GMATGuruNY's explanations
On my first reading, I try only to get the big idea of each paragraph and the tone and the purpose of the passage:
Paragraph 1:
In America the old view of ownership is less important; each person can make his own opportunity.
Paragraph 2:
Criticizes how America focuses not enough on interdependence and too much on competition.
When I'm asked about something specific in the passage, I take the following steps:
1. Find in the passage the window that will contain the answer (usually about 5 lines above to 5 lines below what the question is asking about).
2. Read carefully.
3. Try to answer the question in my own words -- before I look at the answer choices.
4. Look for the answer choice that best matches the way I answered the question for myself.
Most of the correct answers should support the author's view: that America focuses too much on competition. So let's get some points!
1. The primary purpose of the passage is to. To criticize America for being too focused on competition.
(A) criticize the inflexibility of American economic mythology. - Correct
(B) contrast “Old World” and “New World” economic ideologies
(C) challenge the integrity of traditional political leaders
(D) champion those Americans whom the author deems to be neglected
(E) suggest a substitute for the traditional metaphor of a race
2. According to the passage, “Old World” values were based on: ownership
(A) ability
(B) property = ownership
(C) family connections
(D) guild hierarchies
(E) education
3. In the context of the author’s discussion of regulating change, which of the following could be most probably regarded as a “strong referee” (line 30) in the United States? Someone to give them a strong position in the race...a regulative hand...an authority..
(A) A school principal
(B) A political theorist
(C) A federal court judge Closest to the description above.
(D) A social worker
(E) A government inspector
4. The author sets off the word “Reform” (line 35) with quotation marks in order to: Reform is "sterile". No "attempt to call off the race". We refuse to change our ways.
(A) emphasize its departure from the concept of settled possessiveness
(B) show his support for a systematic program of change
(C) underscore the flexibility and even amorphousness of United States society
(D) indicate that the term was one of Wilson’s favorites
(E) assert that reform in the United States has not been fundamental - Correct
5. It can be inferred from the passage that the author most probably thinks that giving the disenfranchised “a piece
of the action” (line 38) is: A bad idea. We should be more willing to "call off the race".
(A) a compassionate, if misdirected, legislative measure - Correct
(B) an example of Americans’ resistance to profound social change
(C) an innovative program for genuine social reform
(D) a monument to the efforts of industrial reformers
(E) a surprisingly “Old World” remedy for social ills
6. Which of the following metaphors could the author most appropriately use to summarize his own assessment of the American economic system (lines 35-60)? It's a race.
(A) A windmill
(B) A waterfall
(C) A treadmill - Correct
(D) A gyroscope
(E) A bellows
7. It can be inferred from the passage that Woodrow Wilson’s ideas about the economic market
In our legends, no heroism in being an office clerk or part of the stable work force. Woodrow agreed: he wanted everyone to be an employer, not an employee. (A) encouraged those who “make the system work” (lines 45-46)
(B) perpetuated traditional legends about America - Correct
(C) revealed the prejudices of a man born wealthy
(D) foreshadowed the stock market crash of 1929
(E) began a tradition of presidential proclamations on economics
8. The passage contains information that would answer which of the following questions? Gotta check each one.
I. What techniques have industrialists used to manipulate a free market? Not discussed. Eliminate A and D.
II. In what ways are “New World” and “Old World” economic policies similar? Passage says they're different. Eliminate B and E. The correct answer is C.
III. Has economic policy in the United States tended to reward independent action? No need to check this since we already determined the correct answer, but the passage criticizes America for focusing too much on competition and not enough on interdependence.
(A) I only
(B) II only
(C) III only
(D) I and II only
(E) II and III only
9. Which of the following best expresses the author’s main point?
Critical of America for focusing too much on competition.
(A) Americans’ pride in their jobs continues to give them stamina today.
(B) The absence of a status quo ante has undermined United States economic structure.
(C) The free enterprise system has been only a useless concept in the United States. Too strong.
(D) The myth of the American free enterprise system is seriously flawed. Better.
(E) Fascination with the ideal of “openness” has made Americans a progressive people.
Ron's thought on this passage-
Quote:
oh.
my.
lord.
whoever wrote this passage should immediately step away from the keyboard, and should never again attempt to write a GMAT passage.
this looks like something written by one of the 1950's beat generation poets.
in fact, this passage is so un-GMAT-like that i am seriously inclined to believe that it's a practical joke -- i.e., that someone actually wrote it while thinking, "haha i'm going to write this ridiculous thing and see whether anyone on the forums actually takes it seriously."
ignore.
no, really, guys -- ignore this passage. it is not worth discussing, at all, in any way.
does anyone have the link to the document from which this problem came?
i'd like to look at it -- i really, really, really hope that all one thousand problems aren't as worthless as this one.
yikes
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The Moment You Think About Giving Up, Think Of The Reason Why You Held On So Long
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