RC: Aswan Dam

[prepgmat09]

For millennia, the Nile River flooded nearly every year as a natural consequence of heavy summer rains on the Ethiopian Plateau; in the last century, as the population in the region exploded, the cycle of flooding interspersed with periodic drought caused widespread suffering for the local population. In the mid-1950s, the Egyptian government concluded that a significant dam was necessary to enable the country's economic development to be on a par with that of Western nations. The Aswan Dam would prevent the annual flooding, generate hydroelectric power and supply a steady source of water for residents and agricultural activities, though it would also have other, less positive effects.

By the 1970s, most Egyptian villages had electric power, and the dam provided approximately half of Egypt's entire output of electricity. The benefits were counteracted, however, by consequences which were sometimes slow to appear but ruinous in their long-term effects. Dams prevent silt from flowing through to downstream lands. The silt is essential for renewing the minerals and nutrients that make the land fertile; before the dam, the Nile floodplain was famously productive. Farmers have had to substitute artificial fertilizers, reducing profits and causing pervasive chemical pollution with deleterious effects for the human, animal and plant populations living near or in the river. It is difficult to draw definite conclusions about a project with such substantial and varied results, but it would be untenable to assert that the Egyptian government should never have built the Aswan Dam.

What is the primary purpose of the passage?
A. to explain that varied effects can result even from sound business plans that accomplish their goals
B. to demonstrate that advantages are usually outweighed by unforeseen disadvantages
C. to assert that the Egyptian government should not have undertaken these plans for economic development
D. to describe the implementation of a project with significant environmental effects
E. to detail the negative effects suffered because of poor planning

The reason I striked off A was that the passage never mentions that a proposal to build a dam is a "business plan". During the test, I told myself that this answer choice makes an unjustified generalization. The project could as well be a non-profit initiative undertaken by the government of Egypt.

Could you please help me explain how I should have tackled this particular point?

[prepgmat09]

Hi Manhattan staff,

Could anyone of you please respond?

Regards,
prepgmat09

[a.k.bhageria]

Precisely the reason I ruled it out too. There was no mention of a business plan anywhere in the passage

[StaceyKoprince]

Hmm. I agree that this problem would be better if it just said "plan" instead of business plan and I'll suggest that to our curriculum committee.

FYI, the term "business" is not limited to for-profit enterprises. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business. Strictly speaking, you can use that term to describe the project undertaken here.

But I do think it's not unusual for someone to make the assumption that business = for profit company / concern, and eliminate choice A as a result. That's a trap, but it's not a great, really GMAT-like trap, which is why I'll suggest a revision to our curriculum team. :)

[prepgmat09]

Thanks, Stacey.

[tim]

Glad to hear Stacey's response helped!

[singh.anju29]

2. The author’s attitude toward the Aswan Dam Project
is best reflected by which of the following phrases?
1 inconsistent support
2. strict neutrality
3. keen enthusiasm
4. mild endorsement
5. cautious opposition

Hi Sir/Madam
I am confused here why option 4. is correct.I chose option 2.,
because the author is neutral in his tone as he conveys that the Dam has certain advantages as well as disadvantages.At one point he mentioned that yeah it is good that the Dam is built,but how only 1 point can justify 'mild endorsement'.
Please Explain

Thanks,
Anju Singh

[MohitS94]

Hi Anju,

I think it's the last line. That is where the mild endorsement lies. The author means to say that, despite the long term consequences, it would be wrong to suggest that the government should not have built the dam.

And one line is generally all it takes. Say you write an article and mention only the facts till the very end, and in the last line you say something like "Given the facts above, I suggest that the government take up this project immediately." This does affect the entire article. It makes it an opinion.

[singh.anju29]

Hi Anju,

I think it's the last line. That is where the mild endorsement lies. The author means to say that, despite the long term consequences, it would be wrong to suggest that the government should not have built the dam.

And one line is generally all it takes. Say you write an article and mention only the facts till the very end, and in the last line you say something like "Given the facts above, I suggest that the government take up this project immediately." This does affect the entire article. It makes it an opinion.

Ohkay ..Thanks :)

[RonPurewal]

how only 1 point can justify 'mild endorsement'.

consider what "mild" means.

if there were several points of endorsement, then that endorsement would no longer be "mild".