“Girl Deficit” Is Not Concern Only In Developing Countries GMAT Reading Comprehension

Reading Passage Question

“Girl deficit” is not a concern only in developing countries. Almost half the globe is facing the gradual distortion of the human sex ratio resulting from female feticide. According to demographer Nicholas Eberstadt, “the practice has become so ruthlessly routine in many contemporary societies that it has impacted their very population structures”.

The natural human sex ratio rarely crosses 105 males per 100 females. However, China where female feticide is rampant had a ratio of 120 to 100, even up to 150 in some districts, according to its mini-census in 2005. The reason is very obvious, proven by a ratio of 107 to 100 among firstborn children but nearly 150 among ones born later. By the early 21st century, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan had a "naturally impossible" ratio of 108 or higher. India has an increasing ratio, as high as 120 in some states. Some European countries, including Italy, are also not too far.

The United Nations puts the world sex ratio at birth at 107 boys to 100 girls for 2005 to 2010. Assuming 105 is natural, Dr. Eberstadt calculates a global "girl deficit" of at least 32 million. With such a significant number of unmarried and possibly disruptive men, the consequences can be serious and perpetuating. Several sociologists in various studies have noted that the addition of such a huge number of young “excess males” can have perverse and unexpected consequences, including increased demand for prostitution and an upsurge in the kidnapping and trafficking of women (as is now being witnessed in some women-scarce areas in Asia.) In addition to increased crime, violence, and social tensions, this phenomenon can very well lead to social instability.

Surprisingly, this phenomenon gets worse with opulence. Vietnam has had biased male-birth ratios only after it flourishing economically. Many studies show that in India and China, the problem is more prominent in comparatively richer regions. Richer people plan smaller families. Hence, those who have had a daughter first are ready to go to any extent to ensure that their second child is a boy. More money also means easy access to technology: ultrasound and abortion, a procedure psychologically less hurting and medically easier to prove as a necessity.

Upcoming advancements in science are only going to worsen this trend. A “technical” way of sex selection is through near-perfect in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in which only male embryos are implanted in the womb. However, today only very rich can afford this luxury. Very soon, the US is going to test the sperm selection method for sorting human sperm into X (female determining) and Y (male) types. This method is already used in dairy cattle with 93% accuracy. If this method becomes economical, one can easily imagine its popularity in countries such as India and China and the subsequent effect of this popularity.

“Girl deficit” is not a concern only in developing countries.”- is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 6 comprehension questions. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Solution and Explanation

1. The intention of the author to write this passage is:

1. to enumerate the implications of female feticide.
2. to highlight the effects of technological advancement on world sex ratio.
3. to evaluate girl deficit as a global phenomenon and its possible repercussions.
4. to reveal the fact that prosperity leads to worse sex ratio
5. to show why the sex ratio has always been male-biased

2. In paragraph 2, third sentence, what is the “obvious reason” that the author is hinting at?

1. Gradual distortion of the human sex ratio.
2. “Technical” way of sex selection.
3. Mini-census.
4. In-vitro fertilization.
5. Female feticide.

3. The author elucidates all of the following as possibly contributing to the skewed sex ratio due to increase in wealth EXCEPT:

1. Calculative family planning.
2. Exposure to better education and awareness.
3. Availability of technical options such as IVF.
4. Easy access to the procedure of sex selective abortion.
5. Strong determination to have a boy if the first child is a daughter.

4. It can be inferred from the passage that if the sperm selection method becomes economical, it will:

1. worsen the world sex ratio further.
2. help India and China to check their increasing population.
3. help the cattle breeders all across the globe
4. check the ruthless routine of female feticide.
5. help the rich plan a family judiciously.

5. What can be inferred about In-Vitro Fertilization from the passage?

1. It is used in the meat packing industry -especially related to beef - for selective sex selection.
2. It has great potential to alter the sex ratio, even in countries where the current sex ratio is not skewed.
3. It is keenly awaited in India and China where it has a very high demand.
4. t’s economic success hinges on a FDA approval
5. It’s only within the purview of the very rich.

6. The author’s tone about the phenomenon of girl deficits is one of:

1. Anger
2. Disgust
3. Concern
4. Amazement
5. Repulsion

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