The idea of empire is a common theme in European and world history.

Question

The “idea of empire” is a common theme in European and world history. In England, the idea of empire is already seeded in the English Renaissance – indeed it may be a contributory factor to, and certainly a characteristic of, the European Renaissance as a whole. In the sixteenth century, the Americas and Ireland were already falling prey to the imperial gaze – Thomas Harriot’s  A Briefe and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia  (1590) and Edmund Spenser’s  A View of the Present State of Ireland  (1596) are well-known accounts of these conquered lands. Later, in this age of exploration and discovery,  voyage narratives  invariably reveal imperialistic tone and ambition; Spain and Portugal led the way in the Americas and the Far East, and France, Britain, and most other European countries established colonies across the globe. The United States, Russia, Turkey, and China too were colonial powers by 1900.

Before this age of European expansion, the empires of ancient Greece and Rome had come and gone. From antiquity, Alexander’s  Letter to Aristotle , describing his legendary campaigns in Asia, and Herodotus’s  The Histories  are both imperialist in that, in common with later imperialist narratives, they assume European superiority and sovereignty over alien and exotic lands, usually located in a  geographically vague “East” . This eurocentricism is found in maps from classical times, and in the  mappae mundi  of the Middle Ages, especially the Hereford  Mappa Mundi  in the 1300s. In this pre-modern era, the Mediterranean region is the center of the known world and the further from this “cradle of civilization” one travels, the greater the likelihood of encountering monsters, strange beasts, and wonders. The same material of a fanciful and mythical Orient turns up again in the imperialist narratives of European discovery – the exotic elements serve as an enticement to would-be colonizers and the depiction of subhuman cannibals deprecates the natives, thereby justifying the purification of their minds under the authority and civilizing influence of the conquerors and colonizers.   1 
 1. Which of the following statements is most consistent with the information provided in the passage?

A. In the age of exploration and discovery, European nations were the only ones with colonial ambition.
B. Europeans in both ancient and modern times were superior to the inhabitants of the East.
C. English Renaissance occurred when the idea of empire was first generated.
D. Herodotus believed in eurocentricism. 
E. Monsters and strange beasts roamed the center of the known world in the Middle Ages.

2 
 2. The author of the passage uses the highlighted text primarily in order to suggest that

A. the exact location of the “East” in relation to their lands was not known to the conquerors
B. in colonizers’ view, the “East” lacked a specific identity but encompassed alien eastern regions
C. the geographical features of the “East” seemed vague to the colonizers
D. the “East” had a geographically vague representation in Hereford  Mappa Mundi 
E. the “East” referred to all lands that were assumed by the colonizers to be existing

3 
 3. The passage mentions each of the following as a part of the imperialist narrative EXCEPT

A. Notion of superiority and sovereignty
B. Disapproval of bizarre foreign practices
C. Attraction towards eccentric cultures
D. Voyages and discovery of new lands
E. Birth of civilization

4 
 4. The discussion of “voyage narratives” serves which of the following functions within the first paragraph?

A. It establishes the view that the voyages gave rise to imperial ambition.
B. It offers information about the imperial nations in the 1900s.
C. It provides examples that are a testimony to the existence of the imperial gaze.
D. It changes the flow of discussion regarding the story of imperial conquests.
E. It points out the difference between European expansion and ancient imperialism

5 
 5. According to the passage, a European colonizer, on hearing about an unfamiliar, foreign land with a primitive wedding ritual, is least likely to

A. be surprised at the rudimentary nature of the ritual
B. feel interested in conquering the land 
C. believe in the need for refining the ritual 
D. appreciate the simplicity of the ritual 
E. assume that the foreign land is far to the east

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ExpertsGlobal5 · Answer

Mind-map   
  
  To state that imperialism is a common theme in European and world history (Paragraph 1)  
  To demonstrate the common theme between European expansion and ancient imperialism (Paragraph 2)  
  
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   1.   Which of the following statements is most consistent with the information provided in the passage?

a.   In the age of exploration and discovery, European nations were the only ones with colonial ambition. 
 b.   Europeans in both ancient and modern times were superior to the inhabitants of the East. 
 c.   English Renaissance occurred when the idea of empire was first generated. 
  d.     Herodotus believed in eurocentricism.   
 e.   Monsters and strange beasts roamed the center of the known world in the Middle Ages.

Question Type: Inference

Explanation:

Information provided in all the answer choices needs to be carefully evaluated in the context of the passage.

