Reading Passage Question
Huey Long was a traveling salesman, a lawyer, and a world-class demagogue. He was elected governor of Louisiana in 1928 on a populist platform, and he actually did some good things for the state, such as making school text-books free and improving roads and highways. But he also ran a corrupt administration that was not above roughing up, blackmailing, or slandering those who opposed him. By 1930, the “Kingfish” was as close to an absolute dictator as there was in the country. He controlled the legislature and, after winning a U.S. Senate seat, refused to promptly vacate the governor’s office, thus holding both jobs for a while.
Originally an FDR supporter, Long broke with the White House mostly for egotistical reasons. He proposed a “Share Our Wealth” program that called for confiscating family fortunes of more than $5 million and annual incomes over $1 million and guaranteeing every family $2,500 a year, a homestead, and a car. Long had a national following and announced he would run against FDR at the head of a third party in 1936. Private polls showed he might garner 4 million votes, enough to tip the election to the Republicans. But he never got the chance. In September 1935, Long was shot to death on the steps of the Louisiana capitol by a man whose family he had ruined.
“Huey Long was a traveling salesman, a lawyer, and a world-class demagogue.”- 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
- The passage can best be described as which of the following?
(A) An overview of the danger of demagogues in American politics.
(B) A look at a distinctive regional political story in America.
(C) A brief biography of a memorable American.
(D) A cautionary tale about the dangers of democracy.
(E) A polemic against radicalism.
Answer: C
Explanation: The opening paragraph of the passage introduces Huey Long. A populist candidate who ran for governor of Louisiana in 1928 and was also a travelling salesman. A lawyer, and a world-class demagogue. According to the author, Huey Long made improvements to the state's roads and highways and made school textbooks free. But he also led a corrupt government that did not hesitate to abuse, extort, or defame anybody who disagreed with him. He had complete control over the legislature and, after being elected to the U.S. Senate, he didn't immediately resign as governor, keeping both positions for a period. A man whose family Long had destroyed shot Long dead on the steps of the Louisiana state capital in September 1935.
- According to the passage, why might the Democratic party have been worried about Long’s possible run for the White House in 1936?
(A) He might have run as a Republican.
(B) He refused to give FDR his formal endorsement.
(C) His death made him ineligible to run.
(D) Polls showed he would secure enough of the Democratic vote to swing the election to the Republican party.
(E) He was a demagogue.
Answer: D
Explanation: Long, who had a sizable national following. Declared his intention to challenge FDR in 1936 as the leader of a third party. According to unofficial surveys, he might get 4 million votes, which would swing the election in favour of the Republicans. But he never had the opportunity.
- The last sentence of the passage most likely points to which of the following?
(A) Long’s policies hurt some of the people who he was supposed to represent as an elected official.
(B) Long did not know how to defend himself in an attack.
(C) Private security forces were not as common in the 1930s as they are now.
(D) The man who shot Long was probably ruined by the Great Depression.
(E) People always get what’s coming to them.
Answer: A
Explanation: As stated, Long was shot to death on the steps of the Louisiana capitol in September 1935. By a man whose family had been ruined by him.
- According to the passage, what was a popular nickname for Huey Long?
(A) “Huey”
(B) “FDR”
(C) “Demagogue”
(D) “Share Our Wealth”
(E) “Kingfish”
Answer: E
Explanation: Travelling salesman Huey Long also practised law and was a renowned demagog. On the basis of a populist platform. He won the governorship of Louisiana in 1928, and he accomplished several positive things for the state. Such as providing free textbooks for schools and enhancing roads and highways. He was known as "Kingfish" by 1930 and was the closest thing to an absolute dictatorship that existed in the nation.
- The [Highlighted] section in the passage plays what role in the first paragraph?
(A) Reveals the author’s shock that Long did worthwhile things.
(B) Pivots to the type of activities Long usually engaged in.
(C) Reminds or informs readers that Long did some good things on the way to his eventual demagoguery.
(D) Reveals that Long was really a good person underneath his bluster.
(E) Hints as to why some people may have been slow to recognize Long’s true nature.
Answer: C
Explanation: According to the passage, Huey Long was a travelling salesman, a lawyer, and a world-class demagogue. He won the governorship of Louisiana in 1928, and he accomplished several positive things for the state. Such as making school text-books free and improving roads and highways. But he also oversaw a corrupt government that did not hesitate to abuse, extort, or defame anybody who disagreed with him
- Based on the passage, which of the following groups of people could reasonably be assumed to be most against Huey Long’s presidential run?
(A) The Republican Party
(B) The people of Louisiana
(C) Economically disadvantaged people
(D) Wealthy people with annual incomes of over $1,000,000
(E) Women
Answer: D
Explanation: As stated, Long presided over the legislature and, after obtaining a seat in the U.S. Senate, declined to immediately resign as governor, keeping both positions for a period. In his "Share Our Wealth" program. He suggested taking away family fortunes worth more than $5 million and yearly earnings exceeding $1 million in exchange for a $2,500 annual grant. A home, and a car for each family. Long, who had a sizable national following, declared his intention to challenge FDR in 1936 as the leader of a third party.
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