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keats
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Theorist: While most people think that the best 04 Oct 2016, 05:44
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66% (02:04) correct 34% (02:18) wrong based on 1030 sessions

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Theorist: While most people think that the best way to attain a position of great power and influence is to articulate a compelling position with clarity and force, in most cultures such an approach is inherently self-limiting, as enough potential supporters are either too tentative or too particular to support a clear, emphatic agenda. Instead, the most reliable method by which to attain positions of great power and influence is to offer vague and reassuring platitudes onto which one’s potential supporters can project their own desires and interpretations.

If the theorist’s statements above are true, which of the following people is most likely to attain a position of great power and influence?

A A middle manager who impresses his superiors with an aggressive, detailed plan by which to expand the company’s market share.
B An aspiring politician who capitalizes on a nation’s discontent with a previous regime by campaigning on a platform of “hope and renewal.”
C A football coach who begins an effort to be appointed general manager by working to oust any potential rivals in the organization.
D A mayor who celebrates reelection to his final term by promising his supporters that he will make the city “green, clean, and any family’s dream.”
E A police lieutenant who moves to be promoted to police chief by exposing the corruption rampant under the administration of the current chief.
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B
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mikemcgarry
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Theorist: While most people think that the best 04 Oct 2016, 14:03
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Keats
Theorist: While most people think that the best way to attain a position of great power and influence is to articulate a compelling position with clarity and force, in most cultures such an approach is inherently self-limiting, as enough potential supporters are either too tentative or too particular to support a clear, emphatic agenda. Instead, the most reliable method by which to attain positions of great power and influence is to offer vague and reassuring platitudes onto which one’s potential supporters can project their own desires and interpretations.

If the theorist’s statements above are true, which of the following people is most likely to attain a position of great power and influence?

A A middle manager who impresses his superiors with an aggressive, detailed plan by which to expand the company’s market share.
B An aspiring politician who capitalizes on a nation’s discontent with a previous regime by campaigning on a platform of “hope and renewal.”
C A football coach who begins an effort to be appointed general manager by working to oust any potential rivals in the organization.
D A mayor who celebrates reelection to his final term by promising his supporters that he will make the city “green, clean, and any family’s dream.”
E A police lieutenant who moves to be promoted to police chief by exposing the corruption rampant under the administration of the current chief.
Show more
Dear Keats,

I'm happy to respond. :-) Your screen name evokes a most celebrated eponym.

I think this question is reasonably clear, but I don't think it's very GMAT-like. I haven't seen any official question in this sort of mold.

The argument recommends against specific positions, and advocates for attaining power & influence with vague positive banalities.

(A) A middle manager who impresses his superiors with an aggressive, detailed plan by which to expand the company’s market share.
This guy has a detailed plan, the exact opposite of what the argument suggests. This is incorrect.

(B) An aspiring politician who capitalizes on a nation’s discontent with a previous regime by campaigning on a platform of “hope and renewal.”
This guy wants power, and delivers a positive yet vague plan. This is promising choice.

(C) A football coach who begins an effort to be appointed general manager by working to oust any potential rivals in the organization.
This is a very different route to power, forcing out rivals. This was not discussed. This is incorrect.

(D) A mayor who celebrates reelection to his final term by promising his supporters that he will make the city “green, clean, and any family’s dream.”
This person already has the power and is not looking for power. This doesn't fit. This is incorrect.

(E) A police lieutenant who moves to be promoted to police chief by exposing the corruption rampant under the administration of the current chief.
Like (C), another route to power, making someone else look bad so you look good. This is not discussed. This is incorrect.

The only possible answer is (B). It's clear. I just have not seen any official question like this, and it doesn't feel quite as tight or as logically crisp as a GMAT question.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Mike :-)
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Theorist: While most people think that the best 17 Jan 2017, 22:07
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Keats
Theorist: While most people think that the best way to attain a position of great power and influence is to articulate a compelling position with clarity and force, in most cultures such an approach is inherently self-limiting, as enough potential supporters are either too tentative or too particular to support a clear, emphatic agenda. Instead, the most reliable method by which to attain positions of great power and influence is to offer vague and reassuring platitudes onto which one’s potential supporters can project their own desires and interpretations.

If the theorist’s statements above are true, which of the following people is most likely to attain a position of great power and influence?

