Reading Passage Question
The Constitution created a democratic republic, not a democracy. In a democracy, citizens vote directly on government policies, while in a republic, they elect representatives to develop policies on their behalf. Vestiges of democracy remain in America. They include the New England town meeting when residents directly vote on issues, such as whether the town should purchase a new police cruiser. The ballot initiative, also called the referendum, exists in over 40 states, allowing voters to make specific policies, such as whether a state should repeal its capital punishment law. Most laws in the United States today, however, are passed by representatives elected by the citizens. This system comprises the republic.
“The Constitution created a democratic republic, not a democracy.”- is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.
This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 5 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 would make the best title for this passage?
(A) What is the Ballot Initiative?
(B) Town Meetings, A New England Tradition
(C) No More Democracies!
(D) The American Democracy Is a Lie!
(E) America’s Democratic Republic System
Answer: E
Explanation: The paragraph discusses American democracy. It makes notice of details like the fact that America still has democratic vestiges. The New England town meeting is one of them, when locals actively decide on things like whether the town should buy a new police car. The majority of legislation in the US today are, however, passed by representatives chosen by the people. The republic is composed of this system. The title of the passage therefore best fits option E.
- According to the passage, New England town meetings operate under what political system?
(A) They are democracies.
(B) They are republics.
(C) They are republican democracies.
(D) They are representative democracies.
(E) They are representative republics.
Answer: A
Explanation: As stated in the passage, “Vestiges of democracy remain in America. They include the New England town meeting when residents directly vote on issues, such as whether the town should purchase a new police cruiser.”
- Which of the following best describes the role of the sentence [Highlighted] in the passage?
(A) It introduces the main idea.
(B) It is the conclusion.
(C) It is a part of a group of sentences listing examples to prove the main point of the passage.
(D) It turns the paragraph back to the main topic after a series of sentences that provided exceptions to the topic under discussion.
(E) It refutes the thesis of the passage.
Answer: D
Explanation: Choice (D) is best because the passage seeks to build an argument that America is a democratic republic. In order to do so fairly, several examples of a true democracy are offered. And the bolded sentence acknowledges them before turning the paragraph back to the topic.
- According to the passage, what is another term for “ballot initiative” and what kind of government is it an example of?
(A) Referral; Democracy
(B) Referendum; Democracy
(C) Rehabilitation; Democratic republic
(D) Rebuttal; Democracy
(E) Realignment; Republic
Answer: B
Explanation: As mentioned, there are ballot initiatives, also known as referendums. Which allow voters in more than 40 states to decide on specific issues. Such as whether to abolish a state's death penalty statute. But now, legislators chosen by the people of the country pass the majority of legislation. The republic is composed of this system.
- According to the passage, what would be another example of a democratic republic form of governing?
(A) An entire student body votes on the next school president.
(B) A CEO chooses the best candidate from several dozen applicants.
(C) The Board of Trustees, chosen by election, vote on the next steps for an insurance company.
(D) A group of people decide to choose a leader from within their ranks.
(E) The government decides who should lead the military.
Answer: C
Explanation: Individual citizens hold the swing of power in the Republic. In a democracy, the majority controls the making of legislation. The elected representatives of the people make legislation in the Republic system. In a democracy, the majority's wishes have the power to trump already established rights. Therefore, the finest example of a democratic republican system of government is option C.
Suggested GMAT Reading Comprehension Samples
- The Fact that Reducing Price can Generate A Competitive Advantage GMAT Reading Comprehension
- Five times as many workers may be needed to construct a power GMAT Reading Comprehension
- Modern Manufacturers, Who Need Reliable Sources of Materials GMAT Reading Comprehension
- Over 20% of the Annual Gross Domestic Product in the United States is the Result of Innovation GMAT Reading Comprehension
- A Product’s Design can be More valuable than the Product Itself GMAT Reading Comprehension
- After a Slow Start, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) GMAT Reading Comprehension
- A firm’s Default Risk, the Measurement of the Chances of the Event GMAT Reading Comprehension
- There is Hardly a Corporation that Does Not have a PR GMAT Reading Comprehension
- Transportation Developments have Greatly Influenced the Pace GMAT Reading Comprehension
- Adverse Selection may be Making Health Insurance Prohibitively Expensive GMAT Reading Comprehension
- As Technology Continues to Progress, New Avenues Open for the Implementation GMAT Reading Comprehension
- To Maximize Profits, An Employer Should Control his or her Environment GMAT Reading Comprehension
- Is it Possible to Decrease Inflation without Causing a Recession GMAT Reading Comprehension
- Contamination is the Unintended Presence of Harmful Substances GMAT Reading Comprehension
- The 1956 Short Film The Red Balloon Ends with the Young Protagonist Sailing Over Paris GMAT Reading Comprehension
- The Diversity of Species in Bacterial Communities is Often Studied by Phenotypic Characterization GMAT Reading Comprehension
- Despite views that globalization has reached its peak GMAT Reading Comprehension
- Five years after the crash in technology shares GMAT Reading Comprehension
- In the seventeenth-century Florentine textile industry women were employed GMAT Reading Comprehension
- To remain financially sound, health insurance companies must charge GMAT Reading Comprehension
Comments