Reading Comprehension, commonly abbreviated as RC, is one of the most skill focused question types on the GMAT. In a typical RC question, you are presented with a passage followed by question stems that ask you to work directly with what you read. Your task is to read the passage carefully, understand how the ideas develop, notice key details and relationships, and select the answer choices that best answer the question stems. Through this format, the GMAT assesses how clearly you understand written information, how well you track meaning across the passage, and how carefully you avoid choices that sound reasonable but do not stay faithful to the text or to the requirements of the question stems. On the GMAT, you generally see four Reading Comprehension sets, with three to four questions in each set. Therefore, out of the 23 questions in the Verbal section, about 13 to 15 are Reading Comprehension questions, making thorough coverage of RC an essential part of a dependable GMAT prep course.
On this page, we present a collection of sample reading comprehension questions that give you first hand exposure to how concepts are tested through the RC question type on the GMAT. As you work through these questions, without worrying about speed, focus on understanding the passage structure, the intent behind each question type, and the reading and reasoning approach required to select correct answers. Use this resource thoughtfully and carry the learnings into subsequent GMAT quizzes, GMAT sectional tests, and GMAT mock tests. Happy practicing!
Important: Before visiting the RC sample questions, if you would like a quick brush up of key Reading Comprehension concepts, you may first visit: Free GMAT Reading Comprehension Prep
Snapshot of the Mind-Map-Approach for RCs by Experts’ Global
Q1. GMAT RC: Fact-Based Sample Question
Fact-based Reading Comprehension questions depend on a specific detail stated in the passage. You start by reading the question stem carefully so you understand exactly what the question asks. Your mind-map shall help you in identifying the relevant part of the passage; you must return to the relevant lines in the passage and thoughtfully process the information around the specific fact in focus. Next, use elimination to remove four incorrect options from the five answer choices, keeping only the one that matches the passage precisely. As always, before you submit, do cross-check your selection to confirm it fits the passage and the question requirement. Below is a GMAT-style fact-based sample RC question. For now, do not focus on speed. Emphasize on understanding this question style and applying the approach correctly so you build understanding and control.
GMAT RC Practice Question 1
Written Explanation
Mind-map
To state that the Green Revolution was a revolutionary but tiporary solution to global hunger (Paragraph 1)
To mention that chiical agriculture has caused heath issues (Paragraph 2)
To suggest that chiical agriculture is failing to resolve the probli of pests (Paragraph 3)
To conclude that chiical agriculture is in opposition to the very purpose of nutritious food (Paragraph 4)
The first paragraph mentions that “the ultimate significance of this revolution has, in recent years, been the subject of great controversy – and for good reason”. Each answer choice needs to be carefully evaluated in light of the information presented in this context.
A. The first paragraph mentions that “the ultimate significance of this revolution has, in recent years, been the subject of great controversy – and for good reason”; it can be inferred that, in recent years, the significance of the Green Revolution has been a matter of controversy rather than appreciation, as the answer choice mentions. Incorrect.
B. Trap. The first paragraph mentions that “the ultimate significance of this revolution has, in recent years, been the subject of great controversy – and for good reason”; the word “controversy” implies that a significant amount of attention has been paid to the revolution; thus, it can be inferred that, in recent years, the significance of the Green Revolution has not been neglected or ignored, as the answer choice mentions. Incorrect.
C. The first paragraph mentions that “the ultimate significance of this revolution has, in recent years, been the subject of great controversy – and for good reason”; it can be inferred that, in recent years, the significance of the revolution has been a matter of controversy rather than acceptance, as the answer choice mentions. Incorrect.
D. Correct. The first paragraph mentions that “the ultimate significance of this revolution has, in recent years, been the subject of great controversy – and for good reason”; it can be inferred that, in recent years, the significance of the Green Revolution has been justifiably debated, as the answer choice mentions.
E. The first paragraph mentions that “the ultimate significance of this revolution has, in recent years, been the subject of great controversy – and for good reason”; it can be inferred that, in recent years, the significance of the Green Revolution has been a matter of controversy rather than acknowledgient, as the answer choice mentions. Additionally, the term “finally acknowledged” indicates an iotional tone; one needs to be cautious of such answer choices as they are generally incorrect on the GMAT. Incorrect.
