. I and II only
C. I and III only
D. II and III only
E. I, II, and III

RC Butler 2022  -  Practice Two RC Passages Everyday.   
Passage # 293 Date: 22-Jul-2022
 This question is a part of RC Butler 2022 .  Click here for Details

rishabhchats · Answer

Why is the answer for Q1 - I, II and III?

Didn't quite understand the first option. I selected II and III.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

1. It can be inferred from the passage that the “rules and regulations” (Highlighted) affecting serfdom in Russia involved

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

1. It can be inferred from the passage that the "rules and regulations" affecting serfdom in Russia involved

I.  responsibility for the work needed to accomplish certain defined tasks -  Since they are able to get around landlord's rules and regulations, then serfs were given responsibilities to complete the defined tasks.

II.  restrictions on freedom of movement -  Yes, If they could pay, then they are allowed to leave. This means that they do not have any money. Hence, restricted.

III.  limitations on the ability to set up an independent household -  Same as above.

Answer: E

factor4 · Answer

can someone explain the number 1 please

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Already posted here https://gmatclub.com/forum/according-to ... l#p3100942 Best.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

2. The sentence “If serfs … estate” (Highlighted) has which of the following functions in the passage?

Difficulty Level:   650-700

Explanation

I.  It provides support for an argument presented in the preceding sentence.
 Yes  "rules and regulations"

II.  It provides evidence that helps undermine a view introduced in the first sentence.
 Yes, the Conventional view stated that serfs inhibited (stop or hinders) growth. This states otherwise.

III.  It raises a question that the succeeding sentence will resolve.
 There is no U-turn made in the succeeding sentence.

For additional support for 2:

The reason why the author wrote If serfs could pay for passports, they were usually granted permission to leave the estate was that he needed to support Melton's idea that serfs could get around landlord's rules and regulations.

This, of course, was a response to something earlier, as evidenced by  "Melton, however...".

What was this a response to? Well, the conventional view is mentioned in the first sentence.

So, our correct answers are I and II.

Answer: B

VerbalBot · Answer

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According to the conventional view, serfdom in nineteenth-century Russ

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

According to the conventional view, serfdom in nineteenth-century Russ

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