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For millennia, the Nile River flooded nearly every year as a natural consequence of heavy summer rains on the Ethiopian Plateau; in the last century, as the population in the region exploded, the cycle of flooding interspersed with periodic drought caused widespread suffering for the local population.  In the mid-1950s, the Egyptian government concluded that a significant dam was necessary to enable the country’s economic development to be on a par with that of Western nations.  The Aswan Dam would prevent the annual flooding, generate hydroelectric power and supply a steady source of water for residents and agricultural activities, though it would also have other, less positive effects.
By the 1970s, most Egyptian villages had electric power, and the dam provided approximately half of Egypt’s entire output of electricity.  The benefits were counteracted, however, by consequences which were sometimes slow to appear but ruinous in their long-term effects.  Dams prevent silt from flowing through to downstream lands.
The silt is essential for renewing the minerals and nutrients that make the land fertile; before the dam, the Nile floodplain was famously productive.  Farmers have had to substitute artificial fertilizers, reducing profits and causing pervasive chemical pollution with deleterious effects for the human, animal and plant populations living near or in the river.  It is difficult to draw definite conclusions about a project with such substantial and varied results, but it would be untenable to assert that the Egyptian government should never have built the Aswan Dam.
Q.
What is the significance of the author’s statement that the dam generated half of Egypt’s output of electricity by the 1970s?
  • a)
    It proves that Egypt no longer needed to rely on other sources of electricity.
  • b)
    It demonstrates the magnitude of the positive effects created by the dam.
  • c)
    It argues that the positive energy output is more important than any negative effects.
  • d)
    It shows that the dam fell short of initial expectations.
  • e)
    It contrasts the positive and negative effects of the dam.
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
For millennia, the Nile River flooded nearly every year as a natural c...
The question asks for the significance of the author’s statement about the quantity of electricity produced by the dam, not just for the significance of the fact that the dam generated electricity at all. The correct answer will have something to do with the author's desire to highlight the magnitude of this particular benefit of the dam.
(A) The passage does not comment on Egypt's other electricity needs (and, in fact, the passage tells us that the dam provided only half of the country's output, so Egypt did have other sources of electricity).
(B) CORRECT. The author quantified the output in order to demonstrate the magnitude of this particular benefit.
(C) Although the author concludes the passage by mildly indicating that the positive effects outweighed the negative, the only positive effect he mentions there is the lack of flooding. Moreover, he does not argue that any one effect of the dam is more “important” than any other effect.
(D) The passage did not provide or imply any expectations for the magnitude of the electricity output. 
(E) The sentence in question does not mention anything about negative effects, nor does it contrast the positive and negative effects. Although the second paragraph as a whole might be considered a contrast of the positive and negative effects of the dam, the author would not need to quantify the electricity output in order to make such a contrast. 
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For millennia, the Nile River flooded nearly every year as a natural consequence of heavy summer rains on the Ethiopian Plateau; in the last century, as the population in the region exploded, the cycle of flooding interspersed with periodic drought caused widespread suffering for the local population. In the mid-1950s, the Egyptian government concluded that a significant dam was necessary to enable the country’s economic development to be on a par with that of Western nations. The Aswan Dam would prevent the annual flooding, generate hydroelectric power and supply a steady source of water for residents and agricultural activities, though it would also have other, less positive effects.By the 1970s, most Egyptian villages had electric power, and the dam provided approximately half of Egypt’s entire output of electricity. The benefits were counteracted, however, by consequences which were sometimes slow to appear but ruinous in their long-term effects. Dams prevent silt from flowing through to downstream lands.The silt is essential for renewing the minerals and nutrients that make the land fertile; before the dam, the Nile floodplain was famously productive. Farmers have had to substitute artificial fertilizers, reducing profits and causing pervasive chemical pollution with deleterious effects for the human, animal and plant populations living near or in the river. It is difficult to draw definite conclusions about a project with such substantial and varied results, but it would be untenable to assert that the Egyptian government should never have built the Aswan Dam.Q.What is the significance of the author’s statement that the dam generated half of Egypt’s output of electricity by the 1970s?a)It proves that Egypt no longer needed to rely on other sources of electricity.b)It demonstrates the magnitude of the positive effects created by the dam.c)It argues that the positive energy output is more important than any negative effects.d)It shows that the dam fell short of initial expectations.e)It contrasts the positive and negative effects of the dam.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
