Practice Test: Reading Comprehension - 47 | 100 RCs for GMAT PDF Download

The passage gives the following as examples of "language from the center" (lines 33-39): "he directs rather than responds; he makes statements rather than asks questions; he contradicts, argues, and disagrees; he uses his experience persuasively; and he maintains an air of impersonality in the workplace."

(A) Requesting help does not fit into any of the above examples.
(B) CORRECT: Explaining the benefits of a new procedure by drawing on the procedure's success in another setting is an example of "He uses his experience persuasively.".
(C) Believing that one has been wrongly criticized does not fit the bill of contradicting, arguing, or disagreeing.
(D) A manager soliciting opinions from his workforce does not fit into any of the above examples.
(E) Refusing to alter one's behavior is not an example of contradicting, arguing, or disagreeing.

McGinty's overall message is that the powerful leaders need to be able to use both types of language, "from the center" and "from the edge," as necessary.
(A) This choice contradicts the last sentence of the third paragraph: "McGinty argues that true power comes from a deep understanding of when to use which style and the ability to use both as necessary.
(B) This choice contradicts McGinty's claims that powerful leaders use language from both the center and the edge, and that language from the center is used to "claim authority." The most powerful managers, then, would gain authority via language from the center while also using language from the edge when necessary.
(C) CORRECT: The passage states that language from the center "claim[s] authority" for the speaker, while language from the edge is "inclusive." This choice supports McGinty's claim that the powerful use both types of language (and, therefore, gain the attributes associated with the two types).
(D) This contradicts McGinty's claim that powerful leaders need to use language from both the center and the edge. In addition, the word "only" is too extreme.
(E) The only mention of "low-level employees" in the passage suggests that lowerranking employees use language from the center to gain power and credibility.

The fourth paragraph presents a final summary of McGinty's argument and places it in the context of management theory generally by comparing it to current trends in the field.
(A) CORRECT: This best reflects the function of the fourth paragraph.
(B) The usefulness of McGinty's thesis is not questioned in the fourth paragraph.
(C) While the focus of McGinty's theory of communication is contrasted that of general management theory, the primary purpose of this last paragraph is not to show the shortcomings of management theory. It is to summarize McGinty's theory in the context of the rest of the field.
(D) No alternative view of McGinty's proposal is presented in the final paragraph.
(E) No additional support is offered for McGinty's theory in the final paragraph. The correct answer is A.

The question asks for the primary focus of the passage. The answer to this must take the entirety of the passage into account without misrepresenting its focus. The passage centers on a presentation of McGinty's book, which proposes a new way to understand communication in business settings.
(A) Although McGinty's communication model might be seen as a "certain framework," the passage does not "demonstrate the effectiveness" of this model; rather, the passage simply presents the model with only minimal commentary (such as the word "useful" to describe McGinty's book).
(B) The passage describes McGinty's model of business communication, but does little to explain its advantages or disadvantages. The passage does contrast McGinty's model with those in standard management theory; however, the author of the passage does not judge or evaluate these models relative to each other.
(C) No "theory of business" is put forth, nor is any controversy regarding such a theory highlighted.
(D) CORRECT: The passage indeed presents the new model of business communication outlined in McGinty's book.
(E) There is no outdated model of personnel management presented or for that matter defended here.