Some Writers have so Confounded Society with Government, as to Leave Little GMAT Reading Comprehension

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Reading Passage Question

Some writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them, whereas they are not only entirely different, but have different origins. Society is a blessing brought forth naturally by our wants, uniting our affections and promoting our happiness. Government is a necessary evil originating from the need to restrain our vices.

Suppose a small number of persons represent the first peopling of any country, or of the world. In this state of natural liberty, a thousand motives will excite them to society: the strength of one is so unequal to his wants, and his mind so unfitted for perpetual solitude, that he is soon obliged to seek assistance and relief from another, who in turn requires the same. Considering the slavish times in which it developed, the form of government known as ―constitutional monarchy‖ is granted to have been a noble creation. When the world was overrun with tyranny, the least remove therefrom was a glorious rescue. However, government, if unchecked, evolves over time to a form so complex that a nation may suffer for years without being able to discover in which part the fault lies; and every political physician will advise a different medicine.

Four or five united in a society would be able to raise a dwelling, but one might labour out the period of life without accomplishing anything. Disease or misfortune could soon reduce an individual to a state in which he could easily perish. As time passes, however, in proportion as they surmount their early difficulties, the people will inevitably relax in their duty and attachment to each other; and this laxity will point out the necessity for each to surrender a part of his property in order to establish some form of government to protect the rest. Here then is the origin of government: the inability of moral virtue to govern the world; here, too, is the design and end of government: freedom and security.

And it unanswerably follows that whatever form of government which appears most likely to ensure the protection which constitutes government‘s essential purpose, with the least expense, is preferable to all others. As the community expands, public concerns will increase and the distance at which the members are separated may render it inconvenient for all to meet on every occasion. Thus the members may consent to leave the legislative part to be managed by a number of chosen representatives, who are supposed to have the same concerns as those who appointed them, and who will act in the same manner as the whole would, if present.

That the interest of every part of the colony may be attended to, the whole may be divided into convenient parts, each part sending its proper number. And so that there be assured a common interest with every part of the community, on which the strength of government depends, prudence will point to the need for frequent elections, thereby assuring that the elected return and mix often with the community.

“Some Writers have so Confounded Society with Government, as to Leave Little” - is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Nominees must have a firm understanding on English GMAT reading comprehension. There are 3 comprehension questions in this GMAT Reading Comprehension section. GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are conducted to examine candidates' skills to decipher, interpret, and utilize knowledge or ideas. Candidates can actively prepare by answering GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Solutions and Explanation

  1. As evidenced by the arguments posed by the author in each paragraph, the primary purpose of the passage is to:
  1. chronicle the development of a particular form of government.
  2. advocate a simple form of representative government.
  3. contrast society and government.
  4. distinguish representative government from constitutional monarchy.
  5. criticise all forms of government as an unnecessary burden on people

Answer: B
Explanation: The passage's summary as one reads it is as follows: The formation of society (S) and government (G) is shown in paragraph 1. After describing how society develops in Paragraph 2, the "need" for establishing a government is then stated. The example in paragraph three demonstrates how social interactions determine the functions and duties of "government." Limitations of Government and establishment of Small Groups are stated in Paragraph 4, and Different Parties -> Send Members -> Election -> Government is stated in Paragraph 5. Summary thus is that the author begins with S VS. G but goes on to describe how S aids in the formation of a government. More emphasis is placed on R&R of G. And the role that representation and elections have in creating G. According to this summary, option A, chronicle the development of a particular form of government, option C, contrast society and government, option D. distinguish representative government from constitutional monarchy and option E. criticise all forms of government as an unnecessary burden on people seems incorrect, thus option B, advocate a simple form of representative government is the correct one.

  1. The author concluded in the passage that the essential purpose of government is protection of property. In doing so the author assumes that:
  1. there actually existed a time in which the disparity between an individual‘s needs and wants motivated cooperation, and not transgressions against property.
  2. the part of property surrendered to establish some form of government is less than that which would be lost if it were left unprotected.
  3. III. the moral laxity resulting from reduction in hardship results in acts against property, rather than failure to assist those experiencing disease or misfortune.
  1. I, II, and III
  2. II and III only
  3. I and II only
  4. I and III only
  5. II only

Answer: D
Explanation: The question reflects on the outcome. The primary function of government is to protect property and we need to find an option that fits correct for the question. Let's examine each choice. Option I refers to Paragraph 2: According to Opinion I, there was once a time when the gap between a person's needs and wants promoted collaboration rather than crimes against property. To put it simply, when we have total freedom, we want to do a lot of (positive) things for our society. When we have freedom, our minds don't need solitude or loneliness; instead, we want to get together with a small group of people and ask for help from/support one another. Option II: The portion of the property that is given up to create a system of government is less than the amount that would be lost if it weren't protected. The people's duty and attachment to one another will inevitably wane over time, proportionate to how well they overcome their initial challenges. This warning will highlight the necessity for each person to give up some of his property in order to create a system of government that will protect the remaining property. Because moral virtue cannot rule the world, this is where government originated. Freedom and security are also where the government is intended to lead. Option III: Rather than failing to help individuals who are ill or unfortunate, moral laxity brought on by a lessening in hardship leads to acts against property. As a result, choice III serves as an underlying presumption for the conclusion. Answer D if we combine all of these; just I and III

  1. It can be inferred from the passage that its author would most probably respond to the view that the resources of government should be employed to relieve the effects of poverty by stating that:
  1. since the strength of an individual must be recognized to, at times, be unequal to his needs, it is natural for the government, once it has evolved, to perform such functions.
  2. These activities should be performed by individuals or associations outside of government.
  3. since poverty is correlated with crime against property, the government must perform these functions if non-governmental efforts are not fully effective.
  4. this should be decided by the representatives elected by the people as a whole.
  5. relieving poverty would be impossible unless efforts were taken to reduce illiteracy

Answer: B
Explanation: Speculate on the author's perspective on the following claim: The author is opposed to adding new functions to government because they feel that it should be kept as simple as possible and that its only legitimate function is to protect property. Finding (B), which reiterates the notion that government should limit itself to safeguarding property, when looking for an answer choice that reflects this, comes to light. Option (A) is contrary. Although the passage's elaborate wording has been used to disguise the notion, it is misapplied in this context since the author believes that government doing this obligation is not inherently right. For the time being, Option (B) looks like The right response Out of Scope (C). Nothing in the sentence indicates that the author thinks there is a correlation, hence it cannot be assumed that the author thinks this is a sound theory. Option D is the opposite. The author does make the case that representatives should make decisions, but he also thinks that this should take place in a small government that simply exists to safeguard property. In option (E): "Illiteracy" is not covered

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