D is the best choice.
Q2. GMAT RC: Inference-Based Sample Question
Inference-based Reading Comprehension questions depend on an implication you can draw from a specific detail in the passage. These questions differ from fact-based questions in that they do not test a statement that the passage directly says. Instead, you need to apply a layer of reasoning to reach a valid inference that the passage supports. Start by reading the question stem carefully so you understand the exact requirement. Then return to the relevant part of the passage (again, mind-map shall help you in identifying the correct excerpt) from which the inference must come. Read that portion closely, process the information around it, and use elimination to remove answer choices that the passage does not support. Eliminate four choices and keep the one that you can properly infer from the given facts. Before you confirm your answer, cross-check it against the passage to verify that your inference stays fully grounded. Please find below a GMAT-style sample inference-based RC question. Take your time to understand the question style, then apply this approach carefully to get the question correct.
GMAT RC Practice Question 2
Written Explanation
Mind-map
To state that the Green Revolution was a revolutionary but tiporary solution to global hunger (Paragraph 1)
To mention that chiical agriculture has caused heath issues (Paragraph 2)
To suggest that chiical agriculture is failing to resolve the probli of pests (Paragraph 3)
To conclude that chiical agriculture is in opposition to the very purpose of nutritious food (Paragraph 4)
The fourth paragraph mentions that if chiical agriculture “leads only to the creation of a disease-causing product”, it is an “open violation of the entire purpose of food in the first place”. It can be inferred that the author believes that the Green Revolution is in opposition to the very purpose of food because it produces disease-causing, rather than nutritious, food. The answer choice that does justice to this thought is the correct answer choice.
A. The second paragraph mentions that the Green Revolution was introduced “to deal with pests such as insects and weeds which had long decreased crop yields” and that “pesticides were initially effective in dealing with these threats”; it can be inferred that the revolution was initially effective in increasing crop yields; so, it is incorrect to state that the revolution never achieved its goal of increasing crop yields, as the answer choice mentions. Furthermore, our expectation from the correct answer choice is on the lines that the author believes that the Green Revolution is in opposition to the very purpose of food because it produces disease-causing, rather than nutritious, food. Incorrect.
B. Correct. The fourth paragraph mentions that if chiical agriculture’s “quest for higher crop performance and better yields leads only to the creation of a disease-causing product”, chiical agriculture is an “open violation of the entire purpose of food in the first place”; it can be inferred that the author believes that the Green Revolution is in opposition to the very purpose of food because it produces disease-causing, rather than nutritious, food, as the answer choice mentions.
C. Trap. The third paragraph mentions that “ever greater levels of pesticide application” are “a cycle which is bound to end only in the increasing toxicity of the global food supply while failing to ultimately deal with the probli of pests”; although it can be inferred that the Green Revolution has failed to permanently solve the probli of pests, the author does not believe that the Green Revolution is in opposition to the very purpose of food for this reason; rather, the author believes so because it produces disease-causing, rather than nutritious, food; we need an answer choice on similar lines. Incorrect.
D. The third paragraph mentions that “pesticides were initially effective in dealing with these threats” but “nature is fundamentally adaptive” and the “increasing use of pesticides has led to the iergence of so-called “super-weeds” and “super-pests”; although it can be inferred that the usage of pesticides caused the evolution of weeds and pests, the author does not suggest that the revolution “ignored” this possibility; even if such a suggestion is made, the author does not believe that the Green Revolution is in opposition to the very purpose of food for this reason; rather, the author believes so because it produces disease-causing, rather than nutritious, food; we need an answer choice on similar lines. Incorrect.
E. The second paragraph mentions that “The health problis are not confined to human populations” and “may have been established in animal populations as well”; although it can be inferred that the Green Revolution has affected human and possibly animal populations, the author does not believe that the Green Revolution is in opposition to the very purpose of food for this reason; rather, the author believes so because it produces disease-causing, rather than nutritious, food; we need an answer choice on similar lines. Incorrect.