For millennia, the Nile River flooded nearly every year as a natural consequence of heavy summer rains on the Ethiopian Plateau; in the last century, as the population in the region exploded, the cycle of flooding interspersed with periodic drought caused widespread suffering for the local population. In the mid-1950s, the Egyptian government concluded that a significant dam was necessary to enable the country’s economic development to be on a par with that of Western nations. The Aswan Dam would prevent the annual flooding, generate hydroelectric power and supply a steady source of water for residents and agricultural activities, though it would also have other, less positive effects.By the 1970s, most Egyptian villages had electric power, and the dam provided approximately half of Egypt’s entire output of electricity. The benefits were counteracted, however, by consequences which were sometimes slow to appear but ruinous in their long-term effects. Dams prevent silt from flowing through to downstream lands.The silt is essential for renewing the minerals and nutrients that make the land fertile; before the dam, the Nile floodplain was famously productive. Farmers have had to substitute artificial fertilizers, reducing profits and causing pervasive chemical pollution with deleterious effects for the human, animal and plant populations living near or in the river. It is difficult to draw definite conclusions about a project with such substantial and varied results, but it would be untenable to assert that the Egyptian government should never have built the Aswan Dam.Q.What is the significance of the author’s statement that the dam generated half of Egypt’s output of electricity by the 1970s?a)It proves that Egypt no longer needed to rely on other sources of electricity.b)It demonstrates the magnitude of the positive effects created by the dam.c)It argues that the positive energy output is more important than any negative effects.d)It shows that the dam fell short of initial expectations.e)It contrasts the positive and negative effects of the dam.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for GMAT 2024 is part of GMAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GMAT exam syllabus. Information about For millennia, the Nile River flooded nearly every year as a natural consequence of heavy summer rains on the Ethiopian Plateau; in the last century, as the population in the region exploded, the cycle of flooding interspersed with periodic drought caused widespread suffering for the local population. In the mid-1950s, the Egyptian government concluded that a significant dam was necessary to enable the country’s economic development to be on a par with that of Western nations. The Aswan Dam would prevent the annual flooding, generate hydroelectric power and supply a steady source of water for residents and agricultural activities, though it would also have other, less positive effects.By the 1970s, most Egyptian villages had electric power, and the dam provided approximately half of Egypt’s entire output of electricity. The benefits were counteracted, however, by consequences which were sometimes slow to appear but ruinous in their long-term effects. Dams prevent silt from flowing through to downstream lands.The silt is essential for renewing the minerals and nutrients that make the land fertile; before the dam, the Nile floodplain was famously productive. Farmers have had to substitute artificial fertilizers, reducing profits and causing pervasive chemical pollution with deleterious effects for the human, animal and plant populations living near or in the river. It is difficult to draw definite conclusions about a project with such substantial and varied results, but it would be untenable to assert that the Egyptian government should never have built the Aswan Dam.Q.What is the significance of the author’s statement that the dam generated half of Egypt’s output of electricity by the 1970s?a)It proves that Egypt no longer needed to rely on other sources of electricity.b)It demonstrates the magnitude of the positive effects created by the dam.c)It argues that the positive energy output is more important than any negative effects.d)It shows that the dam fell short of initial expectations.e)It contrasts the positive and negative effects of the dam.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GMAT 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for For millennia, the Nile River flooded nearly every year as a natural consequence of heavy summer rains on the Ethiopian Plateau; in the last century, as the population in the region exploded, the cycle of flooding interspersed with periodic drought caused widespread suffering for the local population. In the mid-1950s, the Egyptian government concluded that a significant dam was necessary to enable the country’s economic development to be on a par with that of Western nations. The Aswan Dam would prevent the annual flooding, generate hydroelectric power and supply a steady source of water for residents and agricultural activities, though it would also have other, less positive effects.By the 1970s, most Egyptian villages had electric power, and the dam provided approximately half of Egypt’s entire output of electricity. The benefits were counteracted, however, by consequences which were sometimes slow to appear but ruinous in their long-term effects. Dams prevent silt from flowing through to downstream lands.The silt is essential for renewing the minerals and nutrients that make the land fertile; before the dam, the Nile floodplain was famously productive. Farmers have had to substitute artificial fertilizers, reducing profits and causing pervasive chemical pollution with deleterious effects for the human, animal and plant populations living near or in the river. It is difficult to draw definite conclusions about a project with such substantial and varied results, but it would be untenable to assert that the Egyptian government should never have built the Aswan Dam.Q.What is the significance of the author’s statement that the dam generated half of Egypt’s output of electricity by the 1970s?a)It proves that Egypt no longer needed to rely on other sources of electricity.b)It demonstrates the magnitude of the positive effects created by the dam.c)It argues that the positive energy output is more important than any negative effects.d)It shows that the dam fell short of initial expectations.e)It contrasts the positive and negative effects of the dam.