byRituparna Nath Content Writer at Study Abroad Exams
Reading Passage Question
The identification of femininity with morality and a belief in the innate moral superiority of women were fundamental to the cult of female domesticity in the nineteenth-century United States. Ironically, this ideology of female benevolence empowered women in the realm of social activism, enabling them to escape the confines of their traditional domestic spheres and to enter prisons, hospitals, battlefields, and slums. By following this path, some women came to wield considerable authority in the distribution of resources and services in their communities.
The sentimentalized concept of female benevolence bore little resemblance to women's actual work, which was decidedly unsentimental and businesslike, in that it involved chartering societies, raising money, and paying salaries. Moreover, in the face of legal limitations on their right to control money and property, women had to find ingenious legal ways to run and finance organized philanthropy. In contrast to the day-to-day reality of this work, the idealized image of female benevolence lent a sentimental and gracious aura of altruism to the very real authority and privilege that some women commanded—which explains why some women activists clung tenaciously to this ideology. But clinging to this ideology also prevented these women from even attempting to gain true political power because it implied a moral purity that precluded participation in the messy world of partisan politics.
“The Identification of Femininity With Morality and a Belief GMAT Reading Comprehension” - 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 questions and answers. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions check the candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.
Solution and Explanation
- According to the passage, the ideology of female benevolence was consistent with women taking part in each of the following spheres of activity EXCEPT
(A) organized philanthropy
(B) domestic life
(C) electoral politics
(D) fund-raising for worthy causes
(E) social work
Answer: C
Explanation: The last sentence of the paragraph provides the information- "But clinging to this ideology also prevented these women from even attempting to gain true political power". This line talks about political power and hence this implies C is correct.
- Information in the passage suggests that the author would be most likely to agree with which of the following statements concerning the cult of female domesticity?
(A) The cult of female domesticity developed independently of the concept of female benevolence.
(B) The cult of female domesticity was incompatible with women's participation in social activism.
(C) The cult of female domesticity incorporated ideological elements that actually helped some women to escape from their traditional domestic roles.
(D) The original motivation behind the promotion of the cult of female domesticity was to exclude women from partisan politics.
(E) The growth of organized philanthropy in the nineteenth-century United States is ultimately attributable to the cult of female domesticity.
Answer: C
Explanation: moral superiority of women were fundamental to the cult of female domesticity in the nineteenth-century United States. Ironically, this ideology of female benevolence empowered women in the realm of social activism. It enables them to escape the confines of their traditional domestic spheres.
- Which of the following best summarizes the main point of the passage?
(A) The identification of femininity with morality promoted the notion of women's moral purity while excluding women from positions of authority in their communities.
(B) The belief in women's innate moral superiority allowed women to exercise political power without participating in partisan politics.
(C) The cult of female domesticity helped some women to gain power and privilege but kept most women confined to the domestic sphere.
(D) The ideology of female benevolence empowered women in the realm of social activism but placed limits on their direct political power.
(E) The idealization of female altruism enabled women to engage in philanthropic activities but prevented them from managing money and property.
Answer: D - The ideology of female benevolence empowered women in the realm of social activism but placed limits on their direct political power.
Explanation: The author wants to illustrate that women started to gain power socially but did not enter the realm of politics. Hence option (D) is the right answer.
- It can be inferred from the passage that the author believes which of the following about women’s relationship to politics in the nineteenth-century United States?
(A) social activism was the best path to political power for women.
(B) had women wished to seek true political power they would have had to abandon the ideology of female benevolence.
(C) women’s desire for true political power was the primary cause of their eventual abandonment of the ideology of female benevolence.
(D) only women in positions of authority in their communities exercised political influence indirectly through men.
(E) most men believed that they were protecting women by excluding them from politics.
Answer: B - had women wished to seek true political power they would have had to abandon the ideology of female benevolence.
Explanation: Choice (C) implies that the women DID abandon the idealogy of female benevolence.
On the other hand, choice (B) describes a hypothetical situation: IF the women had wanted to seek true political power, then they would have needed to abandon the idealogy. Choice (B) does not suggest that they ACTUALLY abandoned the ideology.
B is correct option
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