Given the persistent and intransigent nature of the American race syst

Question

Given the persistent and intransigent nature of the American race system, which proved quite impervious to black attacks, Du Bois in his speeches and writings moved from one proposed solution to another, and the salience of various parts of his philosophy changed as his perceptions of the needs and strategies of black America shifted over time. Aloof and autonomous in his personality, Du Bois did not hesitate to depart markedly from whatever was the current mainstream of black thinking when he perceived that the conventional wisdom being enunciated by black spokesmen was proving inadequate to the task of advancing the race. His willingness to seek different solutions often placed him well in advance of his contemporaries, and this, combined with a strong-willed, even arrogant personality made his career as a black leader essentially a series of stormy conflicts.

Thus Du Bois first achieved his role as a major black leader in the controversy that arose over the program of Booker T. Washington, the most prominent and influential black leader at the opening of the twentieth century. Amidst the wave of lynchings, disfranchisement, and segregation laws, Washington, seeking the good will of powerful whites, taught blacks not to protest against discrimination, but to elevate themselves through industrial education, hard work, and property accumulation; then, they would ultimately obtain recognition of their citizenship rights. At first Du Bois agreed with this gradualist strategy, but in 1903 with the publication of his most influential book, Souls of Black Folk, he became the chief leader of the onslaught against Washington that polarized the black community into two wings—the “conservative” supporters of Washington and his “radical” critics.    1 
 1. Which of the following statements about W. E. B. Du Bois does the passage best support?

A. He sacrificed the proven strategies of earlier black leaders to his craving for political novelty.
B. Preferring conflict to harmony, he followed a disruptive course that alienated him from the bulk of his followers.
C. He proved unable to change with the times in mounting fresh attacks against white racism.
D. He relied on the fundamental benevolence of the white population for the eventual success of his movement.
E. Once an adherent of Washington’s policies, he ultimately lost patience with them for their inefficacy.

2  
 2. It can be inferred that Booker T. Washington in comparison with W. E. B. Du Bois could not be described as

A. submissive to the majority
B. concerned with financial success
C. versatile in adopting strategies
D. traditional in preaching industry
E. respectful of authority

3  
 3. The author’s attitude toward Du Bois’s departure from conventional black policies can best be described as

A. skeptical
B. derisive
C. shocked
D. approving
E. resigned

Sajjad1994 · Answer

OE

1. Which of the following statements about W. E. B. Du Bois does the passage best support?

(E)  The last sentence points out that Du Bois originally agreed with Washington’s program.

Choice A  is incorrect. Nothing in the passage suggests that Du Bois sacrificed effective strategies out of a desire to try something new.

Choice B  is incorrect. Du Bois gained in influence, effectively winning away large numbers of blacks from Washington’s policies.

Choice C  is incorrect. Du Bois’s quickness to depart from conventional black wisdom when it proved inadequate to the task of advancing the race shows him to be well able to change with the times.

Choice D  is incorrect. Washington, not Du Bois, is described as seeking the good will of powerful whites. 
 
  Answer: E

Sajjad1994 · Answer

OE

2. It can be inferred that Booker T. Washington in comparison with W. E. B. Du Bois could not be described as

(C)  The author does not portray Washington as versatile. Instead, he portrays Du Bois as versatile.

Choice A  is incorrect. The author portrays Washington as submissive to the majority; he shows him teaching blacks not to protest.

Choice B  is incorrect. The author portrays Washington as concerned with financial success; he shows him advocating property accumulation.

Choice D  is incorrect. The author portrays Washington as traditional in preaching industry; he shows him advocating hard work.

Choice E  is incorrect. The author portrays Washington as respectful of authority; he shows him deferring to powerful whites. 
 
  Answer: C

Sajjad1994 · Answer

OE

3. The author’s attitude toward Du Bois’s departure from conventional black policies can best be described as

Although the author points out that Du Bois’s methods led him into conflicts, he describes Du Bois as  “often . . . well in advance of his contemporaries”  and stresses that his motives for departing from the mainstream were admirable. Thus, his attitude can best be described as approving. 
 
  Answer: D

manish8242 · Answer

But wahsington is just advising Black peoples to accumulate property. how does it mean that he himself was financially concerned? If i am saying a Literature student that please read poems then does that mean i also read poem? Its just advice nothing more. I can give any advice to anyone it doesn't mean i am that person.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Yes, you are right the passage doesn’t directly say that Washington was personally concerned with financial success but more importantly, the question asks: in comparison with Du Bois, which trait could not be described as belonging to Washington?

Hence  (C)  is clearly the correct as Washington was not versatile, unlike Du Bois.

Given the persistent and intransigent nature of the American race syst

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards