Last visit was: 12 Jul 2025, 10:04 It is currently 12 Jul 2025, 10:04
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
gmat6nplus1
Joined: 04 Oct 2013
Last visit: 09 Jan 2019
Posts: 141
Own Kudos:
665
 [26]
Given Kudos: 29
Concentration: Finance, Leadership
GMAT 1: 590 Q40 V30
GMAT 2: 730 Q49 V40
WE:Project Management (Media/Entertainment)
GMAT 2: 730 Q49 V40
Posts: 141
Kudos: 665
 [26]
9
Kudos
Add Kudos
17
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
carcass
User avatar
Board of Directors
Joined: 01 Sep 2010
Last visit: 09 Jul 2025
Posts: 4,723
Own Kudos:
36,154
 [10]
Given Kudos: 4,813
Posts: 4,723
Kudos: 36,154
 [10]
8
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
sandysilva
Joined: 30 Dec 2016
Last visit: 23 Apr 2019
Posts: 190
Own Kudos:
874
 [5]
Given Kudos: 199
GMAT 1: 650 Q42 V37
GPA: 4
WE:Business Development (Other)
Products:
GMAT 1: 650 Q42 V37
Posts: 190
Kudos: 874
 [5]
5
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
User avatar
carcass
User avatar
Board of Directors
Joined: 01 Sep 2010
Last visit: 09 Jul 2025
Posts: 4,723
Own Kudos:
36,154
 [2]
Given Kudos: 4,813
Posts: 4,723
Kudos: 36,154
 [2]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
gmat6nplus1
carcass
Honestly speaking:the passages from Aristotle are pieces of crap. My personal opinion.

Thje CR and SC guide are the best choices on the market, really. If you use only these guides you have the best material out there and nothing else you need.

But RC is not their business

Thanks for your invaluable contribution mr carcass.

Listen

RC section is the most difficult among the components of the Verbal part of the exam: time consuming, convoluted, tough, difficult language BUT at the same time is the most simple, only 4 kinds of question, pretty straight

- main idea
- inference (a lot)
- role of the paragraph
- sometimes weaken or strenghten question
- some other variation.

Is alweays the same path, over and over again.

OG 12 and 13 or 11 and 10........actually this material is more than enough to overcome this section. I mean: is enough not only for the exam but for your entire life, career.

As such, quality over quantity. Stop strategy, read the entire passage without paying attention too munch on details because you can spot them when a specific question pop up in front of you with the passage on the left. Understanding of the whole situation.

That's it.

regards
User avatar
sandysilva
Joined: 30 Dec 2016
Last visit: 23 Apr 2019
Posts: 190
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 199
GMAT 1: 650 Q42 V37
GPA: 4
WE:Business Development (Other)
Products:
GMAT 1: 650 Q42 V37
Posts: 190
Kudos: 874
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post


2) What does the author say about weak political parties? They lead to a preference for single terms, which, when enacted, lead to corruption. Evaluate the choices with this main chain of causes and effects in mind. While three choices aren‘t touched on by the author, (C) is the main point made in ¶3 and the beginning of ¶ 4: single-term systems encourage individual bargains (which ultimately lead to corruption.)

(A): Out of Scope. The author never discusses appointing people to political posts.

(B): Out of Scope. This also isn‘t touched on by the author. Foreign observers favour frequent elections, but not necessarily parties.

(C): The correct answer

(D): Opposite. The author argues that single-term systems are more frequent in systems with weak political parties, which would presumably decrease the frequency of elections.

(E): Opposite
User avatar
sandysilva
Joined: 30 Dec 2016
Last visit: 23 Apr 2019
Posts: 190
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 199
GMAT 1: 650 Q42 V37
GPA: 4
WE:Business Development (Other)
Products:
GMAT 1: 650 Q42 V37
Posts: 190
Kudos: 874
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post


3) What is the author‘s main argument for avoiding the single-term system? It leads to corruption. Looking for something that would weaken this argument turns up (B), which contradicts the author‘s main reason for avoiding the single-term system.