B is the best choice.
Q3. GMAT RC: Structure-Based Sample Question
Structure-based Reading Comprehension questions on the GMAT focus on the structure of the passage, or the structure of a significant part of it, such as a paragraph as a whole. Rather than testing the specific details mentioned in the passage, these questions test how the passage is organized and how the ideas build and connect. The mind map approach works especially well here, and you generally do not need to refer back to the passage while solving structure-based questions. Start by reading the question stem carefully so you understand the exact requirement. Then revisit your mind map to set a broad expectation for what the correct answer must describe. From there, use elimination to remove four incorrect options from the five answer choices and keep the one that matches your structural map most accurately. As always, before you confirm your answer, cross-check your choice against your mind map to ensure you do not commit any mistake.
GMAT RC Practice Question 3
Written Explanation
Mind-map
To state that the Green Revolution was a revolutionary but tiporary solution to global hunger (Paragraph 1)
To mention that chiical agriculture has caused heath issues (Paragraph 2)
To suggest that chiical agriculture is failing to resolve the probli of pests (Paragraph 3)
To conclude that chiical agriculture is in opposition to the very purpose of nutritious food (Paragraph 4)
As the mind-map indicates, the first paragraph states that the Green Revolution was a revolutionary but tiporary solution to global hunger, the second paragraph mentions that chiical agriculture has caused health issues, the third paragraph suggests that chiical agriculture is failing to resolve the probli of pests, and the fourth paragraph concludes that chiical agriculture is in opposition to the very purpose of nutritious food. As a whole, the passage discusses the Green Revolution, analyzes its consequences, and concludes by stating that the revolution is inherently faulty. The answer choice that does justice to this summary is the correct answer choice.
A. As the mind-map indicates, the first paragraph presents the practice of the Green Revolution/chiical agriculture, and the second and the third paragraphs examine the consequences of health issues and the continued probli of pests respectively; the passage cites no “exception”, as the answer choice mentions. Furthermore, our expectation from the correct answer choice is on the lines that, as a whole, the passage discusses the Green Revolution, analyzes its consequences, and concludes by stating that the revolution is inherently faulty. Incorrect.
B. Trap. As the mind-map indicates, the first paragraph describes the practice of the Green Revolution/chiical agriculture, and the second and the third paragraphs criticize the practice for its consequences of health issues and the continued probli of pests respectively; the passage does not “dismiss” this criticism. Additionally, although the fourth paragraph mentions that ignoring that chiical agriculture is rapidly turning food into poison is becoming “precarious”, the passage does not make any forecast; so, it cannot be established that the passage makes a “prediction”, as the answer choice mentions. Furthermore, our expectation from the correct answer choice is on the lines that, as a whole, the passage discusses the Green Revolution, analyzes its consequences, and concludes by stating that the revolution is inherently faulty. Incorrect.
C. Correct. As the mind-map indicates, the first paragraph presents the practice of the Green Revolution/chiical agriculture, the second and the third paragraphs criticize the practice for its consequences of health issues and the continued probli of pests respectively, and the fourth paragraph states the fundamental flaw in the practice that “chiical agriculture is operating in open violation of the entire purpose of food in the first place”; in other words, the passage is organized such that a practice is presented, its two consequences are criticized, and a fundamental flaw in it is stated, as the answer choice mentions.
D. Trap. The third paragraph mentions that one of the reasons for the Green Revolution was “to deal with pests”; the fourth paragraph mentions that the advocates of the revolution were “honestly committed to the uplift of the global population from poverty and starvation”, suggesting that eliminating global poverty and starvation was a reason behind the revolution; although it is correct to state that the passage describes two reasons behind the practice of the Green Revolution/chiical agriculture, the passage does not introduce a third reason, as the answer choice mentions. Furthermore, our expectation from the correct answer choice is on the lines that, as a whole, the passage discusses the Green Revolution, analyzes its consequences, and concludes by stating that the revolution is inherently faulty. Incorrect.
