Historical records indicate that Emperor Nero was viewed by many Roman citizens as an ineffective leader during his reign: ______
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Historical records indicate that Emperor Nero was viewed by many Roman citizens as an ineffective leader during his reign: ______
Which quotation from historical records most effectively illustrates the claim?
He commissioned the construction of several public amphitheaters and bath houses.
The imperial treasury maintained adequate reserves throughout most of his administration.
Contemporary accounts describe widespread civil unrest and multiple provincial rebellions during his rule.
He appointed experienced generals to lead military campaigns in distant territories.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Historical records indicate that Emperor Nero was viewed by many Roman citizens as an ineffective leader during his reign:" |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Historical records show that many Roman citizens considered Emperor Nero to be an ineffective leader.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes a historical claim about Nero's reputation and sets up the need for supporting evidence to illustrate this ineffectiveness.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The correct answer should show evidence of poor leadership or governance failures that would make Roman citizens think he was doing a bad job as emperor.
He commissioned the construction of several public amphitheaters and bath houses.
✗ Incorrect
- Shows Nero commissioning public works projects - this suggests effective leadership, not ineffectiveness.
The imperial treasury maintained adequate reserves throughout most of his administration.
✗ Incorrect
- Indicates financial competence and responsible treasury management - shows effective economic leadership.
Contemporary accounts describe widespread civil unrest and multiple provincial rebellions during his rule.
✓ Correct
- Describes "widespread civil unrest and multiple provincial rebellions" - these are clear signs that Nero couldn't maintain order or keep his empire stable. This perfectly illustrates why Roman citizens would view him as ineffective.
He appointed experienced generals to lead military campaigns in distant territories.
✗ Incorrect
- Shows Nero making strategic military appointments with experienced leaders - demonstrates thoughtful, competent decision-making.