By Far one of the toughest passages that I have come across , didn't understand a thing in the passage .
Left reading the passage half way in between as I realized it was a waste of time coz I was not registering anything.

Obviously , Questions took more time.
Took 15 minutes to complete the passage , though got 2 Questions incorrect.( including the one with Treadmill as the asnwer option )

GMATNinja , any thoughts on the strategy used for such tough passages ?

That strategy won't get you very far, unfortunately. If you don't take the time to fully understand the structure and purpose of the passage, it's going to be really hard to be accurate with the questions -- and virtually possible to be efficient. If your goal is an elite score, you have no choice but to understand the passage thoroughly before you tackle the questions. (For more thoughts on how to approach RC in general, check out this post.)

To be fair, though, this passage is TOUGH. And it's also an LSAT passage, which tend to be tougher than those on the GMAT. So it certainly isn't a sign of the apocalypse if you struggled on it, but in a perfect world, we don't want you to abandon passages unless you have absolutely no other choice. And maybe that was the case here, but fight to avoid making that a habit.

I hope this helps!
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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-


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Hello everyone,

I can't understand why the answer to Question 1: "The primary purpose of the passage is to"

Is: (A) "criticize the inflexibility of American economic mythology"
And not: (D) "champion those Americans whom the author deems to be neglected"

I'd appreciate your help, thanks!

Passage Map: Looks to be some sort of speech actually, but anyway.
P1: To describe the economic system as open and free, then dive deeper into how the US economic system's class politics - composed of those who want to keep what they have and those who want change

P2: Discuss the lack of change in the US and the failure of the system to recognise those silent workers.

Question 1 - Main Idea
A - Correct. The author generally criticises the rigidity of the structure of the economy by discussing the idea of a free system but then pointing out many failures of that system in P2.
B is incorrect. No 'New World' elements are discussed. The second passage really turns into a critique.
C is incorrect. Where are political leaders discussed?
D - the author discusses the fact that "America seems not to honor the quiet work that achieves social interdependence" and then goes on to give examples of those who quietly achieve social interdependence, but I wouldn't say he is advocating FOR these people specifically, he discusses them as evidence that the system is rigid and has failed to recognise these people.
E - No. This is far too specific to warrant two passages on.

Question 2 - Detail
This is a bit more tricky and nearly got me.
The "old world" is mentioned in P1.
We are first told that American defied (went against) the values of the Old world. Then we are told that "The old world categories OF settled possessiveness versus unsettling deprivation.." are basically rigid categories and that "We (Americans presumably) did not base the system (in defiance) on property but on opportunity".

Thus the answer is B

Question 3 - Detail Inference
Information is contained at the end of P1. Basically a "strong referee" is someone with authority who can make the final decision that each party must follow. The only role in this list that has any such authority is (C).

A - a principal has authority in the school, thats it. Incorrect
B - A political theorist simply passes commentary. No judgements. Incorrect.
C - Correct. A federal judge has the power to make such "strong" decisions across the federation.
D - A social worker is discussed in P2 and it is generally inferred that they are subordinate. Incorrect
E - A government inspector has no real authority. This answer tries to bait you by using the word "government". Incorrect


Question 5 - Inference
This is mentioned in P2 sentence 1.
Giving competitors "a piece of the action" is described as a measure taken to maintain the way things work, but extend the system to new entrants and others - the disenfranchised.

A - Incorrect. I actually chose this as I thought the change stemmed from one centralised power that didn't need to extend itself to others, so only did so out of desire/ compassion. This is false as the "race" is run by everyone and its not clear whether others can extend it. Also "misdirected" implies that including others in a piece of the action is not the best idea - this is false.
B is correct because based on the above we know that Americans want to maintain the Race, so would merely extend the race to others out of desire not to profoundly change the race.
C - Incorrect. It's not innovative at all.
D - No... its not a tribute to anything.
E - Old world is rigid/ inflexible to change/ defined by possessiveness of property etc, so I can't see how giving away a piece of something is in line with Old world values. Incorrect
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Took 18 minutes.. Got 6 out of 9 right.. Could someone please explain the answers for questions 4, 6 and 7 ? SajjadAhmad

Hi Gowtham006,

Not the official explanations. But let me know if this Helps.