A. The first paragraph starts with “The “idea of empire” is a common theme in European and world history” and goes on to mention that, in the age of exploration and discovery, the United States, Russia, Turkey, and China were nations with imperial history; several non-European nations are mentioned to be colonial powers; so, the statement that European nations were the only ones with colonial ambition is inconsistent with the passage. Incorrect.

B. Trap. The second paragraph states that imperial narratives “assume superiority and sovereignty over alien and exotic lands” and that the colonizers believe that since “the depiction of subhuman cannibals deprecates the natives” of the “fanciful and mythical Orient”, it is justified that the colonizers bring these natives “under the authority and civilizing influence of the conquerors and colonizers”; although it is evident that the European imperialists in both ancient and modern times believed themselves to be superior to the inhabitants of the East, the passage does not suggest that this was indeed the case; the paragraph is primarily concerned with stating the philosophy behind the imperialist narrative. Incorrect.

C. The first paragraph states that the English Renaissance was a “contributory factor” to the European Renaissance, and the second paragraph mentions that “Before this age of European expansion, the empires of ancient Greece and Rome had come and gone”; both these references suggest that the idea of empire existed in ancient times, much before the English Renaissance; so, the passage is not consistent with the statement that English Renaissance occurred when the idea of empire was first generated. Incorrect.

D.  Correct.  The second paragraph mentions that Herodotus’s  The Histories  “is imperialist” and that it assumes “European superiority and sovereignty over alien and exotic lands”; in the very next sentence, this notion of European superiority is called “eurocentricism”; it is clear that the passage holds the view that Herodotus believed in eurocentricism.

E. The second paragraph states that “the Mediterranean region is the center of the known world” and “the further from this “cradle of civilization” one travels, the greater the likelihood of encountering monsters, strange beasts, and wonders”; the passage suggests that monsters and strange beasts were in lands far away from the center of the known world; the answer choice suggests exactly the opposite – monsters and strange beasts roamed the center of the known world in the Middle Ages; so, it is clear that the passage is not consistent with the statement made in the answer choice. Incorrect.

D is the best choice.   
  
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2.   The author of the passage uses the highlighted text primarily in order to suggest that

a.   the exact location of the “East” in relation to their lands was not known to the conquerors 
  b.     in colonizers’ view, the “East” lacked a specific identity but encompassed alien eastern regions  
 c.   the geographical features of the “East” seemed vague to the colonizers 
 d.   the “East” had a geographically vague representation in Hereford  Mappa Mundi  
 e.   the “East” referred to all lands that were assumed by the colonizers to be existing

Highlight Required:    geographically vague “East”

Question Type: Inference

Explanation:

The second paragraph states that the “alien and exotic lands” were located in a “geographically vague “East”” and that the further from the cradle of civilization one travels, "the greater the likelihood of encountering monsters, strange beasts, and wonders”. The author uses the term “geographically vague “East”” to suggest how the colonizers viewed all unfamiliar lands on the East where “exotic”, “strange”, “fanciful”, and “mythical” events took place. Additionally, the author intends to state that the colonizers used a common term for all such lands, without any specific location; the term “geographically vague” does justice to this idea as well.

A. Trap. Although the second paragraph makes use of terms “alien”, “exotic”, and “strange” to refer to the “East”, these attributes characterize the unfamiliarity with the culture of the lands on the East not with the geographical location of the lands; in other words, the expression “geographically vague “East”” is not used to highlight the lack of awareness of the exact geographical location. Furthermore, it is logical that colonizers cannot conquer any land without knowing its exact geographical location. Incorrect.

B.  Correct.  The second paragraph states that the “alien and exotic lands” were located in a “geographically vague “East”” and that the further from the cradle of civilization one travels, “the greater the likelihood of encountering monsters, strange beasts, and wonders”; the author uses the term “geographically vague “East”” to suggest how the colonizers viewed all unfamiliar lands on the East where “exotic”, “strange”, “fanciful”, and “mythical” events take place. Additionally, the author intends to state that the colonizers used a common term for all such lands, without any specific location; the term “geographically vague” does justice to this idea as well.

C. The passage makes no reference to the geographical features of the East. Besides, the author uses the term “geographically vague “East”” to suggest how the colonizers viewed all unfamiliar lands on the East where “exotic”, “strange”, “fanciful”, and “mythical” events take place; additionally, the author intends to state that the colonizers used a common term for all such lands, without any specific location; the term “geographically vague” does justice to this idea   of “without any specific location”   as well. Incorrect.

