According to Indian economist and sociologist Radhakamal Mukerjee (1889–1968), the Eurocentric concepts that informed early twentieth-century social s...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
According to Indian economist and sociologist Radhakamal Mukerjee (1889–1968), the Eurocentric concepts that informed early twentieth-century social scientific methods—for example, the idea that all social relations are reducible to struggles between individuals—had little relevance for India. Making the social sciences more responsive to Indians' needs, Mukerjee argued, required constructing analytical categories informed by India's cultural and ecological circumstances. Mukerjee thus proposed the communalist 'Indian village' as the ideal model on which to base Indian economic and social policy.
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
The text recounts Mukerjee's early training in the social scientific disciplines and then lists social policies whose implementation Mukerjee oversaw.
The text mentions some of Mukerjee's economic theories and then traces their impact on other Indian social scientists of the twentieth century.
The text presents Mukerjee's critique of the social sciences and then provides an example of his attempts to address issues he identified in his critique.
The text explains an influential economic theory and then demonstrates how that theory was more important to Mukerjee's work than other social scientists have acknowledged.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| According to Indian economist and sociologist Radhakamal Mukerjee (1889–1968), the Eurocentric concepts that informed early twentieth-century social scientific methods—for example, the idea that all social relations are reducible to struggles between individuals—had little relevance for India. |
|
| Making the social sciences more responsive to Indians' needs, Mukerjee argued, required constructing analytical categories informed by India's cultural and ecological circumstances. |
|
| Mukerjee thus proposed the communalist 'Indian village' as the ideal model on which to base Indian economic and social policy. |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map:
[CONTEXT + CRITIQUE] Mukerjee's view: Eurocentric methods irrelevant for India → [PROPOSED SOLUTION] Need: India-specific analytical categories → [CONCRETE EXAMPLE] His proposal: Indian village model for policy
Main Point: Mukerjee criticized Eurocentric social science methods as irrelevant for India and proposed using India-specific approaches instead.
Argument Flow: The passage begins by establishing Mukerjee's critique that European social science concepts didn't apply to India. It then explains his belief that India needed its own analytical framework based on local conditions. Finally, it offers his specific proposal of using the Indian village model as a concrete example of this new approach.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The overall structure of the text - how it's organized and what it accomplishes
What type of answer do we need? A description of how the passage moves from one element to another
Any limiting keywords? Overall structure means we need to capture the big-picture organization, not focus on specific details
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- It should capture that the passage starts with Mukerjee's criticism of existing social science methods
- It should note that the passage then shows what he thought should be done instead
- It should recognize that the passage provides his specific proposal as an example of his alternative approach
- So the right answer should describe a structure that moves from critique to proposed solution/example
The text recounts Mukerjee's early training in the social scientific disciplines and then lists social policies whose implementation Mukerjee oversaw.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims the text discusses Mukerjee's early training and policies whose implementation Mukerjee oversaw
- Neither of these elements appears anywhere in the passage
- The passage focuses on his critique and proposals, not his educational background or actual policy implementation
The text mentions some of Mukerjee's economic theories and then traces their impact on other Indian social scientists of the twentieth century.
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests the text traces the impact of Mukerjee's theories on other Indian social scientists
- The passage mentions no other social scientists or any influence Mukerjee had on them
- What trap this represents: Students might think impact sounds scholarly and important, but the passage doesn't discuss consequences or influence on others
The text presents Mukerjee's critique of the social sciences and then provides an example of his attempts to address issues he identified in his critique.
✓ Correct
- Accurately captures that the passage presents Mukerjee's critique of the social sciences
- Correctly identifies that it provides an example of his attempts to address issues he identified
- Matches our prethinking perfectly - critique followed by his proposed solution
The text explains an influential economic theory and then demonstrates how that theory was more important to Mukerjee's work than other social scientists have acknowledged.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims the text explains an influential economic theory and demonstrates its importance
- The passage doesn't present any established theory or argue about its overlooked importance
- Instead, it presents Mukerjee's critique and his alternative proposals