Reading Passage Question
Prior to the fall of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), Mikhail Gorbachev, seeing a country falling behind its Western rival and a people increasingly clamoring for change, addressed the growing internal unrest in the summer of 1987 by introducing a series of reforms known as perestroika (literally, restructuring). In Perestroika: New Thinking for Our Country and the World, Mikhail Gorbachev discussed his analysis of the problems facing the USSR and his plans to solve them. Perhaps the most pressing and visible problem facing the USSR in the last 1980s came in the form of the country’s consistently mediocre economic performance, despite its vast natural resource wealth and large labor force. Gorbachev flatly admitted that economic failures were increasing and current policies were failing to offer a sustainable remedy. Failing to take advantage of the numerous scientific and technological advancements available, the USSR relied on inefficient and outdated business models. As a result, Gorbachev said, "in the last fifteen years the national income growth rates had declined by more than a half and by the beginning of the eighties had fallen to a level close to economic stagnation." With business executives focused on using more resources (in order to employ more people) instead of becoming more efficient, the country produced poor quality products unable to compete in a global economy. Further, this inefficiency led to shortages: "the Soviet Union, the world’s biggest producer of steel, raw materials, fuel and energy, has shortfalls in them due to wasteful or inefficient use."
The decrepit economy engendered social unrest and woe that only compounded economic difficulties and societal misery. Gorbachev wrote of "a gradual erosion of the ideological and moral values of our people" and noted the considerable growth in "alcoholism, drug addiction and crime." Accentuating these difficulties, the Communist government often ignored the needs of the average citizen, causing distrust and resentment. Perhaps the most destructive element of the social unraveling and inadequate government response was the mediocre education system. Gorbachev said, "Creative thinking was driven out from the social sciences, and superfluous and voluntarist assessments and judgments were declared indisputable truths." Although Gorbachev also opined about the growing public disbelief in the content of the immense government propaganda campaigns, the extent to which economic underdevelopment and social deviance gripped Soviet culture made the collapse of the USSR virtually inevitable in the minds of many observers. When combined with glasnost (literally, openness), Gorbachev’s plan that allowed greater transparency, perestroika actually served to hasten the collapse of the USSR. Contrary to its purpose, perestroika ensured that the fall of the USSR would occur sooner rather than later. Only a few years after Gorbachev implemented changes that would have been unthinkable and antithetical to the philosophy of previous leaders like Lenin, Stalin, and Khrushchev, the USSR fell.
“Prior to the fall of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)”- is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.
This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 7 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
- Which of the following best describes the primary objective of the passage?
A) Argue that the implementation of perestroika caused the fall of the Soviet Union
B) Explain perestroika along with its roots and consequences
C) Analyze the pros and cons of Mikhail Gorbachev's decision to implement perestroika
D) Explain the short-falls of a communist system and offer remedies
E) Discuss the role of Mikhail Gorbachev in propelling the USSR towards ceasing to exist
Answer: B
Explanation: Mikhail Gorbachev on seeing a country falling behind its Western rival and a people increasingly clamouring for change. He implemented a series of changes known as perestroika in the summer of 1987 to address the escalating internal unrest. Mikhail Gorbachev talked about his analysis of the issues facing the USSR and his solutions in Perestroika. New Thinking for Our Country and the World. Perestroika assisted to speed the fall of the USSR when paired with glasnost, Gorbachev's strategy that allowed for increased transparency. Perestroika guaranteed that the USSR would fall sooner rather than later, which was contrary to what it was meant to do. The passage's main goal is to explain what Mikhail Gorbachev meant by the USSR's fundamental problems. When he proposed the perestroika reforms. His reorganisation recommendations go into detail into the underlying problems and their effects.
- The passage implies that which of the following was most true of the Soviet economy prior to perestroika:
A) Suffered from underperformance due to excessive government regulation and micro-management
B) Failed to meet its potential as a result of corruption and bureaucratic overhead
C) Lacked adequate natural resources to grow efficiently, regardless of business management
D) Focused on achieving high-employment rather than export-capable products
E) With declining growth and stagnation, stood in the worst shape ever in USSR history
Answer: D
Explanation: Before restructuring decisions taken by Mikhail Gorbachev. As mentioned in the passage, the main issue was due to inefficiencies. The businesses were hiring more people rather than changing their business model to increase output. Business executives concentrated on using more resources to create more jobs. The nation didn't become more efficient. Instead, it produced low-quality goods that couldn't compete in a global market.