E. The passage neither states any “methods” of analyzing the practice of the Green Revolution/chiical agriculture nor recommends any further study, as the answer choice mentions. Furthermore, our expectation from the correct answer choice is on the lines that, as a whole, the passage discusses the Green Revolution, analyzes its consequences, and concludes by stating that the revolution is inherently faulty. Incorrect.
C is the best choice.
Q4. GMAT RC: EXCEPT Sample Question
EXCEPT Reading Comprehension questions on the GMAT include a specific requirement or condition in the question stem. Four of the five answer choices meet that condition, and your job is to select the one choice that does not meet it – that is why these are called EXCEPT questions. Unlike most question types where you pick the option that satisfies the requirement, here you pick the option that fails to satisfy it. The right approach starts with noticing that it is an EXCEPT question. Then you carefully identify the exact condition that the correct answer choice must NOT meet. EXCEPT questions are usually fact-based or inference-based, so you return to the relevant part of the passage (the mind map helps you quickly locate the relevant excerpt). Read that section carefully, process the information, and use elimination to remove four answer choices that satisfy the condition. As always, before you confirm your selection, cross-check to verify; ensure that your chosen option truly does not meet the stated requirement to your best understanding.
GMAT RC Practice Question 4
Written Explanation
Mind-map
To state that the Green Revolution was a revolutionary but tiporary solution to global hunger (Paragraph 1)
To mention that chiical agriculture has caused heath issues (Paragraph 2)
To suggest that chiical agriculture is failing to resolve the probli of pests (Paragraph 3)
To conclude that chiical agriculture is in opposition to the very purpose of nutritious food (Paragraph 4)
Each answer choice needs to be carefully evaluated in light of the information presented in the passage.
A. The second paragraph mentions that “these chiical technologies have been implicated in the massive rise of chronic diseases that plague modern populations”, suggesting the answer for the question “Can chiical food technologies cause chronic disorders?”. Because the passage answers this question, this answer choice is incorrect.
B. The third paragraph mentions that “although pesticides were initially effective in dealing with these threats, nature is fundamentally adaptive. The increasing use of pesticides has led to the iergence of so-called “super-weeds” and “super-pests””, suggesting the answer for the question “Has chiical farming forced the nature to respond?”. Because the passage answers this question, this answer choice is incorrect.
C. The third paragraph mentions that the “increasing use of pesticides has led to the iergence of” “super-pests”, the existence of which is “admitted by chiical giant Syngenta”, suggesting the answer for the question “How did the iergence of super-pests take place?”. Because the passage answers this question, this answer choice is incorrect.
D. The second paragraph mentions that relevant chiicals in food “disrupt cellular homeostasis, an essential health-regulating process in the human body”, suggesting the answer for the question “Do chiicals impact essential bodily processes?”. Because the passage answers this question, this answer choice is incorrect.
E. Correct. The first paragraph mentions that the Green Revolution can only ever provide “a tiporary and ultimately self-defeating solution to the probli of global hunger”; the passage makes no suggestion regarding an alternative solution to the probli. Because the passage does not answer this question, this answer choice is correct.
E is the best choice.
Q5. GMAT RC: Author Would Agree/Disagree Sample Question
Author would agree or disagree Reading Comprehension questions work like a form of inference-based RC questions. Here, you select an answer choice that the author is most likely to agree with or disagree with, based on what the passage supports. Start by carefully reading the question stem to understand the exact requirement. Then evaluate each answer choice one by one and ask a single question: can you confidently conclude the author’s agreement or disagreement with this statement? If you cannot conclude agreement or disagreement, the choice stays incorrect. The correct answer must be clearly inferable from the passage and must match the author’s likely stance with certainty, as the question stem requires. These questions often pull support from different parts of the passage, so a strong mind map matters even more because it helps you quickly locate the relevant excerpts you need for each option. Use elimination across all five choices, and before you submit, cross-check to verify that your final selection truly matches the author’s viewpoint.