4. The author sets off the word “Reform” with quotation marks in order to

(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

Explanation: can be inferred from the lines: "“Reform” in America has been sterile because it can imagine no change except through the extension of this metaphor of a race, wider inclusion of competitors", implication being that reform in America is based on change and is not based on any basic rules or principles.


6. Which of the following metaphors could the author most appropriately use to summarize his own assessment of the American economic system
(A) A windmill
(B) A waterfall
(C) A treadmill
(D) A gyroscope
(E) A bellows

Explanation: I inferred author's assessment from the lines: " Our only “station” was the turning of a stationary wheel, spinning faster and faster.". Only a treadmill is analogous to what author's trying to say. Also, the author can be seen mentioning that it's a race, with only wider inclusion of competitors. C is the best answer.


7. It can be inferred from the passage that Woodrow Wilson’s ideas about the economic market

(A) encouraged those who “make the system work”
(B) perpetuated traditional legends about America
(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

Explanation : can be inferred from the lines: "There is, in our legends, no heroism of the office clerk, no stable industrial work force of the people who actually make the system work. There is no pride in being an employee (Wilson asked for a return to the time when everyone was an employer). " , implies that Wilson himself believed that there was no pride in being an employee, thus he continued the traditional ideas about America.


Thanks.

I can't understand why and How is it D for Q9.

Is Wilson not in favor of liberal idea and he criticized old world.
I could understand in parts but I can't connect my bits and pieces.

only 5/9 correct. No idea about others 4 .

GMATNinja

What is the difference between "Primary Purpose" (as asked in 1st question) and "Main Point" (as asked in 9th question) of the passage ?
Kindly explain in the context of this passage. How to differentiate between the two ?
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Can anyone please help in explaining how the author is criticizing the American Idea of continuous change? Which lines in the passage actually signify that the author is criticizing? Where is that mentioned that the American idea is flawed?
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Waterfall is generally used to represent a continuous downfall. But here, the author, never mentions that the economy of US is in a downfall or anything, even though he criticises the system. Hope this makes sense

Would anybody provide paragraph summary for 3 of them? And explain Q1

Hi junii,

You can refer the paragraph summary by expert here:
https://gmatclub.com/forum/woodrow-wilson-was-referring-to-the-liberal-idea-of-the-77559.html#p1979034


Let us know if you still have doubts.
Thanks.

It can be inferred from the passage that the author most probably thinks that giving the disenfranchised “a piece of the action” is

(A) a compassionate, if misdirected, legislative measure
(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


could someone explain this question please, how is the answer B

Please read the explanation in the post in link below

https://gmatclub.com/forum/woodrow-wils ... l#p2391403

Best
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It’s probably not the best idea to get into comparing one question to another. We’re far better off taking each question (and each answer choice for that matter) individually and then going through a systematic process of elimination.

That being said, the primary purpose of the passage (Q1) is why the author wrote the passage, whereas the main point (Q9) is what the author has communicated by writing the passage. It’s a subtle distinction, and likely one of questionable value, but perhaps it’s helpful to think of it as two sides of the same coin. The primary purpose is why the author puts what he/she does into the passage (the author’s perspective), and the main point is what the reader is supposed to get out of the passage.

While the two concepts are different, they’re definitely related. This can be seen in the answers to questions 1 and 9. The author’s primary purpose is to “criticize the inflexibility of American economic mythology.” That’s why the author wrote this passage. But his/her main point is “the myth of the American free enterprise system is seriously flawed.” That’s what the author claims in order to criticize the American economic mythology.

I hope that helps!
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The American idea of continuous change is criticized throughout the third paragraph of the passage. While the entire paragraph identifies the flaws of this idea, the final sentence of the passage offers a particularly strong denunciation. It says, “There is no honor but in the Wonderland race we must all run, all trying to win, none winning in the end (for there is no end).”

The idea is that the constant change of the American economy has created a race with no end. As a result, everybody is forced to run and compete, but nobody wins. This sentence is supported by the rest of the third paragraph which points out the flaws of and lack of stability in the American economy.



I hope that helps!
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Can anyone explain Q5's solution please?