A A middle manager who impresses his superiors with an aggressive, detailed plan by which to expand the company’s market share.
B An aspiring politician who capitalizes on a nation’s discontent with a previous regime by campaigning on a platform of “hope and renewal.”
C A football coach who begins an effort to be appointed general manager by working to oust any potential rivals in the organization.
D A mayor who celebrates reelection to his final term by promising his supporters that he will make the city “green, clean, and any family’s dream.”
E A police lieutenant who moves to be promoted to police chief by exposing the corruption rampant under the administration of the current chief.
Show more


Good question, with heavy words, kept mind occupied from the word to go till a minute and half...KUDOS definitely:)

Thanx
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Theorist: While most people think that the best 18 Jan 2017, 02:14
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Kudos please, if it helped

A A middle manager who impresses his superiors with an aggressive, detailed plan by which to expand the company’s market share. This is clear and detailed plan. As per author, this shouldnt aspire potential supporter
B An aspiring politician who capitalizes on a nation’s discontent with a previous regime by campaigning on a platform of “hope and renewal.” This is vague. It only gives the end result and has no plan of action or course correction. This will aspire supporters. This is right choice
C A football coach who begins an effort to be appointed general manager by working to oust any potential rivals in the organization. Detailed plan to oust rivals. As per author, this shouldnt aspire potential supporter
D A mayor who celebrates reelection to his final term by promising his supporters that he will make the city “green, clean, and any family’s dream.” This is clear and detailed plan. As per author, this shouldnt aspire potential supporter
E A police lieutenant who moves to be promoted to police chief by exposing the corruption rampant under the administration of the current chief. Clear planning required to expose corruption. As per author, this shouldnt aspire potential supporter
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Theorist: While most people think that the best 28 Jul 2018, 22:39
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mikemcgarry
Keats
Theorist: While most people think that the best way to attain a position of great power and influence is to articulate a compelling position with clarity and force, in most cultures such an approach is inherently self-limiting, as enough potential supporters are either too tentative or too particular to support a clear, emphatic agenda. Instead, the most reliable method by which to attain positions of great power and influence is to offer vague and reassuring platitudes onto which one’s potential supporters can project their own desires and interpretations.

If the theorist’s statements above are true, which of the following people is most likely to attain a position of great power and influence?

A A middle manager who impresses his superiors with an aggressive, detailed plan by which to expand the company’s market share.
B An aspiring politician who capitalizes on a nation’s discontent with a previous regime by campaigning on a platform of “hope and renewal.”
C A football coach who begins an effort to be appointed general manager by working to oust any potential rivals in the organization.
D A mayor who celebrates reelection to his final term by promising his supporters that he will make the city “green, clean, and any family’s dream.”
E A police lieutenant who moves to be promoted to police chief by exposing the corruption rampant under the administration of the current chief.
Dear Keats,

I'm happy to respond. :-) Your screen name evokes a most celebrated eponym.

I think this question is reasonably clear, but I don't think it's very GMAT-like. I haven't seen any official question in this sort of mold.

The argument recommends against specific positions, and advocates for attaining power & influence with vague positive banalities.

(A) A middle manager who impresses his superiors with an aggressive, detailed plan by which to expand the company’s market share.
This guy has a detailed plan, the exact opposite of what the argument suggests. This is incorrect.

(B) An aspiring politician who capitalizes on a nation’s discontent with a previous regime by campaigning on a platform of “hope and renewal.”
This guy wants power, and delivers a positive yet vague plan. This is promising choice.

(C) A football coach who begins an effort to be appointed general manager by working to oust any potential rivals in the organization.
This is a very different route to power, forcing out rivals. This was not discussed. This is incorrect.

(D) A mayor who celebrates reelection to his final term by promising his supporters that he will make the city “green, clean, and any family’s dream.”
This person already has the power and is not looking for power. This doesn't fit. This is incorrect.

(E) A police lieutenant who moves to be promoted to police chief by exposing the corruption rampant under the administration of the current chief.
Like (C), another route to power, making someone else look bad so you look good. This is not discussed. This is incorrect.