D. The second paragraph refers to Hereford  Mappa Mundi  as well as the term “geographically vague “East””, but the mention of Hereford  Mappa Mundi  is limited to the idea that “eurocentricism is found in maps”; the second paragraph, as it progresses, uses the term “geographically vague “East”” in a wider context; so, it is incorrect to state that the author uses the term “geographically vague “East”” because the “East” had a geographically vague representation in Hereford  Mappa Mundi.  Furthermore, the author uses the term “geographically vague “East”” to suggest how the colonizers viewed all unfamiliar lands on the East where “exotic”, “strange”, “fanciful”, and “mythical” events take place; additionally, the author intends to state that the colonizers used a common term for all such lands, without any specific location; the term “geographically vague” does justice to this idea   of “without any specific location”   as well. Because this answer choice both relies on fallacious reasoning and fails to convey the correct reasoning, it is incorrect.

E. The mention of words “all lands” in the answer choice suggests that lands – on the east as well as on the west – were referred to by the term “East”; this is illogical. Furthermore, the author uses the term “geographically vague “East”” to suggest how the colonizers viewed all unfamiliar lands on the East where “exotic”, “strange”, “fanciful”, and “mythical” events take place; additionally, the author intends to state that the colonizers used a common term for all such lands, without any specific location; the term “geographically vague” does justice to this idea   of “without any specific location”   as well. Because this answer choice both relies on fallacious reasoning and fails to convey the correct reasoning, it is incorrect.

B is the best choice.   
  
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3.   The passage mentions each of the following as a part of the imperialist narrative EXCEPT

a.   Notion of superiority and sovereignty 
 b.   Disapproval of bizarre foreign practices 
 c.   Attraction towards eccentric cultures 
 d.   Voyages and discovery of new lands 
  e.     Birth of civilization

Question Type: Fact

Explanation:

All the answer choices need to be carefully evaluated in light of the information presented in the passage.

A. The second paragraph mentions that the imperialist narratives “assume European superiority and sovereignty over alien and exotic lands”. The notion of superiority and sovereignty is mentioned in the passage as a part of the imperialist narrative; hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

B. The second paragraph mentions that the imperialist philosophy holds the view that “the depiction of subhuman cannibals deprecates the natives, thereby justifying” civilizing influence of the conquerors and colonizers; it is evident that disapproval of bizarre foreign practices is a part of the imperialist narrative; hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

C. The second paragraph states that “the exotic elements serve as an enticement to would-be colonizers”; attraction towards eccentric cultures is a part of the imperialist narrative; hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

D. The first paragraph mentions that “In this age of exploration and discovery, voyage narratives invariably reveal imperialistic tone and ambition”; it is evident that voyages and discovery of new lands are a part of the imperialist narrative; hence, this answer choice is incorrect.

E.  Correct.  The second paragraph mentions that “In this pre-modern era, the Mediterranean region is the center of the known world and the further from this “cradle of civilization” one travels, the greater the likelihood of encountering monsters, strange beasts, and wonders”; this is the only reference in the passage related to the birth of civilization; the mention of the Mediterranean region is made while discussing that lands far east were later colonized; the paragraph goes not suggest that the birth of civilization led to imperialism in any way; in other words, the birth of civilization is not a part of the imperialist narrative; hence, this answer choice is correct.

E is the best choice.   
  
 = = = = = = = = = =

4.   The discussion of “voyage narratives” serves which of the following functions within the first paragraph?

a.   It establishes the view that the voyages gave rise to imperial ambition. 
 b.   It offers information about the imperial nations in the 1900s. 
  c.     It provides examples that are a testimony to the existence of the imperial gaze.  
 d.   It changes the flow of discussion regarding the story of imperial conquests. 
 e.   It points out the difference between European expansion and ancient imperialism

Highlight Required:    voyage narratives

Question Type: Structure

Explanation:

The first paragraph mentions that “voyage narratives invariably reveal imperialistic tone and ambition”. Before this mention, the paragraph states that “Americas and Ireland were already falling prey to the imperial gaze”. After the mention of voyage narratives, the paragraph mentions a list of nations that became colonial powers. As the mind-map suggests, the purpose of the first paragraph is to state that imperialism is a common theme in European and world history. So, in the larger context of the first paragraph, the mention of voyage narratives connects the earlier mentioned idea of “imperial gaze” and the list of imperial nations stated at the end of the paragraph. In other words, the discussion of voyage narratives, in the context of the first paragraph, offers examples that document the presence of the imperial gaze.

