byRituparna Nath Content Writer at Study Abroad Exams
Reading Passage Question
The institutions engaged in artistic or scientific activity are centrally concerned with the maintenance and extension of cultural systems. The growth of government patronage of these areas suggests that facilitation and production of culture has become a major state activity in the United States. The objectives underlying this state intervention are not well understood. The central purpose of this paper is to evaluate the relative strengths of several alternative explanations for the government’s involvement in the production of culture. A second purpose is to suggest the likely impact of government patronage on the physical sciences, social sciences, and arts in America.
Four distinct models for explaining the state’s growing interest in the production of culture can be identified. One model emphasizes the value of patronage for the maintenance of the cultural institutions in question. A second model stresses the utility of the investment for capital accumulation. A third model points toward the value of supporting science and art for the administration of government programs. The fourth model identifies the ideological potential of science and art as a primary reason for government patronage.
Science and art for their own sake. The first model of government patronage is predicated on the structural-functionalist assumption that the government is a relatively neutral instrument for the articulation and pursuit of collective goals in a society with relatively autonomous subsystems. Pure science and art are vital societal subsystems, and the government moves to protect and develop these areas to ensure the continued production of culture for the benefit of all members of society. Thus, the government intervenes directly as the final patron of public goods that would otherwise be unavailable.
Two important corollaries follow from this formulation, which makes it empirically testable. First, the timing of government intervention should primarily be related to economic crises faced by the arts and sciences themselves, not to crises in the political system, economy, or elsewhere. Second, government intervention should generally take the form of protecting the paradigm of the arts and sciences. Specifically, federal funding should be allocated to the most creative artists and organizations, as defined by the relevant artistic community. Similarly, funding should be preferentially bestowed on scientists whose research is making the greatest contribution to the advance of the scientific discipline, regardless of its relevance for outside problems or crises.
“The Institutions Engaged in Artistic or Scientific Activity are Centrally Concerned” - is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Nominees must have a firm understanding of English GMAT reading comprehension. There are 5 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
- Which of the following best summarizes the four culture production models mentioned in the passage?
(A) They are based on economic criteria.
(B) They explain why government should support cultural activities.
(C) They argue against government intervention.
(D) They are not well understood.
(E) They argue for a separation of government and the arts.
Answer: B
Explanation: In the second paragraph of the passage states the four distinct models for explaining the state’s growing interest in the production of culture. The first model highlights the value of patronage for the supervision of the cultural institution. The second model emphasizes the utility of the investment for capital accumulation. The third model points toward sustaining science and art for the administration of government programs. The fourth model identifies the unrealistic potential of science and art as a direct reason for government patronage. Hence optionm B is the correct choice.
- The main purpose of the passage is to
(A) increase appreciation for the arts
(B) provide an ideological basis for artistic funding
(C) explain why government supports cultural activities
(D) argue for more government support of the arts and sciences
(E) demonstrate cultural activities in the United States
Answer: C
Explanation: The author in the first paragraph states about his objective to provide alternative for the governments involvement in production of culture. The lines in the first passage “ The central purpose of this paper is to evaluate … arts in America” states the purpose. The impact of government patronage on the physical sciences, social sciences, and arts in America is also mentioned. Hence option C is the correct answer.
- A corollary of the science and art for government programs is
(A) funding should be provided by government only as a last resort
(B) funding will be geared to projects of value to the government
(C) funding is to be provided only to nongovernmental employees
(D) funding by the government is self-defeating
(E) funding by the government is inflationary
Answer: B
Explanation: The second paragraph states about the third model that supports this question. It states that the value of supporting science and art for the administration of government programs. Hence option B clearly states about the geared funding for the projects being valued by the government. Option B is the correct answer choice.
- A conclusion reached by the author of the passage is that
(A) the arts and sciences have been funded by the government for different reasons.
(B) government is a neutral observer of the arts and sciences.
(C) government intervention in the arts and sciences is declining.
(D) the arts and sciences are not dependent on government funding.
(E) politics and science go together.
Answer: A
Explanation: The author in the above given passage implies to show empirically how the government funds the arts and sciences. There is different reasons, as a consumer, as an influencer, and as a subsidized. Hence option A is the correct answer.
- The idea that government should support the arts and sciences only when the market does not provide enough funds belongs to which school?
(A) “their own sake”
(B) “business application”
(C) “government programs”
(D) “ideological control”
(E) all of the above
Answer: A
Explanation: The idea expressed the given passage states in the question about the “science and art for their own sake”. The sentence in the given passage “. . . the government intervenes directly… would otherwise be unavailable,” states the underlying fact. It determines that it is not purchased or supported by non-governmental or market forces. Hence option A is the correct answer.
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