GMAT Reading comprehension organization of passage questions looks like
"Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?"
"Which of the following best describes the organization of the first paragraph of the passage?"
"One function of the third paragraph is to...."
Follow these strategies to solve GMAT Organization of Passage Question.
1) Limit paragraph summary
2) Learn to dissect the Vocabulary
Some of the common terminologies used while describing the passage:
2) Hypothesis - unproven idea (mostly scientific)
3) Phenomenon – an event that is rare and unique
4) Suggestion – the narrative used by the author
5) Claim – the author would use a discovery or an unproven but a development that sounds truthful
6) Speculation – mostly a hope or an exaggeration of an event/person/development
7) Analysis – presents the argument for and against an issue/event/person/group
8) Thesis – a scientific argument
3) Use Process of Elimination
<Start of Passage - GMAT Reading Comprehension Organization of the Passage>
Barter, a method of exchanging goods and services, directly between individuals and businesses, was prevalent from pre-historic times. The exchange was not limited to two entities, a Barter exchange system allowed a third party or broker to list the value of goods/services, providing a better exchange rate for all participants.
During early 1,100 B.C, Chinese merchants began creating miniatures of tools/weapons as a convenient way of transacting. Although the Chinese introduced the first recognizable currency coins, in 600 B.C., Lydia's King Alyattes officially minted the first coins. It required complex calculations to evaluate the value of each transaction in a Barter System thus allowing merchants to save taxes. However, the Barter system had its disadvantages.
The first disadvantage was that there was no common measuring unit for all goods and service. Since a market or exchange had diverse goods, the comparison of value was limited to the available goods in the market. That led to dissatisfied participants, who often had disputes regarding the actual value of their goods. Most of the time, brokers had the final say, which was not satisfactory for the participants.
The second disadvantage was for individual barters. They had to find a buyer who valued the goods that they sold. Also, depending on the urgency of the desired good, the seller had to negotiate the number of units that they were selling. For example, a seller who urgently desires a bullock cart for transportation in exchange for precious stones will have no other choice but to exchange a higher value item, regardless of the actual exchange rate.
The third disadvantage was due to the nature of the goods. Often, the goods are perishable or livestock, which made it difficult to loan goods and services as the exchange depended on the longevity of the goods. Also, non-reliable storage made it difficult for merchants to engage in long-term contracts.
<End of Passage - GMAT Reading Comprehension Organization of the Passage>
Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?
a) An assertion is made, briefly explained, and then several examples that refute the assertion are given.
b) A hypothesis is offered, carefully qualified, and then supporting data is analyzed.
c) A generally accepted historical viewpoint is presented in order to introduce the discussion of its strengths and limitations.
d) A historical analysis is made of a phenomenon and the disadvantages of this phenomenon are offered.
e) A historical dispute is introduced, and the case for one side is examined in detail.
Answer - GMAT RC Organization of the Passage
1) Read the paragraphs focusing on the structure of the thoughts.
2) Let us start analyzing each paragraph and note down what the author is trying to convey with each paragraph in a line or two
Paragraph 1: Introduction to the Barter System
Paragraph 2: History of First Currency Coins
Paragraph 3: First Disadvantage of Barter System
Paragraph 4: Second Disadvantage of Barter System
Process of Elimination
Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?
a) An assertion is made, briefly explained, and then several examples that refute the assertion are given.
b) A hypothesis is offered, carefully qualified, and then supporting data is analyzed.
Barter System is introduced as a historical analysis. Eliminate.
Although the Barter System is a historical observation, it is hardly a viewpoint. The strength was limited to one line in Paragraph 2 – “ It requires complex calculations to evaluate the value of each transaction in a Barter System thus allowing merchants to save taxes”. The passage is mostly about the disadvantages. Eliminate.
d) A historical analysis is made of a phenomenon and the disadvantages of this phenomenon are offered.
This is the closest to the actual organization of the passage. A historical analysis of Barter System (which was a phenomenon – a unique system in human history) and the disadvantages of the phenomenon are offered in Paragraphs 3, 4 and 5. Keep it.
e) A historical dispute is introduced, and the case for one side is examined in detail.
Although only the disadvantages are highlighted, the Barter system was not a historical dispute, it was an acceptable practice until better alternatives came along. Eliminate.
Correct Answer: D
