RC 99 passage 39

This topic has expert replies
Legendary Member
Posts: 586
Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 4:38 am
Thanked: 31 times
Followed by:5 members
GMAT Score:730

RC 99 passage 39

by rohu27 » Wed Apr 13, 2011 6:46 am
Pelase track time too.
Looking for explanation of one particular question, will let you knw after few replies.

Few ideas are more deeply entrenched in our political culture than that of
impending ecological doom. Beginning in 1962, when Rachel Carson
warned that pollution was a threat to all human and animal life on the
planet, pessimistic appraisals of the health of the environment have been
issued with increasing urgency.

And yet, thanks in large part to her warnings, a powerful political
movement was born and a series of landmark environmental bills became
law. These laws and their equivalents in Western Europe, along with a
vast array of private efforts spurred by environmental consciousness that
Carson helped raise, have been a stunning success in both the United
States and Europe where environmental trends are, for the most part,
positive; and environmental regulations, far from being burdensome and
expensive, have proved to be strikingly effective, have cost less than was
anticipated, and have made the economies of the countries that have put
them into effect stronger, not weaker.

Recycling, which was a fringe idea a decade ago, is now a major
growth industry, and is converting more than twenty per cent of
America's municipal wastes into useful products. Emissions of
chlorofluorocarbons, which deplete the ozone layer, have been declining
since 1987. Dozens of American cities once dumped raw sludge into the
ocean. Today, instead of being dumped into the ocean, municipal sludge
is either disposed of in regulated landfills or, increasingly, put to good use
as fertilizer.

America's record of protecting species threatened with extinction,
which is often depicted as dismal, is in truth enviable. Since 1973, when
the Endangered Species Act took effect, seven animal species in North
America have disappeared. Several hundred others once considered
certain to die out continue to exist in the wild. A number of species,
including the bald eagle and the Arctic peregrine falcon have been or are
being taken off the priority-protection list.

It's true, of course, that some environmental programs are muddled.
For instance, the Endangered Species Act can have the unfair effect of
penalizing landholders who discover rare creatures on their property, by
prohibiting use of the land. In the main, though, conservation has been
an excellent investment. Thanks to legislation, technical advances, and
lawsuits that have forced polluters to pay liability costs, America's air and
water are getting cleaner, forests are expanding, and many other
environmental indicators are on the upswing.

Nevertheless, the vocabulary of environmentalism has continued to be
dominated by images of futility, crisis, and decline. Nor are
environmentalists the only people reluctant to acknowledge the good
news; advocates at both ends of the political spectrum, each side for its
reasons, seem to have tacitly agreed to play it down. The left is afraid of
the environmental good news because it undercuts stylish pessimism; the
right is afraid of the good news because it shows that governmental
regulations might occasionally amount to something other than
wickedness incarnate, and actually produce benefits at an affordable cost.

1. Which of the following statements is false as it pertains to the information
given in the passage?
A. Chlorofluorocarbons no longer damage the ozone layer.
B. Technical advances have contributed to conservation.
C. Raw sludge is no longer a source of ocean pollution for the United
States.
D. Recycling has had an impact on landfill dumping.
E. Some environmental programs are muddled

2. Based on information in the passage, each of the following statements is a
plausible explanation of why pessimistic appraisals of the environment
continue to be issued EXCEPT:
A. environmentalists and politicians are unaware of the successes of the
movement.
B. an immense amount of work still needs to be done to save the
environment.
C. optimistic evaluations would have unwanted political repercussions.
D. environmentalists garner support by arousing concerns and fears.
E. selfish interests of certain groups of people

3. If the claims made in the passage are correct, how would politicians on the
political right be expected to react to America's program to protect
endangered species from extinction?
A. They would extol it because its success is not attributable to
governmental regulation.
B. They would extol it because its success refutes the pessimistic claims
of the political left.
C. They would criticize it because its success was due to costly
regulations.
D. They would criticize it because it has not shown any measurable
success.
E. They would be indifferent towards it

4. What is the main function of the 3rd paragraph in the passage?
A. to criticise industry for increased pollution
B. to urge the government to ban the dumping of effluents in rivers
C. to suggest that things are not bad as are made out to be by certain
groups of people
D. to describe the positive impact of efforts to control environmental
degradation
E. to provide an agenda for pollution control

