Historian: Megapolis was once administered wisely, with vision and wit

Question

Historian:  Megapolis was once administered wisely, with vision and with universal public support. That’s how it became a great city.

City council member:  Not so. Megapolis’ past glory was achieved not because of greater vision, but because power was concentrated in the hands of autocrats and hence more easily exercised.

Which one of the following best captures what is at issue in the dispute between the historian and the city council member?

(A) whether Megapolis was once a great city

(B) what the best explanation is for Megapolis’ past glory

(C) whether vision and wisdom are important in urban administration

(D) whether the administration of Megapolis once had popular support

(E) why Megapolis is no longer a well-run city

ramlala · Answer

Both are agree with the Megapolis was once a great city.  This eliminates A 
Both supports individual arguments to suppot the Megapolis was once a great city.  This eliminates C & D 
Argument is not about no longer a well- run city  This eliminates E

The issue was "how Magapolis was a great city".  Stated in argument B

Ans. B

Sayantan1604 · Answer

The correct answer is B as each statement seeks to find the reasons for its past glory. 
Other options are out of scope.

NiftyNiffler · Answer

Both Historian and CCM give different reasons for the past glory of Megapolis (public support & vision vs autocracy).
 
(A) whether Megapolis was once a great city -- Both acknowledge this possibility

(B) what the best explanation is for Megapolis’ past glory  -- CORRECT, both have differing opinions on how Megapolis achieved past glory

(C) whether vision and wisdom are important in urban administration -- Present day administration is not mentioned in the passage

(D) whether the administration of Megapolis once had popular support -- CCM does not talk about popular support, so we don't know his or her stance on the same

(E) why Megapolis is no longer a well-run city -- Current state of affairs of Megapolis is not mentioned.

So,  B

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

Which one of the following best captures  what is at issue in the dispute  between the historian and the city council member?

(A) whether Megapolis was once a great city  Both agree that Megapolis was great at one point  . Eliminate.

(B) what the best explanation is for Megapolis’ past glory  Correct answer. H says it is because it was "administered wisely, with vision and with universal public support" while H thinks it is because "power was concentrated in the hands of autocrats and hence more easily exercised".

(C) whether vision and wisdom are important in urban administration  There isn't any discussion on whether these are important or not. Eliminate.

(D) whether the administration of Megapolis once had popular support  While H states this, CCM does not dispute this. Eliminate.

(E) why Megapolis is no longer a well-run city  Neither states anything about the current state of affairs at Megapolis. Eliminate.

Hope this helps.

Historian: Megapolis was once administered wisely, with vision and wit

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Historian: Megapolis was once administered wisely, with vision and wit

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