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for For millennia, the Nile River flooded nearly every year as a natural consequence of heavy summer rains on the Ethiopian Plateau; in the last century, as the population in the region exploded, the cycle of flooding interspersed with periodic drought caused widespread suffering for the local population. In the mid-1950s, the Egyptian government concluded that a significant dam was necessary to enable the country’s economic development to be on a par with that of Western nations. The Aswan Dam would prevent the annual flooding, generate hydroelectric power and supply a steady source of water for residents and agricultural activities, though it would also have other, less positive effects.By the 1970s, most Egyptian villages had electric power, and the dam provided approximately half of Egypt’s entire output of electricity. The benefits were counteracted, however, by consequences which were sometimes slow to appear but ruinous in their long-term effects. Dams prevent silt from flowing through to downstream lands.The silt is essential for renewing the minerals and nutrients that make the land fertile; before the dam, the Nile floodplain was famously productive. Farmers have had to substitute artificial fertilizers, reducing profits and causing pervasive chemical pollution with deleterious effects for the human, animal and plant populations living near or in the river. It is difficult to draw definite conclusions about a project with such substantial and varied results, but it would be untenable to assert that the Egyptian government should never have built the Aswan Dam.Q.What is the significance of the author’s statement that the dam generated half of Egypt’s output of electricity by the 1970s?a)It proves that Egypt no longer needed to rely on other sources of electricity.b)It demonstrates the magnitude of the positive effects created by the dam.c)It argues that the positive energy output is more important than any negative effects.d)It shows that the dam fell short of initial expectations.e)It contrasts the positive and negative effects of the dam.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for GMAT. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for GMAT Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of For millennia, the Nile River flooded nearly every year as a natural consequence of heavy summer rains on the Ethiopian Plateau; in the last century, as the population in the region exploded, the cycle of flooding interspersed with periodic drought caused widespread suffering for the local population. In the mid-1950s, the Egyptian government concluded that a significant dam was necessary to enable the country’s economic development to be on a par with that of Western nations. The Aswan Dam would prevent the annual flooding, generate hydroelectric power and supply a steady source of water for residents and agricultural activities, though it would also have other, less positive effects.By the 1970s, most Egyptian villages had electric power, and the dam provided approximately half of Egypt’s entire output of electricity. The benefits were counteracted, however, by consequences which were sometimes slow to appear but ruinous in their long-term effects. Dams prevent silt from flowing through to downstream lands.The silt is essential for renewing the minerals and nutrients that make the land fertile; before the dam, the Nile floodplain was famously productive. Farmers have had to substitute artificial fertilizers, reducing profits and causing pervasive chemical pollution with deleterious effects for the human, animal and plant populations living near or in the river. It is difficult to draw definite conclusions about a project with such substantial and varied results, but it would be untenable to assert that the Egyptian government should never have built the Aswan Dam.Q.What is the significance of the author’s statement that the dam generated half of Egypt’s output of electricity by the 1970s?a)It proves that Egypt no longer needed to rely on other sources of electricity.b)It demonstrates the magnitude of the positive effects created by the dam.c)It argues that the positive energy output is more important than any negative effects.d)It shows that the dam fell short of initial expectations.e)It contrasts the positive and negative effects of the dam.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of For millennia, the Nile River flooded nearly every year as a natural consequence of heavy summer rains on the Ethiopian Plateau; in the last century, as the population in the region exploded, the cycle of flooding interspersed with periodic drought caused widespread suffering for the local population. In the mid-1950s, the Egyptian government concluded that a significant dam was necessary to enable the country’s economic development to be on a par with that of Western nations. The Aswan Dam would prevent the annual flooding, generate hydroelectric power and supply a steady source of water for residents and agricultural activities, though it would also have other, less positive effects.By the 1970s, most Egyptian villages had electric power, and the dam provided approximately half of Egypt’s entire output of electricity. The benefits were counteracted, however, by consequences which were sometimes slow to appear but ruinous in their long-term effects. Dams prevent silt from flowing through to downstream lands.The silt is essential for renewing the minerals and nutrients that make the land fertile; before the dam, the Nile floodplain was famously productive. Farmers have had to substitute artificial fertilizers, reducing profits and causing pervasive chemical pollution with deleterious effects for the human, animal and plant populations living near or in the river. It is difficult to draw definite conclusions about a project with such substantial and varied results, but it would be untenable to assert that the Egyptian government should never have built the Aswan Dam.Q.What is the significance of the author’s statement that the dam generated half of Egypt’s output of electricity by the 1970s?a)It proves that Egypt no longer needed to rely on other sources of electricity.b)It demonstrates the magnitude of the positive effects created by the dam.c)It argues that the positive energy output is more important than any negative effects.d)It shows that the dam fell short of initial expectations.e)It contrasts the positive and negative effects of the dam.