There is a New Cell-Phone Ring Tone that can't be Heard by Most People GMAT Reading Comprehension

Reading passage question

Question: There is a new cell-phone ring tone that can't be heard by most people over the age of twenty, according to an NPR report. The tone is derived from something called the Mosquito, a device invented by a Welsh security firm for the noble purpose of driving hooligans, yobs, scamps, ne'er-do-wells, scapegraces, ruffians, tosspots, and bravos away from places where grownups are attempting to ply an honest trade. The device emits a seventeen-kilohertz buzz, a pitch that is too high for older ears to register but, as we learn from additional reporting by the Times, is "ear-splitting" for younger people. A person or persons unknown have produced a copy of the Mosquito buzz for use as a cell-phone ring tone, evidently with the idea that it will enable students to receive notification of new text messages while sitting in class, without the knowledge of the teacher.

The Times, in a welcome but highly uncharacteristic embrace of anarchy, celebrated this development as an ingenious guerrilla tactic in youth's eternal war against adult authority-"a bit of techno-jujitsu," as the paper put it. But it's not entirely clear which side is the winner here. When you hear the tone, it apparently sets your teeth on edge, which means that, if the entire class suddenly grimaces, it's a good bet that one of the students just got a text message. (Which probably says "sup." Youth, as George Bernard Shaw correctly observed, is wasted on the young.) Anyway, what was wrong with "vibrate only"?

“There is a new cell-phone ring tone that can't be heard by most people over the age of twenty, according to an NPR report.”- is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 3 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

Question 1
The primary purpose of the passage is to:

1. Criticize the obsession of today's youth with technology.
2. Encourage media outlets to support this new cell phone ring tone.
3. Describe the technical specs of this new ring tone.
4. Encourage further rebellion amongst today's youth.
5. Introduce a new ilk of technology and initiate a discussion of its true efficacy.

Question 2
Why is it important to note the "highly uncharacteristic embrace of anarchy" by the Times?

1. The deviation from the norm of the publication calls even more attention to the new technology by piquing readers' attention.
2. Such a prevalent publication's encouragement of anarchy could be perceived by the government as a serious threat.
3. It suggests that it is being used ironically by the Times to actually express disapproval.
4. It is likely an advertising ploy by the maker of the ring tone to gain sales.
5. Older adults need to be worried about the increasingly aggressive tactics of youth.

Question 3
What is the author trying to convey by describing young people as "hooligans, yobs, scamps, ne'er-do-wells, scapegraces, ruffians, tosspots, and bravos"?

1. The opinion that, whatever name you call them by, young people will continue to disturb business transactions.
2. An insulting tone implying the ignorance of youth.
3. That all young people can be generalized into one of these descriptive groups.
4. A sense of criticism on the part of older adults who feel patronizing toward young people.
5. Support for embracing jargon when communicating between people of a different generation

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