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 1035
Joined: Fri Dec 17, 2010 11:13 am
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Thanked: 474 times
Followed by:365 members

by VivianKerr » Wed Apr 13, 2011 9:28 am
You posted the passage, but no notes. Make sure to create a detailed passage map for each GMAT passage and properly rephrase each question and make a prediction. The only way to Beat RC is by being thorough. :)

PASSAGE MAP:

Topic - the idea of ecological doom
Scope - its development

1st P - to introduce that "doom idea" developed w/Carson ("increasing urgency")
2nd P - to show good results from Carson's book (political movement + laws "stunning success")
3rd P - to describe recycling developments ("major growth")
4th P - to praise America's protection of endangered species (++)
5th P - to concede that there ARE some problems but reiterate benefits
6th P - to reinforce fact that despite progress, "doom idea" continues

Author's POV - "doom idea" is (-); environmental progress is (+)
Overall Purpose - to explain that "doom idea" persists despite progress

QUESTION 1
Rephrase - "What's not true?"

This is a detail question. You'll need to go back to the passage to eliminate details from the passage.

A - CORRECT. This is false. The passage states their emissions are "declining" but to say "no longer" is extreme.
B - Eliminate. This is supported by the discussion of recycling.
C - Eliminate. Supported by the 3rd paragraph.
D - Eliminate. Supported by the 3rd paragraph.
E - Eliminate. Supported by 1st sentence of 5th paragraph.

QUESTION 2
Rephrase - "Which is NOT a plausible reason for the "doom idea"?"
Prediction - This is an Inference question because of the word "plausible." Start by elminating the details from the passage which gives the reasons of: Carson's book, reluctant environmentalists, the left and the right is afraid, etc.

A - CORRECT. "Tacitly agreed to play it down" implies they are not "unaware."
B - Eliminate. This is plausible.
C - Eliminate. Supported by final paragraph.
D - Eliminate. Supported by 2nd paragraph.
E - Eliminate. Supported by final paragraph.

QUESTION 3
Rephrase - "What does the passage say about the right?"
Prediction - In the final paragraph, it states the right "is afraid of the good news because it shows that governmental regulations might occasionally amount to something...produce benefits at an affordable cost."

A - Eliminate. The Endagered Species Act is regulatory.
B - Eliminate. There is nothing to indicate the right would support the successes of the program.
C - CORRECT. This describes the author's criticisms.
D - Eliminate. It HAS shown success.
E - Eliminate. The right is described as disliking regulation.

QUESTION 4
Rephrase - "What's the function of p.3?"
Prediction - We can go straight back to our Passage Map for this one: 3rd P - to describe recycling developments ("major growth"); we need a Positive choice. This is between C and D. I would choose D.

A - Eliminate. Negative.
B - Eliminate. Too specific.
C - Eliminate. This seems to fit the overall purpose, but no specific commentary is offered in this paragraph about "certain groups of people."
D - CORRECT. This relates most specifically to the individual paragraph.
E - Eliminate. No specific agenda is mentioned.
Vivian Kerr
GMAT Rockstar, Tutor
https://www.GMATrockstar.com
https://www.yelp.com/biz/gmat-rockstar-los-angeles

Former Kaplan and Grockit instructor, freelance GMAT content creator, now offering affordable, effective, Skype-tutoring for the GMAT at $150/hr. Contact: [email protected]

Thank you for all the "thanks" and "follows"! :-)

Legendary Member
Posts: 586
Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 4:38 am
Thanked: 31 times
Followed by:5 members
GMAT Score:730

by rohu27 » Thu Apr 14, 2011 4:00 am
thanks Vivian. i was not sure of Q 3 but your notes made it clear. Thanks once again.

Legendary Member
Posts: 857
Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2010 1:36 am
Thanked: 56 times
Followed by:15 members

by AIM GMAT » Sun Apr 17, 2011 9:40 am
IMO ABCD .

Time taken 5:10 . Q2 again stuck between 2 choices and selectd the wrong one . Anyways now its clear why i chose wrong one . :(

Thanks Vivian for the detailed analysis .

