In a research paper, a student criticizes some historians of modern African politics, claiming that they have evaluated Patrice Lumumba,...

GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions

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Information and Ideas

Command of Evidence

HARD

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In a research paper, a student criticizes some historians of modern African politics, claiming that they have evaluated Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, primarily as a symbol rather than in terms of his actions.

Which quotation from a work by a historian would best illustrate the student's claim?

Lumumba is a difficult figure to evaluate due to the starkly conflicting opinions he inspired during his life and continues to inspire today.

The available information makes it clear that Lumumba's political beliefs and values were largely consistent throughout his career.

Lumumba's practical accomplishments can be passed over quickly; it is mainly as the personification of Congolese independence that he warrants scholarly attention.

Many questions remain about Lumumba's ultimate vision for an independent Congo; without new evidence coming to light, these questions are likely to remain unanswered.

Solution

Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage

Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table

Text from Passage	Analysis
"In a research paper, a student criticizes some historians of modern African politics"	What it says: Student criticizes historians of modern African politics. What it does: Introduces the context and main critic. What it is: Setup/context
"claiming that they have evaluated Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo"	What it says: Historians evaluated Lumumba (1st PM of DRC). What it does: Identifies who is being evaluated and provides context. What it is: Background information
"primarily as a symbol rather than in terms of his actions"	What it says: Historians focus on Lumumba as symbol, NOT his actions. What it does: States the specific criticism being made. What it is: Main claim/criticism

Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements

Main Point: A student argues that historians treat Lumumba more as a symbolic figure than as someone whose actual actions merit study.

Argument Flow: The passage sets up a straightforward critique where a student identifies a problem with how historians approach Lumumba—they emphasize his symbolic importance over his concrete accomplishments and actions.

Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely

What's being asked? We need to find a historian's quotation that would best illustrate (serve as evidence for) the student's specific claim.

What type of answer do we need? A quotation that shows a historian treating Lumumba primarily as a symbol rather than focusing on his actions.

Any limiting keywords? None specified.

Step 3: Prethink the Answer

The correct quotation should demonstrate a historian doing exactly what the student criticizes—treating Lumumba as a symbol rather than examining his actions
This means we're looking for language that either dismisses or minimizes his actual accomplishments/actions, emphasizes his symbolic or representational importance, or shows the historian is more interested in what Lumumba represents than what he did

Answer Choices Explained

Lumumba is a difficult figure to evaluate due to the starkly conflicting opinions he inspired during his life and continues to inspire today.

✗ Incorrect

Says Lumumba is difficult to evaluate due to conflicting opinions
This addresses evaluation challenges, not symbolic vs. action-based treatment

The available information makes it clear that Lumumba's political beliefs and values were largely consistent throughout his career.

✗ Incorrect

Focuses on consistency of Lumumba's beliefs and values throughout his career
This actually suggests attention to his substantive positions, not symbolic treatment

Lumumba's practical accomplishments can be passed over quickly; it is mainly as the personification of Congolese independence that he warrants scholarly attention.

✓ Correct

Explicitly states "practical accomplishments can be passed over quickly"—dismissing his actions
Then says "it is mainly as the personification of Congolese independence that he warrants scholarly attention"—emphasizing symbolic importance
Perfectly matches the student's criticism

Many questions remain about Lumumba's ultimate vision for an independent Congo; without new evidence coming to light, these questions are likely to remain unanswered.

✗ Incorrect

Discusses unanswered questions about Lumumba's vision for Congo
This shows interest in his substantive plans and ideas, not symbolic treatment

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