Before There Were Books, Before, Even, There Was The Written Word GMAT Reading Comprehension

Reading Passage Question

There must have been stories told before books, before the written word existed in civilization. We humans communicate thoughts, needs, desires, and instructions in a unique way by telling stories to one another. Whether it's a true story about what happened on the way to the well yesterday—a story meant to instruct about the most recent water situations—or a dramatic retelling of a long-ago battle—a cautionary tale meant to warn against unnecessary warfare—stories have the unique ability to bring home information and instruct in a way that a simple recitation of the facts cannot.

The Tale, the Parable, and the Fable are all common and popular modes of instruction, each with its own unique characteristics. The true Fable, if it meets its high standards, always aims at one great end and purpose: the representation of human motive and the improvement of human conduct, and yet it conceals its design under the disguise of fictitious characters, by clothing with speech the animals of the field, the birds of the air, the trees of the wood, or the beasts of the forest, so that the reader receives the advice without noticing the adviser's presence. Thus, the superiority of the counsellor is hidden, and the lesson is more readily accepted when the reader is led, unconsciously to himself, to have his sympathies enlisted on behalf of what is pure, honourable, and praiseworthy, and his indignation aroused against what is low, ignoble, and unworthy.

As a result, the true fabulist is charged with a critical function. He is not a narrator or an allegorist; rather, he is a great teacher, a moral corrector, a censor of vice, and a commander of virtue. This is where the Fable triumphs over the Tale or the Parable. The fabulist's job is to make people laugh while also conveying information. The great imitator of Aesop, Phaedrus, clearly indicates this dual purpose to be the true office of the fable writer.

The Fable agrees with and differs from the Tale and the Parable in some ways. It will contain, like the Tale, a short but true narrative; it will seek, like the Parable, to convey a hidden meaning, not so much through the use of language as through the deft introduction of fictitious characters; and yet, unlike either Tale or Parable, it will always keep in mind, as its high prerogative and inseparable attribute, the great purpose of instruction, and will necessarily seek to inculcate some moral maxim, social duty, or political truth.

The Tale is simply the narration of a story that is either based on facts or made up entirely by the imagination, and is not necessarily associated with the teaching of any moral lesson. The Parable is a purposeful use of language intended to convey a hidden and secret meaning other than that contained in the words themselves, and which may or may not bear a special reference to the listener or reader.

“Before there were books, before, even, there was the written word”- is a reading comprehension exercise for the GMAT. Candidates must be extremely skilled in GMAT reading comprehension. This GMAT reading comprehension section contains three comprehension questions. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed to assess candidates' ability to comprehend, analyzation, and application skills. GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions can help candidates who are actively preparing.

Solutions and Explanation

1. he passage suggests that the fable is superior to the parable and the tale for none of the following reasons EXCEPT:

1. the fable contains a moral lesson within its narrative.
2. the parable ‘s message may be too enigmatic for a reader to comprehend.
3. the tale is a chronicle of recent historical events.

1. I only
2. I and II
3. II and III
4. I, II, and III
5. None of the above

2. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT a requirement for a narrative text to be classified as a fable?

1. Imaginary characters, such as personified animals and natural objects, are used.
2. Inclusion of social, moral, or political references that are relevant to today's readers
3. Constant awareness and focus on a specific instructional goal
4. figurative or poetic language used to demonstrate the author's creative ability
5. Every fable must conclude with a moral.

3. Which of the following best characterizes the claim that the fabulist is a great teacher, a corrector of morals, a censor of vice, and a commander of virtue?

1. It is an analysis of the importance of the fabulist ‘s role in society.
2. It is a conclusion that fabulists should be honoured above writers of parables or tales.
3. It is appreciation for the fabulist ‘s ability to multi-task.
4. It advocates increased honour and respect for the fabulist.
5. It suggests that more and more people should become fabulists

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