I tried this one without taking notes as i though i did it long time back so i might be remembering something , frankly i didnt remember but it feels quite handicapped to solve without notes .
Thanks & Regards,
AIM GMAT

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 582
Joined: Tue Mar 08, 2011 12:48 am
Thanked: 61 times
Followed by:6 members
GMAT Score:740

by force5 » Sun Apr 17, 2011 12:16 pm
Hi Vivian I'm not great at reading (in general) but can manage. tried making a map this time and got 3 correct but took me approx 12 mints to do 4 questions. Well i am not sure what to do because i won't have that much time (12 mints) on the real test. Making the notes really takes a lot of time.

what do you suggest is the best way to increase your score on RC? or is it not possible at all if you are not a good reader.

i know it might sound embarrassing for me, But for the last so many years all i have been reading is mails. You can read contracts and brochures easily but when it comes to RC i don't know why it takes time.

@AIM how did u manage in 5 mints? I'm really feeling low and sad.

Legendary Member
Posts: 586
Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 4:38 am
Thanked: 31 times
Followed by:5 members
GMAT Score:730

by rohu27 » Sun Apr 17, 2011 5:55 pm
force5 wrote:Hi Vivian I'm not great at reading (in general) but can manage. tried making a map this time and got 3 correct but took me approx 12 mints to do 4 questions. Well i am not sure what to do because i won't have that much time (12 mints) on the real test. Making the notes really takes a lot of time.

what do you suggest is the best way to increase your score on RC? or is it not possible at all if you are not a good reader.

i know it might sound embarrassing for me, But for the last so many years all i have been reading is mails. You can read contracts and brochures easily but when it comes to RC i don't know why it takes time.

@AIM how did u manage in 5 mints? I'm really feeling low and sad.
force5,
i can totally echo with your feelings, i myself havent done much reading for the past few years. but who says we cant nail RC. we sure can :D
coming to the point, this passage is from medium difficulty from rc 99, i took around 11 minutes to do it, got 3 correct. there are few medium level passges from rc which i nail dwn in 5,6,7,10,12 minutes. so it actaully depends on the passage IMO. and once you are used to seeing such weird (read passages) it becomes easy for you, and teh time im sure will come down. u need to practice though. get rc 99 i would suggest, if not yet done.

as per passage notes, Vivian and AIM can help out better.
anyone hearing?

cheers,

Legendary Member
Posts: 857
Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2010 1:36 am
Thanked: 56 times
Followed by:15 members

by AIM GMAT » Sun Apr 17, 2011 10:36 pm
Yeah i totally agree with rohu , the day to day reading is diffrent from the GMAT reading type . We need to keep mind under certain frame to pull out what is required from passage . This can be done by reading more and more GMAT like passages .Timing will certainly improve with practice . Dn't be disheartened , nothing diffrent is happening , mostly i would say not all , go through the same issue when it comes to RC .Make notes , don't dig in too deep for small details and have a passage map so that you can locate the details question if asked and can pin down to the specific para .
Thanks & Regards,
AIM GMAT

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 574
Joined: Sat Oct 31, 2009 1:47 pm
Location: USA
Thanked: 29 times
Followed by:5 members

by Target2009 » Mon Apr 18, 2011 7:08 am
Am also in line With you Guys.. Long fighting with RC with with very little result.
Vivian "to + XYZ" method is great but when i reach para's , almost every time I am not able to figure out what to write for "XYZ".
RC99 ..discourage a more than any other source. for many reasons.
1. Loooooongg passages with 6-7 paras.
2. Disconnected Paras. Almost all para seems to have no connection with previous para.
3. Very difficult with never heard words.
4. Almost all questions have to be paraphrased to sounds like GMAT question.