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for For millennia, the Nile River flooded nearly every year as a natural consequence of heavy summer rains on the Ethiopian Plateau; in the last century, as the population in the region exploded, the cycle of flooding interspersed with periodic drought caused widespread suffering for the local population. In the mid-1950s, the Egyptian government concluded that a significant dam was necessary to enable the country’s economic development to be on a par with that of Western nations. The Aswan Dam would prevent the annual flooding, generate hydroelectric power and supply a steady source of water for residents and agricultural activities, though it would also have other, less positive effects.By the 1970s, most Egyptian villages had electric power, and the dam provided approximately half of Egypt’s entire output of electricity. The benefits were counteracted, however, by consequences which were sometimes slow to appear but ruinous in their long-term effects. Dams prevent silt from flowing through to downstream lands.The silt is essential for renewing the minerals and nutrients that make the land fertile; before the dam, the Nile floodplain was famously productive. Farmers have had to substitute artificial fertilizers, reducing profits and causing pervasive chemical pollution with deleterious effects for the human, animal and plant populations living near or in the river. It is difficult to draw definite conclusions about a project with such substantial and varied results, but it would be untenable to assert that the Egyptian government should never have built the Aswan Dam.Q.What is the significance of the author’s statement that the dam generated half of Egypt’s output of electricity by the 1970s?a)It proves that Egypt no longer needed to rely on other sources of electricity.b)It demonstrates the magnitude of the positive effects created by the dam.c)It argues that the positive energy output is more important than any negative effects.d)It shows that the dam fell short of initial expectations.e)It contrasts the positive and negative effects of the dam.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of For millennia, the Nile River flooded nearly every year as a natural consequence of heavy summer rains on the Ethiopian Plateau; in the last century, as the population in the region exploded, the cycle of flooding interspersed with periodic drought caused widespread suffering for the local population. In the mid-1950s, the Egyptian government concluded that a significant dam was necessary to enable the country’s economic development to be on a par with that of Western nations. The Aswan Dam would prevent the annual flooding, generate hydroelectric power and supply a steady source of water for residents and agricultural activities, though it would also have other, less positive effects.By the 1970s, most Egyptian villages had electric power, and the dam provided approximately half of Egypt’s entire output of electricity. The benefits were counteracted, however, by consequences which were sometimes slow to appear but ruinous in their long-term effects. Dams prevent silt from flowing through to downstream lands.The silt is essential for renewing the minerals and nutrients that make the land fertile; before the dam, the Nile floodplain was famously productive. Farmers have had to substitute artificial fertilizers, reducing profits and causing pervasive chemical pollution with deleterious effects for the human, animal and plant populations living near or in the river. It is difficult to draw definite conclusions about a project with such substantial and varied results, but it would be untenable to assert that the Egyptian government should never have built the Aswan Dam.Q.What is the significance of the author’s statement that the dam generated half of Egypt’s output of electricity by the 1970s?a)It proves that Egypt no longer needed to rely on other sources of electricity.b)It demonstrates the magnitude of the positive effects created by the dam.c)It argues that the positive energy output is more important than any negative effects.d)It shows that the dam fell short of initial expectations.e)It contrasts the positive and negative effects of the dam.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice For millennia, the Nile River flooded nearly every year as a natural consequence of heavy summer rains on the Ethiopian Plateau; in the last century, as the population in the region exploded, the cycle of flooding interspersed with periodic drought caused widespread suffering for the local population. In the mid-1950s, the Egyptian government concluded that a significant dam was necessary to enable the country’s economic development to be on a par with that of Western nations. The Aswan Dam would prevent the annual flooding, generate hydroelectric power and supply a steady source of water for residents and agricultural activities, though it would also have other, less positive effects.By the 1970s, most Egyptian villages had electric power, and the dam provided approximately half of Egypt’s entire output of electricity. The benefits were counteracted, however, by consequences which were sometimes slow to appear but ruinous in their long-term effects. Dams prevent silt from flowing through to downstream lands.The silt is essential for renewing the minerals and nutrients that make the land fertile; before the dam, the Nile floodplain was famously productive. Farmers have had to substitute artificial fertilizers, reducing profits and causing pervasive chemical pollution with deleterious effects for the human, animal and plant populations living near or in the river. It is difficult to draw definite conclusions about a project with such substantial and varied results, but it would be untenable to assert that the Egyptian government should never have built the Aswan Dam.Q.What is the significance of the author’s statement that the dam generated half of Egypt’s output of electricity by the 1970s?a)It proves that Egypt no longer needed to rely on other sources of electricity.b)It demonstrates the magnitude of the positive effects created by the dam.c)It argues that the positive energy output is more important than any negative effects.d)It shows that the dam fell short of initial expectations.e)It contrasts the positive and negative effects of the dam.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice GMAT tests.
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