In 1967 the US Congress created the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which in turn created National Public Radio (NPR). NPR...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Source: Practice Test
Information and Ideas
Command of Evidence
MEDIUM
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Notes
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In 1967 the US Congress created the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which in turn created National Public Radio (NPR). NPR began producing and distributing high-quality news and cultural programming to affiliate stations across the United States in 1971. In a research paper, a student claims that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and NPR were inspired by the British Broadcasting System (BBC), which had been established in the 1920s.
Which quotation from a work by a historian would be the most effective evidence for the student to include in support of this claim?
A
Although the BBC had begun as a private corporation, politicians successfully argued to make it a public company because they believed a public broadcaster could help build national unity in the aftermath of World War I.
B
For many decades, the BBC had no competition since it held Britain's only broadcasting license, whereas in the United States, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting launched NPR in a broadcasting market already filled with competitors.
C
Congress's embrace of publicly funded broadcasting reflected a common belief among US politicians that the role of government was not only to ensure people's safety and liberty but also to enrich people's lives in other ways.
D
The goal of the BBC was to support British democracy by promoting an informed citizenry, and US legislators believed that ensuring access to high-quality programming could do the same for democracy in the United States.
Solution
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "In 1967 the US Congress created the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which in turn created National Public Radio (NPR)." |
|
| "NPR began producing and distributing high-quality news and cultural programming to affiliate stations across the United States in 1971." |
|
| "In a research paper, a student claims that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and NPR were inspired by the British Broadcasting System (BBC), which had been established in the 1920s." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: A student claims that the US's creation of public broadcasting was inspired by the earlier establishment of the BBC.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes the timeline of US public broadcasting creation, then presents a student's thesis that this was inspired by the BBC, setting up the need for supporting evidence.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
- What's being asked? Which quotation provides the most effective evidence for the student's claim.
- What type of answer do we need? Historical evidence that shows the US was inspired by the BBC.
- Any limiting keywords? "most effective evidence" means we need the strongest support for the inspiration claim.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
The right answer should tell us:
- The evidence should show a connection between the BBC's approach and what US legislators wanted to achieve
- It should demonstrate that US policymakers were aware of and influenced by the BBC model
- It should show parallel thinking or direct inspiration rather than just coincidental similarity
Answer Choices Explained
A
Although the BBC had begun as a private corporation, politicians successfully argued to make it a public company because they believed a public broadcaster could help build national unity in the aftermath of World War I.
✗ Incorrect
- Explains why BBC became public (national unity after WWI)
- Doesn't connect BBC to US inspiration at all
- Just provides BBC background without showing influence on US
B
For many decades, the BBC had no competition since it held Britain's only broadcasting license, whereas in the United States, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting launched NPR in a broadcasting market already filled with competitors.
✗ Incorrect
- Contrasts BBC's monopoly with US competitive market
- Shows differences between systems rather than inspiration
- Actually suggests the US approach was different from BBC model
C
Congress's embrace of publicly funded broadcasting reflected a common belief among US politicians that the role of government was not only to ensure people's safety and liberty but also to enrich people's lives in other ways.
✗ Incorrect
- Discusses US politicians' beliefs about government's role
- Makes no mention of BBC or foreign influence
- Doesn't establish any connection to British broadcasting
D
The goal of the BBC was to support British democracy by promoting an informed citizenry, and US legislators believed that ensuring access to high-quality programming could do the same for democracy in the United States.
✓ Correct
- Links BBC's democratic mission (informed citizenry) with US legislators' parallel belief
- Shows US lawmakers believed quality programming could serve democracy like BBC did
- Demonstrates direct ideological connection between BBC goals and US approach
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