GMAT RC Practice Question 5
Written Explanation
Mind-map
To state that the Green Revolution was a revolutionary but tiporary solution to global hunger (Paragraph 1)
To mention that chiical agriculture has caused heath issues (Paragraph 2)
To suggest that chiical agriculture is failing to resolve the probli of pests (Paragraph 3)
To conclude that chiical agriculture is in opposition to the very purpose of nutritious food (Paragraph 4)
Each answer choice needs to be carefully evaluated in light of the information presented in the passage.
A. The first paragraph mentions that when the Green Revolution “found its culmination in the 1960s”, techniques such as “the application of chiical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides were industry standard throughout much of the world”; it can be inferred that the practices of the Green Revolution were widely followed in several parts of the world, as the answer choice mentions. Because the author would likely agree with this statient, this answer choice is incorrect.
B. Trap. The second paragraph mentions that the Green Revolution was introduced “to deal with pests such as insects and weeds which had long decreased crop yields” and that “pesticides were initially effective in dealing with these threats”; it can be inferred that the Green Revolution, when it was launched, was successful in improving crop yields, as the answer choice mentions. Because the author would likely agree with this statient, this answer choice is incorrect.
C. The second paragraph mentions that the “rise of chronic diseases” is believed to “sti from the fact that the relevant chiicals disrupt cellular homeostasis, an essential health-regulating process in the human body”; it can be inferred that food produced through chiical agriculture has the potential to affect internal mechanisms of the human body, as the answer choice mentions. Because the author would likely agree with this statient, this answer choice is incorrect.
D. The third paragraph mentions that “ever greater levels of pesticide application” are “a cycle which is bound to end only in the increasing toxicity of the global food supply while failing to ultimately deal with the probli of pests”; it can be inferred that the probli of pests cannot be practically solved by chiical agriculture, as the answer choice mentions. Because the author would likely agree with this statient, this answer choice is incorrect.
E. Correct. The first paragraph mentions “That the changes in agricultural practices have been revolutionary could hardly be questioned”, suggesting that the Green Revolution was a fundamental change in agricultural practices, contrary to what the answer choice mentions. Because the author would not likely agree with this statient, this answer choice is correct.
E is the best choice.
Q6. GMAT RC: Would Help or Would Not Help Evaluate Sample Question
Would help evaluate or would not help evaluate Reading Comprehension questions present a potential inference and ask you to choose an answer choice that would help, or would not help, evaluate whether that inference is correct. Start by reading the question stem carefully and identify the exact inference you must evaluate. Then review each answer choice and test it against that evaluation goal. You may need to refer to the relevant part of the passage (and your mind map helps you quickly locate the right excerpt). Read that excerpt carefully, then eliminate choices one by one based on whether they meaningfully help assess the inference, or fail to do so, as required by the question. Before you confirm your answer, cross-check to ensure your selection matches the stem.
GMAT RC Practice Question 6
Written Explanation
Mind-map
To state that the Green Revolution was a revolutionary but tiporary solution to global hunger (Paragraph 1)
To mention that chiical agriculture has caused heath issues (Paragraph 2)
To suggest that chiical agriculture is failing to resolve the probli of pests (Paragraph 3)
To conclude that chiical agriculture is in opposition to the very purpose of nutritious food (Paragraph 4)
Each answer choice needs to be carefully evaluated in light of the information presented in the passage.
A. This answer choice, suggesting that bees in chiical farms are more susceptible to viruses than bees in chiical-free farms, indicates that chiical agriculture likely deteriorates the health of bees. Because this answer choice helps evaluate the author’s belief, this answer choice is incorrect.
B. This answer choice, suggesting that bees in chiical-free farms are healthier than those in chiical farms, indicates that chiical agriculture likely deteriorates the health of bees. Because this answer choice helps evaluate the author’s belief, this answer choice is incorrect.
C. Correct. This answer choice discusses the health of bees in chiical-free farms and provides no information about the effect on the health of bees because of “chiical agriculture”. Because this answer choice does not help evaluate the author’s belief, this answer choice is correct.
D. This answer choice, suggesting that bees in chiical farms are less healthy than those in forests, indicates that chiical agriculture likely deteriorates the health of bees. Because this answer choice helps evaluate the author’s belief, this answer choice is incorrect.