I am doing okay (good success rate but take 8-10 min for 3-4 question para) with other sources like MasterGMat, Veritas, Grockit even in LSAT but RC99 pull me down like any thing .
Hopefully I will be able to manage some day.
Regards
Abhishek
------------------------------
MasterGmat Student

Legendary Member
Posts: 586
Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 4:38 am
Thanked: 31 times
Followed by:5 members
GMAT Score:730

by rohu27 » Mon Apr 18, 2011 9:02 am
RC 99 IMO has a *few* answers which i can term debatable at best. though im no expert at RC, it sometimes uses one technique and the next time you use it, says its wrong. their forums havent been of much help too. but still im satisfied.
Abhishek,
u have used all the materail :D
i agree wth you, i havent done much of LSAT passages but my accuracy there is sometimes more than RC 99 - dnt know why.
also if you havent read yet, thrs an interesting discussion once happened between Ron and aristotle team, can chk in their forums. i loved it :D
insipite of all this, i still love doing RC 99, only time can tell its effect(hopefully good ;))

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 574
Joined: Sat Oct 31, 2009 1:47 pm
Location: USA
Thanked: 29 times
Followed by:5 members

by Target2009 » Mon Apr 18, 2011 9:12 am
rohu27 wrote:also if you havent read yet, thrs an interesting discussion once happened between Ron and aristotle team, can chk in their forums. i loved it :D
insipite of all this, i still love doing RC 99, only time can tell its effect(hopefully good ;))
Yeah .. I did participated in that discussion with Ron. I do RC99 to prepare for worst, I don't think we can get anything more complicated than RC99 passage. :).
Regards
Abhishek
------------------------------
MasterGmat Student

Legendary Member
Posts: 857
Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2010 1:36 am
Thanked: 56 times
Followed by:15 members

by AIM GMAT » Mon Apr 18, 2011 9:20 am
Target2009 wrote:
rohu27 wrote:also if you havent read yet, thrs an interesting discussion once happened between Ron and aristotle team, can chk in their forums. i loved it :D
insipite of all this, i still love doing RC 99, only time can tell its effect(hopefully good ;))
Yeah .. I did participated in that discussion with Ron. I do RC99 to prepare for worst, I don't think we can get anything more complicated than RC99 passage. :).
Agree with you guys ... lets give RC a good fight . And hope that GMAT doesnt give anything tougher than RC99 on THE DAY .Some passages keep the clock ticking and answer comes out something else , its sometimes very annoying .Lets keep RC Forum alive with active discussions , i agree even i am a bit reluctant to visit RC section :) .
Thanks & Regards,
AIM GMAT

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 582
Joined: Tue Mar 08, 2011 12:48 am
Thanked: 61 times
Followed by:6 members
GMAT Score:740

by force5 » Mon Apr 18, 2011 3:14 pm
guys you have all given suggestions like great friends. I am really happy to be a part of this circle. Yes we shall give it a fight and help each other. please keep updating anything new.

lets post couple of passages everyday and discuss. its going to be a good interactive session and im sure will be helpful.

what say??

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 574
Joined: Sat Oct 31, 2009 1:47 pm
Location: USA
Thanked: 29 times
Followed by:5 members

by Target2009 » Mon Apr 18, 2011 5:04 pm
force5 wrote:lets post couple of passages everyday and discuss. its going to be a good interactive session and im sure will be helpful.
what say??
Exactly.... We all must post our Note, time taken, how we reach to answer of each question and what made us elimination of wrong choices. May be the way Vivan posted here.

We all must be using different material for our preparation. So lets post couple of question form each prep course and initiate interactive sessions.
Regards
Abhishek
------------------------------
MasterGmat Student

Legendary Member
Posts: 857
Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2010 1:36 am
Thanked: 56 times
Followed by:15 members

by AIM GMAT » Mon Apr 18, 2011 10:18 pm
Target2009 wrote:
force5 wrote:lets post couple of passages everyday and discuss. its going to be a good interactive session and im sure will be helpful.
what say??
Exactly.... We all must post our Note, time taken, how we reach to answer of each question and what made us elimination of wrong choices. May be the way Vivan posted here.

We all must be using different material for our preparation. So lets post couple of question form each prep course and initiate interactive sessions.
Agreed guys , i am with you .
Thanks & Regards,
AIM GMAT

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 582
Joined: Tue Mar 08, 2011 12:48 am
Thanked: 61 times
Followed by:6 members
GMAT Score:740

by force5 » Tue Apr 19, 2011 7:30 am
great guys lets start then... post one RC a day and lets spread it....

Lets keep the subject as "RC_Group_(that day's date).


All the best....