Critical Analysis & Reasoning Skills Practice Questions: 11 | Critical Analysis & Reasoning Skills for MCAT PDF Download

Fifty years ago, the concept of a "megacity" referred only to New York City, with a population exceeding 10 million. Nowadays, there are over 40 megacities, primarily in less developed nations, and the number is expected to increase further by 2020. This trend has led experts to dub the 21st century as "the urban century," as more people globally reside in cities compared to rural areas. This significant shift in population distribution has profound implications that are yet to be fully analyzed.

While some cities have experienced growth due to immigration, most megacities have expanded through internal migration within the country. China serves as an example, where approximately 150 million rural residents have migrated to urban areas in the past decade. In many cases, cities offer the only employment opportunities in the global economy, leading to the rapid growth of megacities like Mumbai, Lagos, Karachi, Dhaka, and Jakarta.

Previously, large cities were predominantly found in developed nations. However, the largest cities are now emerging in less-developed regions of South America, Africa, and Asia. This places immense strain on the already limited infrastructure of these economically disadvantaged cities, with services pushed to their limits. Slums and shantytowns proliferate on the outskirts, while the vulnerable workers face challenges with corrupt officials or urban gangs. Moreover, the rural areas left behind experience a dire shortage of agricultural labor, not only in China but also in other parts of Asia and Africa.

According to UN statistics, by 2030, more than 60 percent of the global population is projected to be living in urban areas, compared to 30 percent in 1950. Unlike developed nations where population growth has stabilized, the high birth rates in less-developed nations sustain the expansion of cities even as rural-urban migration slows. While cities like New York have reached population stability, megacities in Asia and Africa, such as Mumbai and Lagos, continue to experience rapid growth.

The implications of megacity growth in the 21st century are difficult to envision. Demographers anticipate challenges such as ecological strain, homelessness, traffic congestion, and overburdened infrastructure. Contrary to the notion that industrial jobs improve the well-being of workers, megacities exacerbate the divide between the rich and poor, with impoverished populations concentrating in the city outskirts while the affluent isolate themselves behind walls and in towering structures.
Q.1. The main argument of the passage is that:
(a) megacities are more often found in less-developed nations but strain the resources of developed nations.
(b) the growthin population and number ofmegacitiesmeans foreseeable changes, many of them negative.
(c) the movement of population bases from rural to urban locations decimates the countryside and limits our ability to grow food.
(d) we must begin to fight back against the growth of megacities in the lessdeveloped nations of the world.

Correct Answer is Option (b)
The passage discusses the significant increase in the number of megacities and the shift of global population from rural to urban areas. It highlights the potential negative implications of this trend, such as ecological strain, homelessness, traffic congestion, and overburdened infrastructure. The passage does not advocate for fighting back against the growth of megacities or present the movement of population bases as decimating the countryside. Therefore, option B accurately represents the main argument of the passage.

Q.2. The passage suggests that demographers:
(a) have not been able to keep pace with the growth of cities.
(b) focus primarily on population trends in the developing world.
(c) are observing the growth of the world’s cities with concern.
(d) work hand in hand with the UN to plan for the future.

Correct Answer is Option (c)
The passage mentions that demographers foresee challenges like ecological overload, homelessness, uncontrolled traffic, and strained infrastructure due to the growth of megacities. This suggests that demographers are observing the growth of the world's cities with concern.

Q.3. The author’s use of UN statistics helps:
(a) strengthen her argument that urbanization is radically changing the world.
(b) contradict demographers’ claims about megacities and their effects.
(c) indicate that the results of urbanization include poverty and crime.
(d) complement her assertion that birth rate is the main reason for urban growth.

Correct Answer is Option (a)
The author uses UN statistics to support the claim that by 2030, more than 60 percent of the global population will be living in urban areas, highlighting the radical change caused by urbanization. Option A accurately describes how the use of UN statistics strengthens the argument.

Q.4. According to this passage, why might skyscrapers be a sign of divisiveness?
(a) They cost too much to build.
(b) They are found only in developed nations.
(c) They separate rich from poor.
(d) They house businesses, not people.

Correct Answer is Option (c)
The passage mentions that megacities create a deeper division between the rich and poor, with the poor concentrating in the outskirts of town while the rich barricade themselves behind walls and in towers. This suggests that skyscrapers can be a sign of divisiveness as they physically separate the wealthy from the less privileged

Q.5. Which new information, if true, might CHALLENGE the author’s contention that cities will continue to grow despite a slowing of migration from the countryside?
(a) Scientists are creating new strains of rice and wheat that require far less in the way of hands-on care.
(b) The number of people living below the poverty level will climbin less-developed and developed nations.
(c) Inflationary trends in heating oil and gasoline prices will limit most people’s discretionary spending. 
(d) New methods of birth control will limit the population explosion in the developing world.

Correct Answer is Option (d)
The author argues that cities will continue to grow even as rural-urban migration slows due to high birth rates in less-developed nations. If new methods of birth control are introduced and effectively limit the population explosion in the developing world, it would challenge the author's contention that cities will continue to grow. Option D presents new information that can potentially counter the author's claim.