(A): Out of Scope. The author isn‘t concerned with the foreign observers themselves, but rather the points that they make.

(B): The correct answer

(C): Opposite. This would, if anything, strengthen the author‘s argument that the single-term system is a bad idea.

(D): Opposite. A parliamentary system is given as a contrast to the single-party system. If the parliamentary system were more democratic, this would strengthen the author‘s contention that the single-term system is a bad idea.

(E): What politicians favour doesn‘t affect the author‘s claims
User avatar
Aadi01
Joined: 11 Sep 2019
Last visit: 10 Dec 2023
Posts: 96
Own Kudos:
62
 [5]
Given Kudos: 55
Location: India
Schools: ISB'22
Schools: ISB'22
Posts: 96
Kudos: 62
 [5]
5
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Topic and Scope -
The author discusses the single-term presidential system and argues that it‘s a bad idea.

Mapping the Passage

¶1 introduces the idea of a single presidential term.
¶2 argues that the single term is usually associated with countries with weak political
parties and therefore popular when political parties are weak.
¶s3 and 4 argue that single-term systems encourage corruption.
¶5 argues that the single-term system is designed to make up for weak parties, but
ends up making parties even weaker.

Strategy Point:
Take time to paraphrase difficult points that touch on main ideas in the passage.
Critical reading depends heavily on moving quickly through less important text and
spending extra time on meaningful sections.
avatar
ashu2503
Joined: 15 Mar 2020
Last visit: 06 Feb 2025
Posts: 24
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 31
Posts: 24
Kudos: 3
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
In the 2nd paragraph, what does the line "Better under those..." mean? The sentence structure seems weird to me.
User avatar
bM22
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 05 May 2016
Last visit: 08 May 2024
Posts: 741
Own Kudos:
765
 [1]
Given Kudos: 1,316
Location: India
Products:
Posts: 741
Kudos: 765
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
ashu2503
In the 2nd paragraph, what does the line "Better under those..." mean? The sentence structure seems weird to me.

Hi ashu2503,

I'll share my thoughts about the sentence. Let me know if this helps.

"Better under those...." in the passage is presenting a counter argument, mostly meaning that because the single term is usually present in countries having weak political systems, no faith can be put in re-elections. Under such conditions negative assumptions against incumbents are the best way to decide the fate of management.


Thanks.
avatar
Ritesh Chauhan
Joined: 30 Jan 2017
Last visit: 29 Dec 2020
Posts: 4
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 3
Posts: 4
Kudos: 3
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
ashu2503
In the 2nd paragraph, what does the line "Better under those..." mean? The sentence structure seems weird to me.


It means that under such condition it is better to work with negative assumptions or suspicions against those who are in the power. Author is here doubting on political office-holders and their working.
avatar
mk96
Joined: 14 Mar 2018
Last visit: 18 Sep 2022
Posts: 79
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 195
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Finance
Schools: IIMA PGPX'22
GPA: 4
WE:Corporate Finance (Finance: Investment Banking)
Schools: IIMA PGPX'22
Posts: 79
Kudos: 22
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Can someone help how to go about reading this passage? I had extreme difficulty in understanding the text.
avatar
Ritesh Chauhan
Joined: 30 Jan 2017
Last visit: 29 Dec 2020
Posts: 4
Own Kudos:
3
 [2]
Given Kudos: 3
Posts: 4
Kudos: 3
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
mk96
Can someone help how to go about reading this passage? I had extreme difficulty in understanding the text.


