In 1960, historian Clement Eaton argued that in the pre-Civil War South, the occasional practice of African American slaves' working...
GMAT Reading Comprehension : (RC) Questions
In 1960, historian Clement Eaton argued that in the pre-Civil War South, the occasional practice of African American slaves' working for paying employers as well as for slaveowners was the primary means by which slaves were enabled to purchase their own freedom, because they could save whatever portion of their wages their slaveowners allowed them to keep. Research indicates, however, that slaves throughout the South raised crops in plots designated for their own use and sold wares in local markets, and that hired-out slaves did not necessarily save money more successfully than did other slaves. Yet Eaton's viewpoint persists among historians who have inadequately considered both this research and the role of the family and community among those slaves who were most likely to purchase their own freedom, that is, those who worked in urban areas. For example, by 1850 the number of free African Americans in the District of Columbia greatly outnumbered slaves, and those free African Americans were often individually or collectively the primary agents in securing a slave's freedom; at least one African American benevolent society— ostensibly organized to relieve the sick—was actually devoted to raising money for slaves' self- purchase. Moreover, apart from direct monetary contributions, these free African Americans often supported the economic activities of enslaved African Americans by hiring their time, exchanging goods with them, and providing shelter for those whose work took them in and out of the city.
The author of the passage mentions an African American benevolent society primarily in order to
1. Passage Analysis:
Progressive Passage Analysis
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| In 1960, historian Clement Eaton argued that in the pre-Civil War South, the occasional practice of African American slaves' working for paying employers as well as for slaveowners was the primary means by which slaves were enabled to purchase their own freedom, because they could save whatever portion of their wages their slaveowners allowed them to keep. | What it says: A historian claimed that slaves mainly bought their freedom by working extra jobs and saving the money their owners let them keep. What it does: Introduces a historical claim/theory that will be the focus of discussion Source/Type: One historian's argument from 1960 Connection to Previous Sentences: First sentence - establishes the foundational claim we'll be examining Visualization: Eaton's Theory: Slave works for outside employer → Earns wages → Owner allows slave to keep some money → Slave saves up → Buys freedom What We Know So Far: One theory about how slaves bought freedom What We Don't Know Yet: Whether this theory is correct, what other research shows Reading Strategy Insight: This is a classic setup - author presents someone else's view that will likely be challenged or complicated. |
| Research indicates, however, that slaves throughout the South raised crops in plots designated for their own use and sold wares in local markets, and that hired-out slaves did not necessarily save money more successfully than did other slaves. | What it says: But research shows slaves made money in other ways (growing and selling crops), and the hired-out slaves weren't actually better at saving money than other slaves. What it does: Challenges Eaton's theory with contradicting evidence Source/Type: Research findings (broader than one historian) Connection to Previous Sentences: - Sentence 1 told us: Hired-out work was the PRIMARY way slaves bought freedom - NOW Sentence 2: Shows this is WRONG - slaves had other ways to earn money, and hired-out slaves weren't even better at saving Visualization: Eaton said: Hired-out slaves → Better at saving → Main path to freedom Research shows: All slaves had earning opportunities + Hired-out slaves ≠ better savers What We Know So Far: Eaton's theory is being challenged by research What We Don't Know Yet: What the author thinks, more details about how slaves actually gained freedom Reading Strategy Insight: Classic RC pattern: Theory in sentence 1, contradiction in sentence 2. Feel confident - this is predictable! |
| Yet Eaton's viewpoint persists among historians who have inadequately considered both this research and the role of the family and community among those slaves who were most likely to purchase their own freedom, that is, those who worked in urban areas. | What it says: Despite the contradicting research, historians still believe Eaton's view because they haven't properly looked at the research or considered family/community factors, especially for urban slaves. What it does: Explains why the wrong theory persists and hints at what the correct explanation involves Source/Type: Author's criticism of other historians Connection to Previous Sentences: - Sentence 1: Presented Eaton's theory - Sentence 2: Showed research contradicts it - NOW Sentence 3: Explains why people still believe the wrong theory and hints at the right one Visualization: Problem: Historians still believe Eaton DESPITE contradicting research Why: They ignore 1) the research + 2) family/community factors Key detail: Urban slaves were most likely to buy freedom What We Know So Far: Eaton's theory is wrong but still believed; real answer involves family/community, especially in cities What We Don't Know Yet: Specific examples of how family/community helped Reading Strategy Insight: Author is setting up their own explanation. "Family and community" is the key concept to watch for examples of. |