The only possible answer is (B). It's clear. I just have not seen any official question like this, and it doesn't feel quite as tight or as logically crisp as a GMAT question.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Mike :-)
Show more

Hi Mike,

With due respect I would like to disagree with you on the reasoning presented for Option D.
Look at this line "best way to attain a position of great power and influence". Does it says anything about the person looking to attain the position for the first time.
It really doesn't matters even if he is reelected. The point is that "to attain positions of great power and influence is to offer vague and reassuring platitudes onto which one’s potential supporters can project their own desires and interpretations".

This is why I chose D over B. I encountered this question in Veritas Prep Mock . I must say I never expected this question to be written so vaguely.How can one measure his/her performance if questions like these come up in Mocks.

Regards
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Theorist: While most people think that the best 31 Jul 2018, 06:09
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mikemcgarry A gentle reminder on this.Please help.


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Theorist: While most people think that the best 07 Jun 2019, 08:32
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This is one of the most weird CR passage I have encountered so far. Completely clueless.

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Theorist: While most people think that the best 04 Apr 2020, 20:35
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mikemcgarry
Keats
Theorist: While most people think that the best way to attain a position of great power and influence is to articulate a compelling position with clarity and force, in most cultures such an approach is inherently self-limiting, as enough potential supporters are either too tentative or too particular to support a clear, emphatic agenda. Instead, the most reliable method by which to attain positions of great power and influence is to offer vague and reassuring platitudes onto which one’s potential supporters can project their own desires and interpretations.

If the theorist’s statements above are true, which of the following people is most likely to attain a position of great power and influence?

A A middle manager who impresses his superiors with an aggressive, detailed plan by which to expand the company’s market share.
B An aspiring politician who capitalizes on a nation’s discontent with a previous regime by campaigning on a platform of “hope and renewal.”
C A football coach who begins an effort to be appointed general manager by working to oust any potential rivals in the organization.
D A mayor who celebrates reelection to his final term by promising his supporters that he will make the city “green, clean, and any family’s dream.”
E A police lieutenant who moves to be promoted to police chief by exposing the corruption rampant under the administration of the current chief.
Dear Keats,

I'm happy to respond. :-) Your screen name evokes a most celebrated eponym.

I think this question is reasonably clear, but I don't think it's very GMAT-like. I haven't seen any official question in this sort of mold.

The argument recommends against specific positions, and advocates for attaining power & influence with vague positive banalities.

(A) A middle manager who impresses his superiors with an aggressive, detailed plan by which to expand the company’s market share.
This guy has a detailed plan, the exact opposite of what the argument suggests. This is incorrect.

(B) An aspiring politician who capitalizes on a nation’s discontent with a previous regime by campaigning on a platform of “hope and renewal.”
This guy wants power, and delivers a positive yet vague plan. This is promising choice.

(C) A football coach who begins an effort to be appointed general manager by working to oust any potential rivals in the organization.
This is a very different route to power, forcing out rivals. This was not discussed. This is incorrect.

(D) A mayor who celebrates reelection to his final term by promising his supporters that he will make the city “green, clean, and any family’s dream.”
This person already has the power and is not looking for power. This doesn't fit. This is incorrect.

(E) A police lieutenant who moves to be promoted to police chief by exposing the corruption rampant under the administration of the current chief.
Like (C), another route to power, making someone else look bad so you look good. This is not discussed. This is incorrect.

The only possible answer is (B). It's clear. I just have not seen any official question like this, and it doesn't feel quite as tight or as logically crisp as a GMAT question.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Mike :-)

Hi Mike,

With due respect I would like to disagree with you on the reasoning presented for Option D.
Look at this line "best way to attain a position of great power and influence". Does it says anything about the person looking to attain the position for the first time.
It really doesn't matters even if he is reelected. The point is that "to attain positions of great power and influence is to offer vague and reassuring platitudes onto which one’s potential supporters can project their own desires and interpretations".

This is why I chose D over B. I encountered this question in Veritas Prep Mock . I must say I never expected this question to be written so vaguely.How can one measure his/her performance if questions like these come up in Mocks.

Regards
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Your doubt has the answer you are looking for.
We are talking in clear way about attaining power and the power you are discussing about is not clear, varies person to person.

The Stimulus discussed about a way to gain power.
Period.

Hope this helps!
Please comment if you still have doubts on this.
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Theorist: While most people think that the best 01 Mar 2026, 15:41
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Automated notice from GMAT Club VerbalBot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

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