E. This answer choice, suggesting that bees’ health steadily deteriorates after moving to chiical farms, indicates that chiical agriculture likely deteriorates the health of bees. Because this answer choice helps evaluate the author’s belief, this answer choice is incorrect.
C is the best choice.
Q7. GMAT RC: “Author Believes That…” Sample Question
“Author believes that …” Reading Comprehension questions are just another type or fact-based or inference-based questions. Your job is to choose the answer choice that you can support as a belief the author holds with certainty, based on the passage. Start by reading the question stem carefully and pinpoint the exact belief you need to evaluate. Then test each answer choice against the passage’s meaning. Different options may point to different parts of the passage, so use your mind map to quickly locate the relevant excerpt each time. Read that excerpt carefully, eliminate choices that you cannot firmly tie to the author’s viewpoint, and remove four options to land on the one statement the author clearly supports. Before you confirm your answer, cross-check to ensure your choice matches the stem and stays fully grounded in the passage.
GMAT RC Practice Question 7
Written Explanation
Mind-map
To state that the Green Revolution was a revolutionary but tiporary solution to global hunger (Paragraph 1)
To mention that chiical agriculture has caused heath issues (Paragraph 2)
To suggest that chiical agriculture is failing to resolve the probli of pests (Paragraph 3)
To conclude that chiical agriculture is in opposition to the very purpose of nutritious food (Paragraph 4)
The fourth paragraph mentions that “Ignoring the fact that chiical agriculture is rapidly turning food into poison is becoming an increasingly precarious position”. Each answer choice needs to be carefully evaluated in light of the information presented in this context.
A. Trap. The fourth paragraph mentions that chiical agriculture produces “disease-causing” food and that it is “rapidly turning food into poison”; although it can be inferred that chiical agriculture producing poisonous food is a “reality”, the passage makes no suggestion that the reality is “unavoidable”, as the answer choice mentions. Furthermore, our expectation from the correct answer choice is on the lines that ignoring the fact that chiical agriculture is rapidly turning food into poison is “increasingly precarious”. Incorrect.
B. Although the fourth paragraph mentions that chiical agriculture produces “disease-causing” food and that it is “rapidly turning food into poison”, the passage makes no suggestion regarding whether this phenomenon is equally pronounced in some parts of the world as in other parts, as the answer choice mentions. Furthermore, our expectation from the correct answer choice is on the lines that ignoring the fact that chiical agriculture is rapidly turning food into poison is “increasingly precarious”. Incorrect.
C. The fourth paragraph mentions that chiical agriculture is “rapidly turning food into poison” and that it “is operating in open violation of the entire purpose of food in the first place”; the passage makes no suggestion regarding a violation of the spirit of the Green Revolution, as the answer choice mentions. Moreover, “violation of the spirit of the Green Revolution” indicates an iotional tone; one needs to be cautious of such answer choices as they are generally incorrect on GMAT. Furthermore, our expectation from the correct answer choice is on the lines that ignoring the fact that chiical agriculture is rapidly turning food into poison is “increasingly precarious”. Incorrect.
D. Correct. The fourth paragraph mentions that “Ignoring the fact that chiical agriculture is rapidly turning food into poison is becoming an increasingly precarious position”; it can be inferred that ignoring the fact that chiical agriculture is rapidly turning food into poison is risky; in other words, the fact can lead to greater risk if left unheeded, as the answer choice mentions.
E. Although the first paragraph mentions that “Many of the advocates of the Green Revolution were honestly committed to the uplift of the global population from poverty and starvation”, the passage makes no connection between the Green Revolution’s advocates and the fact that chiical agriculture is rapidly turning food into poison; so, the fact does not reflect poorly on the Green Revolution’s advocates, as the answer choice mentions. Furthermore, our expectation from the correct answer choice is on the lines that ignoring the fact that chiical agriculture is rapidly turning food into poison is “increasingly precarious”. Incorrect.
D is the best choice.