1st of all understand all the difficult words you find in the passage. Means, you must have good understanding of usage of words. Then read at least 3-4 words together, it makes more sense during reading when you read in clauses or half the line together instead of 1-2 words. Find connection of a line to the previous one; find same link between the paragraphs. How the previous para ends and what this next para is explaining in context to previous para. Once you start figuring out the main points of paras and objective of passage, easily you can understand the context of any passage you come across anytime.
Following above technique with some practice will, definitely, make you an absorbent reader.
avatar
mk96
Joined: 14 Mar 2018
Last visit: 18 Sep 2022
Posts: 79
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 195
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Finance
Schools: IIMA PGPX'22
GPA: 4
WE:Corporate Finance (Finance: Investment Banking)
Schools: IIMA PGPX'22
Posts: 79
Kudos: 22
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Which sources should I use to practice RC for GMAT?
avatar
Ritesh Chauhan
Joined: 30 Jan 2017
Last visit: 29 Dec 2020
Posts: 4
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 3
Posts: 4
Kudos: 3
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
mk96
Which sources should I use to practice RC for GMAT?

Butler RC on GMAT club; Aristotle 99RC, CLAT RC, GRE RC, CAT RC. Practice RC from various sources to avoid any surprise question in the exam as well as making yourself adept in various writing-structure and topics.
avatar
mk96
Joined: 14 Mar 2018
Last visit: 18 Sep 2022
Posts: 79
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 195
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Finance
Schools: IIMA PGPX'22
GPA: 4
WE:Corporate Finance (Finance: Investment Banking)
Schools: IIMA PGPX'22
Posts: 79
Kudos: 22
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
in the below paragraph what exactly is the "constitutional limitation"? :

While many points are worth making in an evaluation of the single six-year presidential term, one of the most telling points against the single
term has not been advanced. This kind of constitutional limitation on elections are generally a product of systems with weak or non-existent political parties
avatar
Ritesh Chauhan
Joined: 30 Jan 2017
Last visit: 29 Dec 2020
Posts: 4
Own Kudos:
3
 [1]
Given Kudos: 3
Posts: 4
Kudos: 3
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
[quote="mk96"]in the below paragraph what exactly is the "constitutional limitation"? :

The writer is talking here about the constitutional limitation on 6 years president term- he can't be president again for the next six years. And this rule falls under the constitution of the nation. eg. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice; it is in their constitution. So this limitation can deprive a nation of a good leader for the 3rd term such as the USA has Trump rather than Obama for 3rd term.
avatar
honey1
Joined: 25 Sep 2020
Last visit: 12 May 2021
Posts: 55
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 76
Posts: 55
Kudos: 6
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
can you plz explain why in question 3 option D is wrong.
thank you
User avatar
CrackverbalGMAT
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 03 Oct 2013
Last visit: 12 Jul 2025
Posts: 4,847
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 225
Affiliations: CrackVerbal
Location: India
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 4,847
Kudos: 8,635
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
honey1
can you plz explain why in question 3 option D is wrong.
thank you

Hi

Q3 asks what will weaken the author's claim about single-term political systems. We need to therefore identify the various claims that the author makes about such systems. These are:

i) It is a product of systems with weak or non-existent political parties.
ii) The desire for re-election is no safeguard against mismanagement.
iii) It is strongly associated with corruption.

The correct answer option will negate one of these claims. Option (D) does not address either of these claims and hence cannot be the correct answer. Option (B) addresses (iii) above and hence is the correct answer.

Hope this helps.
avatar
heyrohit
avatar
Current Student
Joined: 23 Apr 2019
Last visit: 23 Jan 2022
Posts: 38
Own Kudos:
17
 [2]
Given Kudos: 111
Location: India
Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Technology
GMAT 1: 650 Q50 V28
GMAT 2: 690 Q50 V33
GMAT 3: 670 Q48 V34
GPA: 3.92
GMAT 3: 670 Q48 V34
Posts: 38
Kudos: 17
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I spent almost 30 mins (along with dictionary to solve this).

Some key words:
1. Fallout - adverse side effects of a decision.
2. Elective job - a job filled by election
3. Appointive job - a job filled by appointment.
4. Beleaguered situation - very difficult situation.
5. Endemic - regularly (or commonly) found
6. Rigidify - Make something inflexible
7. Determinacy - Quality of being certain
8. "millstone around the neck" - add another problem to choke.
9. "come home to roost" - someone's past bad things come back to bite.

