Evaluating RC passages

[ven646]

Hi Ron,

I am having a hard time trying to figure out what evaluating passages look like. This is in regard to the primary purpose question for the passage down below. Does an evaluating passage talk about the validity of/significance of a finding? Or does it talk about the merits and cons of a finding? Or does it talk about reasoning of the finding? Or is it any of the above?

Many people believe that because wages are lower in developing countries than in developed countries, competition from developing countries in goods traded internationally will soon eliminate large numbers of jobs in developed countries. Currently, developed countries' advanced technology results in higher productivity, which accounts for their higher wages. Advanced technology is being transferred ever more speedily across borders, but even with the latest technology, productivity and wages in developing countries will remain lower than in developed countries for many years because developed countries have better infrastructure and better-educated workers. When productivity in a developing country does catch up, experience suggests that wages there will rise. Some individual firms in developing countries have raised their productivity but kept their wages (which are influenced by average productivity in the country's economy) low. However, in a developing country's economy as a whole, productivity improvements in goods traded internationally are likely to cause an increase in wages. Furthermore, if wages are not allowed to rise, the value of the country's currency will appreciate, which (from the developed countries' point of view) is the equivalent of increased wages in the developing country. And although in the past a few countries have deliberately kept their currencies undervalued, that is now much harder to do in a world where capital moves more freely.

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to
A identify the origin of a common misconception
B discuss the implications of a generally accepted principle
C present information relevant in evaluating a commonly held belief . This is the OA
D defend a controversial assertion against a variety of counterarguments
E explain under what circumstances a well-known phenomenon occurs

Venkat

[Jazmet]

In such questions, it is always good to look at the first word of the answer choices, filter them basis the same and then look at the following words.

Lets have a look at all of them

1) - identify - Is the author of the passage really identifying anything in the whole passage???? - NO

2) discuss - Yes, it may be possible. But is it really a principle??? NO

3) present - Yes - strong possibility.

4) defend - Yes may be possible, but is it controversial? NO

5) explain - yes may be possible. but is it a well know phenomenon? the first line of the passage says "Many people believe that because wages are lower in developing....." the phrase many people believe doesnt make the following a well known phenomenon, hence NO.

Hope that helps.

[RonPurewal]

Hi,
You posted this here, too, where I already answered it:
http://www.beatthegmat.com/developing-v ... tml#690635

Please do not double-post. Thank you.

[AsadA969]

Ron, hope you are well. There is no printing option in beat the gmat or gmat club sides. We've to print the manhattan forum's post most of the times, so if you copy and past this post simultaneously with the link from beat the gmat or gmat club and from some other sides it'll be better for us.
Thanks.

[AsadA969]

probably, I shouldn't request you to post it again from other source. So, I am sorry!
Thanks again..

[RonPurewal]

probably, I shouldn't request you to post it again from other source. So, I am sorry!
Thanks again..

you're right... you shouldn't.

(:

[AsadA969]

Thanks

[RonPurewal]

sure.