Reading Passage Question
In the pantheon of great thinkers, Karl Marx certainly ranks as one of the most influential, even if it has been said that no thinker has ever had his words more badly misrepresented, by supporters and detractors alike, than Karl Marx. After Marx, no social discipline was safe from an assault by Marxist thinkers. However, while the views and insights brought to bear by Marxists have helped to illuminate relationships in some disciplines, the Marxist worldview has been less successful when applied to certain human interactions. For example, Marxist perspectives on global power relations have been assailed by many critics.
Because Marx himself was especially concerned with economics, his followers have tended to elevate economic concerns, including the class struggle and control over the means of production, over all other areas. Thus, when analyzing the balance of power on a global level, key concepts such as nationalism, security, and the state are virtually ignored by Marxist scholars. On a theoretical level, it may be useful to strip away these concepts to more closely examine certain other dynamics at work, but the Marxist view often fails to describe what actually happens in the real world. Consider the strong nationalism evident in Poland, even after generations of one-party Communist rule.
Also, the Marxist devotion to capitalism leads to simplifications on the world stage. Marxist political scientists typically refer to the “world capitalist system” when analyzing interactions among nations, but this definition has less and less relevance when applied to the variety of economies at work in the world. Where do countries with transitional or developing economies such as China, Russia, and North Korea fit into this schema? Ultimately, a Marxist view of global interactions sacrifices a great many crucial concepts at the altar of one overarching economic perspective. Some critics have likened such a view to an analysis of Shakespeare’s Hamlet that neglects to discuss the protagonist and his motivations.
“In the pantheon of great thinkers, Karl Marx certainly ranks as one of the most influential”- is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.
This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 4 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 suggests which of the following about Karl Marx?
- Marx has had more influence on more disciplines than has any other thinker.
- He focused too much of his efforts on economic issues.
- Some believe the meaning of his work has been distorted to support a variety of views.
- Marx launched an assault on the social sciences.
- Marx’s views have been less than successful in describing economic relationships.
Answer: C
Explanation: Author discusses Karl Marx in the first paragraph. He says, “it has been said that no thinker has ever had his words more badly misrepresented. By supporters and detractors alike, than Karl Marx.” This supports choice C. A trap that goes too far is option A. Choice B is not a valid conclusion since there is a difference between claiming someone is "one of the most influential" and "the most influential." The passage just states that Marx was "especially concerned" with economics. It makes no mention of Marx devoting "too much" effort to the subject. Because the sentence refers to "Marx's followers" rather than Marx, choice D is wrong. Even if Choice E utilises some accurate language, the intent is misunderstood. Marx's theories have had trouble articulating international relations, much alone economics.
- The author of the passage most probably discusses Poland in order to
- refute an argument about the viability of Communism as an economic system
- highlight an example of a country in which Communism has failed to take hold
- demonstrate how theoretical descriptions of nationalism conform to real world examples
- provide an illustration of a deficiency in the viewpoint held by certain scholars
- prove that Marxist scholars have been unable to accurately describe the real world
Answer: D
Explanation: Most likely, the author of the passage brings up Poland to highlight a flaw in certain academics' perspectives. Because some scholars—possibly a few or perhaps one—are not all scholars. To better understand other processes at play, it may be useful theoretically to remove these ideas. But the Marxist perspective frequently falls short of capturing what actually occurs in the real world. Consider Poland's strong sense of nationality, which persists after decades of Communist one-party rule.
- The passage suggests that the author would be most likely to agree with which of the following statements?
- Global power relations are too complex to be effectively explained in terms of a single variable.
- The Marxist view of global relations should be abandoned because of its failures to accurately describe the world.
- The economies of China, Russia, and Korea will eventually transition to fully fledged capitalism.
- Marx’s followers have misrepresented his work in an effort to apply his economic ideas to a global setting.
- Any view of global relationships must include concepts of nationalism, security, and the state in order to accurately describe the world.
Answer: A
Explanation: The "simplifications" of the Marxist view are mentioned in the passage. “Ultimately, a Marxist view of global interactions sacrifices a great many crucial concepts at the altar of one overarching economic perspective.” The author says. This strengthens option A. Both options B and E go too far. Although the author may not share the Marxist viewpoint, he never suggests that it be rejected. Nationalism, security, and the state are all referred to in the passage as "important themes." But it is not stated that they "must" be included. Because the author doesn't describe what will happen in the future, option C is not supported. Although Choice D makes extensive use of passage vocabulary, the meaning is incorrect.
- As used in the passage, the phrase “world capitalist system” most likely refers to
- an effort by capitalist countries to attempt to dominate world markets
- a fully integrated global economy
- a homogeneity among the economies of the countries of the world
- a system that fails to take into account developing or transitional economies
- a Marxist critique of the global class struggle
Answer: C
Explanation: The last paragraph contains the sentence. The author claims that when applied to the various global economies. The global capitalism system "has less and less relevance." Therefore, the statement must refer to a system with little diversity. This is the case with Option C. The paragraph does not support Options A or B. Choice D is a clever trap solution because transitional economies, not the system itself, have been overlooked by Marxist theorists. Choice E is not supported by the paragraph and quotes the wrong part of it.
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