Practice Test: Reading Comprehension - 37 | 100 RCs for GMAT PDF Download

The question asks about the residents of 18th-century Massachusetts (1700s). Since the question itself is broad, the best approach is to evaluate the answer choices.

(A) This choice is incorrect because it describes Concord’s residents only, and during the 19th century (1800s).

(B) This choice is incorrect because it describes Concord’s residents only, and during the 19th century (1800s).

(C) CORRECT: The author notes that “Massachusetts inaugurated a new era of religious pluralism in 1834, ending two centuries of mandatory support for local churches”. Therefore, throughout the two centuries prior to 1834, Massachusetts residents were forced to support local churches.

(D) This choice is incorrect because “America’s Jubilee” was on “on April 19, 1825”, and the question asks specifically about 18th century (1700s) residents.

(E) This choice is incorrect because it describes Concord’s residents only, and during the 19th century (1800s).

The year 1834 is mentioned in the last paragraph, so the correct answer will probably relate to information contained there.

(A) This choice directly contradicts the passage: “Even as they pulled back from customary roles and withdrew into private associations, they continued to exercise public power”.

(B) This choice is incorrect because the author does not mention which group in particular was the stronger supporter of the religious pluralism; she only mentions that “a slim majority approved the change.”

(C) This choice incorrectly asserts that Concord’s village elite ceased all Sabbath worship. While they no longer worshiped at the same church on Sabbath, they did not necessarily cease all Sabbath worship.

(D) CORRECT: The last paragraph states that after 1834, “[t]ownspeople deserted the two existing churches–the Unitarian flock of the Reverend Ripley and an orthodox Calvinist congregation started in 1826–in droves.” Instead, many became active in “diverse projects for the common good.” In particular, "the village elite were remarkably active in these campaigns.” The passage thus suggests that the village elite abandoned the two existing churches in favor of non-church activities such as those mentioned: “libraries, lyceums, charitable and missionary groups, Masonic lodges, antislavery and temperance societies.”

(E) This choice claims that the elite used their wealth to found the diverse projects. While the passage mentions that the village elite “were remarkably active in these campaigns” there is no mention of whose private funds, if any, were used to found them.

The question asks for the purpose of the passage as a whole. Therefore, we must find a choice that accurately describes the passage in its entirety and does not focus on just one part of it.
(A) This choice incorrectly reverses the cause/effect relationship. The author claims that economic development resulted in personal autonomy. This choice, however, claims that religious and political freedom contributed to, or resulted in, economic development.
(B) This choice highlights the lifestyles of Concord’s elite citizens. While the passage mentions Concord’s upper class, in terms of their land ownerships and public power, it never describes their lifestyle per se.
(C) This choice, like choice A, incorrectly reverses the cause/effect relationship, claiming that social alienation was a requirement for economic and political development. According to the passage, it was the development that impacted societal norms, thereby causing a loosening of “common bonds”. Furthermore, the author never claims that social alienation was necessary for development; perhaps there was a better way.
(D) This choice incorrectly emphasizes Concord’s place in American history. The author only goes as far as to mention Concord’s preeminence in the local “Middlesex County”.
(E) CORRECT: The passage explains that “Concord was probably at its political and economic pinnacle” and then goes on to describe the impact on societal norms: “old work customs” and unified religious worship were replaced by a labor market and “voluntary choice”.