Practice Test: Reading Comprehension - 30 | 100 RCs for GMAT PDF Download

Snapshot: This inference question serves to introduce the “all of the following except” phraseology in Reading Comprehension. 

The effects of rituals on neighboring populations is not described in the second paragraph so choice C would be the most unlikely candidate for inclusion in an anthropological study in support of the author’s thesis. The influence of rituals on “the Tsembaga diet” (choice A), “the number of pigs owned” (choice B), “planting and harvest cycles” (choice D), or “type and function of weapons made” (choice E), all would be likely candidates for inclusion in such a report. 

Snapshot: This is essentially a “vocabulary” question and one which requires some verbal interpretation.

The terms “latent function” and “hidden function” are worthy substitutes. Although the author states that “the Tsembaga themselves see their rituals as pertaining less to their material relations with the ecosystem than to their spiritual relations with their ancestors,” this does not mean that such ritualsdo not for them perform other essential roles. The author brings up “latent function” to suggest there is “hidden benefit” in the use of ritual for the Tsembaga; these additional benefits are practical, not symbolic.

In choices A and B, the author is not pitting anthropologists and sociologists against one another, or for that matter, the study of anthropology and sociology. Nor is the author suggesting that the two sides work together as suggested by choice C. The author is also not concluding that anthropologists are more interested in the regulatory function of rituals than the psychological or symbolic importance of rituals (choice D), even though the former — regulatory functions of ritual — is the focus of this passage. Note that the use of the comparative word “more” (choices A and D) often creates out of scope answer choices. 

Snapshot: Make sure to read “the first sentence of the passage first then the last sentence of the passage next.” Sometimes the author concludes at the bottom of the passage.

The  major  theme  in  this  passage  is  that  rituals  are  not  only  used  by  the Tsembaga  society  in  a symbolic sense (that is, religiously, psychologically, or socially) but also in a practical or material way. Furthermore, these impacts or influences can be measured. Measurement is a key theme. Case in point: “they influence those relationships in measurable ways” (1st paragraph); “they enable cultural anthropologists to see that rituals can in fact produce measurable results in the external world” (2nd paragraph); and “newer quantitative studies permit anthropologists to analyze how ritual operates” (3rd paragraph). Choice D is a succinct rendition.

The passage does not suggest that anthropologists and ecologists collaborate for best results (choice A), even though the passage does suggest that anthropologists analyze ecological factors. Choice B is incorrect because the author does not criticize the symbolic role of rituals; he or she instead extends the  discussion  of  rituals  to  include  regulatory  functions  or  mechanisms.  The  last  sentence  of  the first  paragraph  makes  this  point:  “However,  recent  studies  of  the  Tsembaga,  a  society  of  nomadic agriculturalists  in  New  Guinea,  suggest  that  rituals  do  more  than  give  symbolic  expression  to  the relationships between a cultural group and components of its environment …”

The author does not evaluate theories of culture as indicated by choice C. His or her sole example is limited to the Tsembaga people. The author therefore does not prove that these studies show the measurable effects of rituals on other environments (per choice E).

Author’s note: The T-S-P drill for this passage? The topic of this passage is “rituals of the Tsembaga people.” The scope is the “symbolic and material aspects of rituals for the Tsembaga people.” The purpose is “to show that the benefits of rituals for the Tsembaga people are not only symbolic (spiritual) but also material (practical), and that these benefits can be measured.” 

Snapshot: This question is similar to an overview question but one which focuses on a specific subtopic within the passage. 

The first sentence of the second paragraph lists many ways that rituals act as regulating mechanisms. It is obvious therefore that “ritual is multifaceted and performs diverse functions.” Choice A is not incorrect per se, but rather it is incomplete. The author’s view that ritual does more than symbolize relationships  appears  in  the  last  sentence  of  the  first  paragraph:  “However,  recent  studies  of  the Tsembaga, a society of nomadic agriculturalists in New Guinea, suggest that rituals do more than give symbolic expression to the relationships between a cultural group and components of its environment; they influence those relationships in measurable ways.” Choice C is essentially opposite the author’s view. The choice would have been better had it read: “Rituals imbue the events of the spiritual (symbolic) world with material significance.” Choice D is also opposite in meaning. According to the last sentence of the passage (it’s a long one), the author implies that anthropologists are in a better position to understand a society’s culture than is the society itself. In choice E, we cannot confirm or negate this answer choice based on information presented in the passage. It is not clear whether the spiritual significance of ritual is deemed greater than the material benefits of ritual or whether the material benefits of ritual are deemed greater than the spiritual benefits of ritual.