Reading Passage 2 Free Enterprise

The primary purpose of the passage is to

• (A) criticize the inflexibility of American economic mythology
• (B) contrast “Old World” and “New World” economic ideologies
• (C) challenge the integrity of traditional political leaders
• (D) champion those Americans whom the author deems to be neglected

According to the passage, “Old World” values were   based on

• (A) ability
• (B) property
• (C) family connections
• (D) education

In the context of the author’s discussion of   regulating change, which of the following could be   most probably regarded as a “strong referee” (line  30) in the United States?

• (A) A school principal
• (B) A political theorist
• (C) A federal court judge
• (D) A social worker

The author sets off the word “Reform” (line 35) with   quotation marks in order to

• (A) emphasize its departure from the concept of  settled possessiveness
• (B) show his support for a systematic program of change
• (C) underscore the flexibility and even amorphousness   of United States society.
• (D) assert that reform in the United  States has not been fundamental

It can be inferred from the passage that the author   most probably thinks that giving the disenfranchised   “a piece of the action ” (line 38) is

• (A) a compassionate, if misdirected, legislative measure 
• (B) an example of Americans’ resistance to profound social change
• (C) an innovative program for genuine social reform
• (D) a monument to the efforts of industrial reformers

Which of the following metaphors could the author   most appropriately use to summarize his own   assessment of the American economic system   (lines 35-60)?

• (A) A windmill
• (B) A waterfall
• (C) A treadmill
• (D) A gyroscope

It can be inferred from the passage that Woodrow   Wilson’s ideas about the economic market

• (A) encouraged those who “make the system work”  (lines 45-46)
• (B) perpetuated traditional legends about America
• (C) revealed the prejudices of a man born wealthy
• (D) foreshadowed the stock market crash of 1929

The passage contains information that would answer   which of the following questions?  
Ⅰ. What techniques have industrialists used to manipulate a free market?  
Ⅱ.  In what ways are “ New World” and “ Old World”   economic policies similar?  
Ⅲ.  Has economic policy in the United States tended   to reward independent action?

• (A) Ⅰonly
• (B) Ⅱ only
• (C) Ⅲ only
• (D) Ⅰ and Ⅱ only

Which of the following best expresses the author’s main point?

• (A) Americans’ pride in their jobs continues to give   them stamina today.
• (B) The absence of a status quo ante has   undermined United States economic structure.
• (C) The free enterprise system has been only a    useless concept in the United States
• (D) The myth of the American free enterprise system   is seriously flawed.