- Based upon the passage, the author would likely agree most with which of the following characterizations of the impact of the USSR's troubled economy during the days leading up to perestroika?
A) Cause for renewed determination in communist philosophy
B) Reason that natives looked increasingly to the West and capitalism
C) Source of frustration and discomfort among citizens that fueled social friction
D) Justification for the USSR's neglect of the needs of many citizens
E) Primary cause of the USSR's poor educational system
Answer: C
Explanation: The most pressing and visible problem facing the USSR in the last 1980s came in the form of the country’s consistently mediocre economic performance. Gorbachev openly acknowledged that economic failures were on the rise. Those present policies were failing to provide a long-term solution. The USSR depended on antiquated and ineffective business strategies. Social unrest and unhappiness were caused by the failing economy. Which only made matters worse and made society and the economy even more hopeless. Gorbachev highlighted the significant rise in "alcoholism, drug addiction, and crime" and spoke of "a gradual erosion of the ideological. Moral values of our people." The Communist regime frequently disregarded the demands of the common people, emphasising these problems and engendering mistrust and animosity. The poor educational system was maybe the most damaging aspect of the social breakdown and ineffective government reaction. These stoked turmoil and caused a moral decline in society.
- According to the passage, which of the following best describes the relationship between perestroika and the fall of the USSR?
A) Perestroika mildly delayed the fall of the USSR, although the decline of the Soviet Republic was inevitable
B) Perestroika hastened the decline of the USSR
C) Perestroika enabled the USSR to pursue much needed restructuring
D) Perestroika softened the impact from the collapse of the USSR
E) Perestroika had little relationship to the decline of the USSR, which was inevitable anyway
Answer: B
Explanation: Gorbachev also expressed his opinion on the public's rising scepticism about the claims made in the extensive government propaganda programmes. In the eyes of many observers, the USSR's collapse was almost inevitable given the depth of the country's economic underdevelopment and social deviance. Perestroika assisted to speed the fall of the USSR when paired with glasnost. Gorbachev's strategy that allowed for increased transparency. Perestroika guaranteed that the USSR would fall sooner rather than later, which was contrary to what it was meant to do. The USSR collapsed only a few years after Gorbachev made reforms that were inconceivable. At odds with the ideologies of earlier leaders like Lenin, Stalin, and Khrushchev.
- In the context of the passage, the author most likely uses the word "unthinkable" (in the last sentence) to help convey which of the following points about the changes Gorbachev implemented in perestroika?
A) They would have never crossed the mind of Lenin as being conceptually possible, let alone desirable or feasible
B) They would have been difficult for the mind of Lenin to comprehend intelligibly
C) They would have been seen by Lenin as undesirable and poor choices
D) They would have been seen by Lenin as incomprehensible yet appealing
E) They would have been considered highly desirable
Answer: C
Explanation: This meaning of the word "unthinkable" is appropriate given the context in which it is used. It is plausible to suppose that earlier leaders did not find Gorbachev's ideas attractive since they represented stark breaches with the past. Because of the way the USSR was previously run, perestroika economic and glasnost social policies were not implemented.
- Gorbachev offers all of the following as evidence of the need for perestroika EXCEPT:
A) Shortages in natural resources due to inefficiency
B) Declines in economic output and growth
C) Slides in moral values of citizens
D) Erosion of new and ingenious thinking
E) Frustrations with the results of past reform efforts
Answer: E
Explanation: Rule our option A and B as it is discussed in the first paragraph. In the lines “despite its vast natural resource wealth and large labour force. Gorbachev flatly admitted that economic failures were increasing and current policies were failing to offer a sustainable remedy.” Option C and D are discussed in the second paragraph. In the lines “Gorbachev wrote of "a gradual erosion of the ideological and moral values of our people." We are left with option E which is not mentioned in the passage. Hence the correct answer is option E.
- Which of the following words best describes the passage's tone?
A) Primarily Analytical
B) Highly Critical
C) Frustrated
D) Not Objective
E) Deeply Introspective
Answer: A
Explanation: "Primarily analytical" reflects the tone of the passage given its focus on analysing the causes of perestroika and its effects. The author explains perestroika throughout the entire passage. Arguments over its significance in the collapse of the USSR. Why Gorbachev thought it was necessary are also raised. The section adopts an analytical essay's style. Additionally, it seems like the author is being very neutral by avoiding personal assaults, derogatory terminology, etc. In favour of quotes from Gorbachev.
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