| For example, by 1850 the number of free African Americans in the District of Columbia greatly outnumbered slaves, and those free African Americans were often individually or collectively the primary agents in securing a slave's freedom; | What it says: In Washington DC by 1850, there were way more free African Americans than slaves, and these free people were usually the main ones helping slaves get free. What it does: Provides concrete example of the "family and community" concept from previous sentence Source/Type: Historical fact/data Connection to Previous Sentences: - Sentence 3 told us: Family/community factors matter for urban slaves buying freedom - NOW Sentence 4: Gives us a specific example - in DC, free African Americans helped slaves get free - This is NOT new complexity! This is the author helping us understand the "community" idea with a real example. Visualization: DC in 1850: Free African Americans (majority) → Help → Slaves (minority) → Gain freedom This shows "community" in action What We Know So Far: The real story is community help, not just individual saving from wages What We Don't Know Yet: More specific ways this help worked Reading Strategy Insight: Feel relieved here - this is simplification, not new complexity! "For example" signals the author is about to make the abstract idea concrete. |
| at least one African American benevolent society— ostensibly organized to relieve the sick—was actually devoted to raising money for slaves' self-purchase. | What it says: There was at least one African American organization that pretended to help sick people but really raised money to help slaves buy their freedom. What it does: Provides a specific, concrete example of how the community help worked Source/Type: Historical evidence/example Connection to Previous Sentences: - Sentence 3: Mentioned "family and community" role - Sentence 4: Showed this happening in DC generally - NOW Sentence 5: Gives us an even more specific example - an actual organization that did this - This RESTATES the same community-help idea with more detail Visualization: Benevolent Society: Appeared to help sick people → Actually raised money → Helped slaves buy freedom This is one concrete way "community support" worked What We Know So Far: Community support was real and organized, not just individual kindness What We Don't Know Yet: Other ways community helped besides money Reading Strategy Insight: This continues the same example - we're going deeper into DC story, not jumping to something new. Feel confident that you're understanding the main idea better. |
| Moreover, apart from direct monetary contributions, these free African Americans often supported the economic activities of enslaved African Americans by hiring their time, exchanging goods with them, and providing shelter for those whose work took them in and out of the city. | What it says: Beyond just giving money directly, free African Americans also helped by hiring slaves, trading with them, and giving them places to stay when they traveled for work. What it does: Expands the specific example by showing other types of community support beyond just money Source/Type: Historical evidence continuing the same example Connection to Previous Sentences: - Sentences 4-5: Showed community gave money to help slaves buy freedom - NOW Sentence 6: Shows community helped in OTHER ways too - hiring, trading, housing - This is the SAME community support concept, just showing it was broader than money alone - "Moreover" signals this adds to rather than contradicts the previous point Visualization: Community Support Types: 1. Direct money (sentences 4-5) 2. Hiring slave's time → slave earns money 3. Trading goods → slave earns money 4. Providing shelter → slave saves money All paths lead to: slave accumulates resources for freedom What We Know So Far: Community support was comprehensive - money, work opportunities, and practical help Reading Strategy Insight: This completes the author's argument with a full picture. "Moreover" tells us this adds to, not complicates, what we just learned. The passage has built one coherent argument against Eaton. Final Takeaway: The passage moved from: wrong theory → why it's wrong → what's right → detailed example of what's right. This is reinforcement, not complication! |
2. Passage Summary:
Author's Purpose:
To challenge a widely accepted historical theory by showing that historians have overlooked important evidence about how slaves actually gained their freedom.
Summary of Passage Structure:
The author builds their argument by systematically dismantling an old theory and replacing it with a better explanation:
- First, the author presents historian Clement Eaton's 1960 theory that slaves mainly bought their freedom by working outside jobs and saving their wages.
- Next, the author shows this theory is wrong by pointing to research that proves slaves had many ways to earn money and that hired-out slaves weren't actually better at saving than other slaves.
- Then, the author explains why historians still believe Eaton's flawed theory - they've ignored the research and failed to consider how family and community networks helped slaves, especially in cities.