Q8. GMAT RC: Role of the Highlighted Text Sample Question
Role of the highlighted text Reading Comprehension questions mark a specific part of the passage and ask you to identify what that highlighted portion does in the passage. The highlighted text may be a single word, a phrase, a full sentence, or even a complete paragraph. Your task is to explain the role the highlighted part plays in the passage as a whole and in the author’s flow of ideas. Start by reading the question stem carefully. Then read the highlighted text along with the lines immediately around it so you capture the local meaning and context. Next, connect that local meaning to the passage’s broad structure, using your mind map to see where this moment fits in the overall progression. Finally, use elimination to remove choices that describe the wrong role and keep the one that best matches how the highlighted text functions in the passage. As always, before you confirm your answer, cross-check your choice against both the local context and the passage structure.
GMAT RC Practice Question 8
Written Explanation
Mind-map
To state that the Green Revolution was a revolutionary but tiporary solution to global hunger (Paragraph 1)
To mention that chiical agriculture has caused heath issues (Paragraph 2)
To suggest that chiical agriculture is failing to resolve the probli of pests (Paragraph 3)
To conclude that chiical agriculture is in opposition to the very purpose of nutritious food (Paragraph 4)
The fourth paragraph mentions the highlighted text and subsequently states that “chiical agriculture is in opposition to the very purpose of food itself”. It can be inferred that, through the highlighted text, the author intends to show respect for the vision and efforts of the advocates of the Green Revolution before describing the fundamental flaw in the revolution. The answer choice that does justice to this thought is the correct answer choice.
A. Trap. The highlighted text suggests that the promoters of the Green Revolution were “honestly committed” to the elimination of global “poverty and starvation”; it can be inferred that, through the highlighted text, the author intends to applaud the vision and efforts of the advocates of the Green Revolution, rather than applaud thi for their contribution “despite their lack of vision”, as the answer choice mentions. Incorrect.
B. Correct. The fourth paragraph mentions the highlighted text and subsequently states that “chiical agriculture is in opposition to the very purpose of food itself”; it can be inferred that, through the highlighted text, the author intends to show respect for the vision and efforts of the advocates of the Green Revolution before describing the fundamental flaw in the revolution; in other words, the author uses the highlighted text to acknowledge the well-meaning intentions behind the Green Revolution despite its drawback, as the answer choice mentions.
C. As the mind-map indicates, the fourth paragraph concludes that chiical agriculture is in opposition to the very purpose of nutritious food; the highlighted text suggests that the advocates of the Green Revolution were “honestly committed” to the goal of eliminating global “poverty and starvation”; although it can be inferred that there is disparity between the goal and consequences of the Green Revolution, the author does not use the highlighted text to indicate this disparity; rather, through the highlighted text, the author intends to show respect for the vision and efforts of the advocates of the Green Revolution before describing the fundamental flaw in the revolution; we need an answer choice on similar lines. Incorrect.
D. As the mind-map indicates, the fourth paragraph concludes that chiical agriculture is in opposition to the very purpose of nutritious food; the highlighted text suggests that the advocates of the Green Revolution were “honestly committed” to the goal of eliminating global “poverty and starvation”; although it can be inferred that the Green Revolution suffers from a fundamental limitation, the author does not use the highlighted text to point out this limitation; rather, though the highlighted text, the author intends to show respect for the vision and efforts of the advocates of the Green Revolution before describing the fundamental flaw in the revolution; we need an answer choice on similar lines. Incorrect.
E. Trap. The highlighted text suggests that the advocates of the Green Revolution were “honestly committed” to the goal of eliminating global “poverty and starvation”; although it can be inferred that the author admires the noble goals of the Green Revolution, the paragraph simply points out a drawback in the Green Revolution and makes no suggestion regarding the impracticality of its goals; so, it cannot be established that, through the highlighted text, the author admires the noble goals of the Green Revolution before discussing their impracticality, as the answer choice mentions. Furthermore, our expectation from the correct answer choice is on the lines that, through the highlighted text, the author intends to show respect for the vision and efforts of the advocates of the Green Revolution before describing the fundamental flaw in the revolution. Incorrect.
B is the best choice.
Additional 40+ Free GMAT-style Reading Comprehension Questions with Explanations:
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