Reading Comprehension

Friends, I came across this really hard RC passage. I was wondering how to read this passage and understand it eve in 5 minutes time -
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Without entering now into the why, let me observe that the printer may
always ascertain when the dash of the MS is properly and when
improperly employed, by bearing in mind that this point represents a
second thought⎯an emendation. In using it just above I have exemplified
its use. The words "•an emendation"– are, speaking with reference to
grammatical construction, put in apposition with the words "•a second
thought."– Having written these latter words, I reflected whether it would
not be possible to render their meaning more distinct by certain other
words.

Now, instead of erasing the phrase "•a second thought,"– which is of
some use⎯which partially conveys the idea intended⎯which advances me
a step toward my full purpose⎯I suffer it to remain, and merely put a
dash between it and the phrase "•an emendation."– The dash gives the
reader a choice between two, or among three or more expressions, one
of which may be more forcible than another, but all of which help out the
idea.

It stands, in general, for the words⎯"or, to make my meaning more
distinct." This force it has⎯and this force no other point can have; since
all other points have well-understood uses quite different from this.
Therefore, the dash cannot be dispensed with. It has its phases⎯its
variation of the force described; but the one principle⎯that of second
thought or emendation⎯will be found at the bottom of all. That
punctuation is important all agree; but how few comprehend the extent
of its importance!

The writer who neglects punctuation, or mis-punctuates, is liable to
be misunderstood⎯this, according to the popular idea, is the sum of the
evils arising from heedlessness or ignorance. It does not seem to be
known that, even where the sense is perfectly clear, a sentence may be
deprived of half its force⎯its spirit⎯its point⎯by improper punctuation. For
the want of merely a comma, it often occurs that an axiom appears a
paradox, or that a sarcasm is converted into a sermonoid. There is no
treatise on the topic⎯and there is no topic on which a treatise is more
needed.

There seems to exist a vulgar notion that the subject is one of pure
conventionality, and cannot be brought within the limits of intelligible and
consistent rule. And yet, if fairly looked in the face, the whole matter is
so plain that its rationale may be read as we run. If not anticipated, I
shall, hereafter, make an attempt at a magazine paper on "•The
Philosophy of Point."– In the meantime let me say a word more of the
dash.

Every writer for the press, who has any sense of the accurate, must
have been frequently mortified and vexed at the distortion of his
sentences by the printer's now general substitution of a semicolon, or
comma, for the dash in the MS. The total or nearly total disuse of the
latter point, has been brought about by the revulsion consequent upon its
excessive employment about twenty years ago. The Byronic poets were
all dash.

1. The passage indicates that if given the chance to respond to the following
claims, the author is LEAST likely to agree with which of the following
statements?
A. There is a single ideal way in which any thought can be expressed.
B. The rules of punctuation are simple and rational.
C. Punctuation helps to convey the writer's intended meaning and tone.
D. Most people do not understand the correct use of punctuation.
E. The full stop is superior to the comma


2. The author most likely mentions his intention to write an article entitled
"•The Philosophy of Point"– in order to:
A. remind the reader that grammar is a branch of philosophy.
B. indicate the possibility of explaining correct punctuation concisely.
C. furnish his own credentials as an expert on punctuation.
D. emend his statement about punctuation.
E. point out the similarity between punctuation and philosophy


3. According to the passage, which of the following is true of the relationship
between words or phrases separated by a dash?
A. Each word or phrase partially conveys the author's meaning.
B. The second word or phrase renders the first one superfluous.
C. The first word or phrase states the main topic, and the second states
the sub-topic.
D. The two words or phrases pertain to separate topics.
E. The dash can be easily replaced with a colon


Although i got 2 out of 3 questions right on this one ( in untimed conditions ) but it was a horrible time readiing the passage. Can anybody tell if this difficulty level passage will be comin in gmat exam. May be the last and the 4th one in case you are doign really good. Hence either one ( like mself ) can skip fast or move on with educated guess on these types atleast on 50 % questions.

What say ?

Hi Gaurav,

Predicting is difficult whether an RC with the difficulty level as this may come in the actual GMAT. If you're in the 99%tile range (760 - 800), you can get a tough RC.
But chances are less for such an RC coming up in the lower score band.

Hey, can you please post the QAs for the given questions?
I got
E
B
A
Took arnd 9-10 mins (Totally unacceptable for GMAT, i guess)