- Finally, the author proves their point with a detailed example from Washington DC, showing how free African Americans helped slaves gain freedom through organized money-raising efforts, job opportunities, business partnerships, and practical support like housing.
Main Point:
The real way slaves bought their freedom wasn't mainly through individual wage-saving from outside jobs, but through extensive help from free African American communities that provided money, work opportunities, and practical support.
1. Question Analysis:
The question asks us to identify the primary purpose of the author's mention of an African American benevolent society. This is a function question - we need to understand why the author included this specific detail in the passage.
Connecting to Our Passage Analysis:
From our passage analysis, we know that:
- The author is building an argument against Eaton's theory by showing the importance of "family and community" factors
- The benevolent society appears in sentence 5, which provides "a specific, concrete example of how the community help worked"
- This detail is part of the Washington DC example that illustrates the broader concept of community support
- The passage analysis shows this is "one concrete way 'community support' worked" within the larger argument about free African Americans being "primary agents in securing a slave's freedom"
Prethinking:
The benevolent society is mentioned as part of a detailed example about Washington DC. The author uses this specific organization to support the broader generalization that free African Americans were the main helpers in securing freedom for slaves. This fits the pattern: the author makes a general claim about community support, then provides the DC example, then gives specific evidence within that example (the benevolent society) to make the general claim concrete and believable.
Why It's Right:
• The benevolent society is mentioned as part of the Washington DC example that supports the generalization that "those free African Americans were often individually or collectively the primary agents in securing a slave's freedom"
• The society serves as concrete evidence for the broader claim about free African Americans' role in helping slaves gain freedom
• This aligns perfectly with the passage structure where the author uses specific examples to support general claims about community assistance
Key Evidence: "by 1850 the number of free African Americans in the District of Columbia greatly outnumbered slaves, and those free African Americans were often individually or collectively the primary agents in securing a slave's freedom; at least one African American benevolent society—ostensibly organized to relieve the sick—was actually devoted to raising money for slaves' self-purchase."
Why It's Wrong:
• The passage doesn't discuss multiple organizations or focus on the "multiplicity" of groups
• Only one benevolent society is mentioned, not several
• The author's purpose isn't to show variety but to provide evidence for a specific claim
Common Student Mistakes:
- Does mentioning "at least one" society suggest there were many others?
→ "At least one" indicates minimum evidence needed, not emphasis on quantity - Isn't the passage about different types of help, suggesting multiple organizations?
→ The passage discusses different types of help, but from the same community, not necessarily different organizations
Why It's Wrong:
• The benevolent society example is about direct monetary contributions, not assistance "apart from" monetary contributions
• The society "was actually devoted to raising money" - this IS a direct monetary contribution
• Non-monetary assistance is discussed in the following sentence with "Moreover, apart from direct monetary contributions"
Common Student Mistakes:
- Doesn't the society show a different way of helping beyond individual donations?
→ The society is still providing money, just in an organized way rather than individual donations - Isn't organized fundraising different from direct contributions?
→ The end result is still monetary - the "apart from direct monetary contributions" refers to the next sentence's examples
Why It's Wrong:
• The passage doesn't present a "widely held view" that individuals helped more than groups
• The author isn't countering this specific comparison between individual vs. group assistance
• The main argument is against Eaton's theory about wage-saving, not about individual vs. group help
Common Student Mistakes:
- Doesn't the passage show groups helping, which counters focus on individuals?
→ The passage shows community help to counter Eaton's focus on individual wage-saving, not to address individual vs. group assistance debates - Isn't showing organized societies a way to counter individual-focused views?
→ The contrast is between community support vs. individual wage-saving, not between group vs. individual assistance methods
Why It's Wrong:
• The passage doesn't focus on the "success" of the particular benevolent society
• No information is provided about how effective or successful this specific organization was
• The mention is brief and serves as evidence for a larger point, not to highlight this organization's achievements
Common Student Mistakes:
- Doesn't mentioning the society suggest it was successful?
→ The mention proves the society existed and had a specific purpose, but doesn't evaluate its success - Isn't the fact that it's mentioned at all evidence of its success?
→ The society is mentioned as evidence of community support patterns, not as a success story to be celebrated