A. As per the first paragraph, “imperial gaze” began in the “sixteenth century” when the Americas and Ireland fell prey to it; as stated in the paragraph, “later... voyage narratives...” took place; it is clear that voyage narratives happened after the imperial gaze had already begun; so, it is incorrect to say that voyage narratives are mentioned to establish the view that the voyages gave rise to imperial ambition. Furthermore, the discussion of voyage narratives offers examples that document the presence of the imperial gaze. Incorrect.

B. Trap. Although the first paragraph mentions, after the reference to voyage narratives, a list of nations that became colonial powers until 1900, the paragraph offers no information about the imperial nations in the 1900s; it is incorrect to state that voyage narratives are mentioned to offer information about the imperial nations in the 1900s. Furthermore, the discussion of voyage narratives offers examples that document the presence of the imperial gaze. Incorrect.

C.  Correct.  Before the mention of voyage narratives, the paragraph states that “Americas and Ireland were already falling prey to the imperial gaze”; after the mention of voyage narratives, the paragraph mentions a list of nations that became colonial powers; it can be inferred that in an attempt to state that imperialism is a common theme in European and world history, the first paragraph mentions voyage narratives to connect the earlier mentioned idea of “imperial gaze” and the list of imperial nations stated at the end of the paragraph; in other words, the discussion of voyage narratives, in the context of the first paragraph, provides examples that are a testimony to the existence of the imperial gaze.

D. The first paragraph is concerned with stating that imperialism is a common theme in European and world history; while doing so, it mentions the imperial gaze in the sixteenth century, the voyage narratives in the later age of exploration, and a list of nations that became colonial powers by 1900; the discussion is on one line of thought and there is no change in the flow of discussion; it is incorrect to state that the mention of voyage narratives changes the flow of discussion regarding the story of imperial conquests. Furthermore, the discussion of voyage narratives offers examples that document the presence of the imperial gaze. Incorrect.

E. The third paragraph tries to establish a common theme between European expansion and ancient imperialism; no differences between the two are mentioned anywhere in the passage. Additionally, the discussion of voyage narratives does not deal with ancient imperialism. Furthermore, the discussion of voyage narratives offers examples that document the presence of the imperial gaze. Incorrect.

C is the best choice.   
  
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5.   According to the passage, a European colonizer, on hearing about an unfamiliar, foreign land with a primitive wedding ritual, is least likely to

a. be surprised at the rudimentary nature of the ritual
b. feel interested in conquering the land 
c. believe in the need for refining the ritual 
 d. appreciate the simplicity of the ritual  
e. assume that the foreign land is far to the east

Question Type: Inference

Explanation:

Information provided in all the answer choices needs to be carefully evaluated in the context of the passage.
 
A. The second paragraph mentions that the imperialists believe that, in unfamiliar lands, “exotic”, “strange”, “fanciful”, and “mythical” events take place; surprise is likely be one of the emotions associated with characterizing a primitive wedding ritual from an unfamiliar, foreign land. Incorrect.

B. The second paragraph mentions that “exotic elements serve as an enticement to would-be colonizers”; the primitive 
wedding ritual is likely to cause the colonizer to feel enticed and interested in conquering the foreign land. Incorrect.

C. The second paragraph states that the imperialists believe themselves to be “superior” and believe in “justifying the purification of” native minds “under the authority and civilizing influence of the conquerors and colonizers”; it is likely that the primitive nature of the wedding ritual makes the colonizer believe that the rituals in the foreign land need to be refined with the influence of superior rituals in his own land. Incorrect.

D.  Correct.  The second paragraph deals with the imperialist narrative and states that colonizers believe themselves to be “superior”, are attracted to the “exotic” foreign lands, and “justify the purification of the native minds” by colonizing them; it is unlikely that a colonizer would appreciate the simplicity of a primitive wedding ritual from an unfamiliar, foreign land.

E. The second paragraph mentions the notion of “geographically far “East”” and states that “exotic”, “strange”, “fanciful”, and “mythical” events take place in such lands; it is likely that on hearing about a primitive wedding ritual, the colonizer would believe it to belong to a land far east. Incorrect.
 
  D is the best choice.

The idea of empire is a common theme in European and world history.

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

The idea of empire is a common theme in European and world history.

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