Let's first understand the passage

Quote:
While many points are worth making in an evaluation of the single six- year presidential term, one of the most telling points against the single term has not been advanced. This kind of constitutional limitation on elections is generally a product of systems with weak or non-existent political parties.

Passage is about evaluating single six-year presidential term (S-Y PT)i.e. a president can have only one term.
- Currently in US a president can server max 2 terms. It was changed after Franklin D. Roosevelt is the only US president who server more than 2 terms.

Author: One point about S-Y PT is not much talked about.
That point is - S-Y PT (_This kind of constitutional limitation on elections_) is because of weak political parties.

Quote:
Since there is no party continuity or corporate party integrity in such systems, there is no basis for putting trust in the desire for re-election as a safeguard against mismanagement in the executive branch. Better under those conditions to operate on the basis of negative assumptions against incumbents. I do not know if the earliest proposal for a single, nonrepeatable term was made in the 1820s because that was a period of severely weak political parties. But I do feel confident that this is a major reason, if not the only reason, that such a proposal has been popular since the 1940s.

This passage talks about one issue with S-Y PT
Line 1 - In S-Y PT, because there is no desire for re-election (you can't do it), there is safeguard against President mismanaging the office.
Line 2 - I didn't understand the meaning of it.
Line 3 - more unnecessary details.

Quote:
Though the association of the non-repeatable election with weak political parties is not in itself an argument against the limitation, the fallout from this association does contribute significantly to the negative argument. Single-term limitations are strongly associated with corruption. In any weak party system, including the presidential system, the onus of making deals and compromises, both shady and honourable, rests heavily upon individual candidates. Without some semblance of corporate integrity in a party, individual candidates have few opportunities to amortize their obligations across the spectrum of elective and appointive jobs and policy proposals. The deals tend to be personalized and the payoffs come home to roost accordingly.

This passage talks about another issue with S-Y PT
Line 2: S-Y PT are associated with corruption.
Line 1: S-Y PT are usually associated with country having weak political parties. However, this pattern itself is not that bad. However, the side-effects of this association is negative. Side-effect == corruption.
Line 3: details on why S-Y PT are corrupted

Quote:
If that situation is already endemic in conditions of weak or non- existent parties, adding to it the limitation against re-election means that candidates and officials, already prevented from amortizing their deals across space, are also unable to amortize their obligations temporally. This makes for a highly beleaguered situation. The single six-year term for presidents is an effort to compensate for the absence of a viable party system, but it is a compensation ultimately paid for by further weakening the party system itself.

Continues talking about how one person making deal can be bad/corrupt. This is a very difficult situation
Line 1: S-Y PT - presidents don't do their job well.

Quote:
Observers, especially foreign observers, have often noted that one source of weakness in American political parties is the certainty of election every two or four years, not only because any artificial limitation on elections is a violation of democratic principles but also because when elections are set in a certain and unchangeable cycle, political parties do not have to remain alert but can disappear into inactivity until a known point prior to the next election. To rigidify matters by going beyond the determinacy of the electoral cycle to add an absolute rule of one term would hang still another millstone around the neck of already doddering political parties.

Observers - one weakness of American politics is election every 2 or 4 years. What's the weakness - didn't quite get
Summary however is - To rigidify matters by going beyond the determinacy of the electoral cycle to add an absolute rule of one term would hang still another millstone around the neck of already doddering political parties.
This means that S-Y PT will add another millstone (challenge to already bad system).
avatar
akshayshukla1991
Joined: 26 Jun 2018
Last visit: 03 May 2022
Posts: 9
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 5
Posts: 9
Kudos: 2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
What would be the difficulty level for the passage? Got 2/3 under 10 mins
 1   2   
Moderators:
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7349 posts
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
235 posts
GRE Forum Moderator
15828 posts