In trying to increase their audiences, legitimacy, and support bases, arts institutions increasingly emulate purveyors of popular culture by using...
GMAT Reading Comprehension : (RC) Questions
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In trying to increase their audiences, legitimacy, and support bases, arts institutions increasingly emulate purveyors of popular culture by using sophisticated marketing techniques. Some commentators argue that if the arts have something unique and vital to offer, given their nonprofit status and their orientation as a public good, then it is important not only to arts communities but also to society that this trend be reversed so that the unique qualities of the arts are retained and made available to all. Others argue that no real qualitative differences exist between the arts and popular culture, so the arts should fight for their survival in the marketplace, along with popular culture products and institutions.
Although the boundaries between the arts and popular culture appear porous, the two rest on entirely different economic models. Popular culture has been market-based and profit-oriented since the late nineteenth century; the arts have functioned in the nonprofit arena-which indicates that the arts serve a larger social purpose. If this larger social purpose is not being fulfilled-whether because of insufficient corporate and patron funding or because of failures by the arts to demonstrate their value to legislators and to the public-arts institutions will find themselves attempting to attract participation and interest by imitating, and competing with, popular culture.
Ques. 1/3
Given the case made in the passage concerning the larger social purpose served by the arts, which of the following would the author be LEAST likely to regard as an instance of the arts fulfilling that purpose?
Solution
1. Passage Analysis:
Progressive Passage Analysis
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| In trying to increase their audiences, legitimacy, and support bases, arts institutions increasingly emulate purveyors of popular culture by using sophisticated marketing techniques. | What it says: Arts organizations are copying the marketing strategies of popular culture companies to get more people, credibility, and supporters. What it does: Introduces the main phenomenon being discussed - arts institutions changing their approach. Source/Type: Author's factual observation about a current trend. Connection to Previous Sentences: This is our starting point - no previous information to connect to yet. Visualization: Traditional Arts Institution → Copying → Popular Culture Marketing Museum/Theater/Orchestra → Marketing Techniques → Movie Studios/Entertainment Companies What We Know So Far: Arts institutions are adopting marketing techniques from popular culture What We Don't Know Yet: Whether this is good or bad, what people think about it, what the consequences might be Reading Strategy Insight: This opening sentence sets up a clear, concrete trend that the rest of the passage will discuss. |
| Some commentators argue that if the arts have something unique and vital to offer, given their nonprofit status and their orientation as a public good, then it is important not only to arts communities but also to society that this trend be reversed so that the unique qualities of the arts are retained and made available to all. | What it says: Some people think arts organizations should stop copying popular culture marketing because the arts are special (nonprofit, serving public good) and should stay that way for everyone's benefit. What it does: Introduces the first viewpoint in what will be a debate about the trend mentioned in sentence 1. Source/Type: Opinion of unnamed commentators/critics. Connection to Previous Sentences: This directly responds to sentence 1's trend - it's the "this is bad and should be stopped" perspective. The phrase "this trend be reversed" explicitly connects back to the marketing emulation described earlier. Visualization: Viewpoint 1: Arts should STOP copying popular culture Why? Arts are unique: Nonprofit + Public Good ≠ Profit-driven entertainment Goal: Keep arts special and available to everyone What We Know So Far: • Arts institutions are copying popular culture marketing • Some people think this is bad because arts are different (nonprofit, public-serving) What We Don't Know Yet: The opposing viewpoint, more details about why this debate matters Reading Strategy Insight: The passage is setting up a classic "some say this, others say that" structure. Don't get overwhelmed by the long sentence - it's just Viewpoint 1. |
| Others argue that no real qualitative differences exist between the arts and popular culture, so the arts should fight for their survival in the marketplace, along with popular culture products and institutions. | What it says: Other people think arts and popular culture aren't really different, so arts should compete in the market just like entertainment companies do. What it does: Provides the opposing viewpoint to complete the debate setup. Source/Type: Opinion of a different group of commentators. Connection to Previous Sentences: This directly contrasts with sentence 2. Where sentence 2 said arts ARE unique and should stay separate, this sentence says arts are NOT unique and should compete directly. The word "Others" signals the contrast. Visualization: Viewpoint 1: Arts ≠ Popular Culture → Stay separate and special Viewpoint 2: Arts = Popular Culture → Compete together What We Know So Far: • Arts institutions are copying popular culture marketing • Debate exists: Some want arts to stay unique, others want them to compete directly What We Don't Know Yet: What the author thinks, more detailed analysis Reading Strategy Insight: Feel relieved here - this completes a simple debate structure. You now have the full "some vs. others" framework that will guide the rest of the passage. |
| Although the boundaries between the arts and popular culture appear porous, the two rest on entirely different economic models. | What it says: Even though arts and popular culture seem to blend together, they're built on completely different financial systems. What it does: Begins the author's analysis by acknowledging complexity but asserting a key distinction. Source/Type: Author's analytical judgment (note the shift from "commentators argue" to direct assertion). Connection to Previous Sentences: This is the author stepping in to resolve the debate from sentences 2-3. The word "Although" acknowledges viewpoint 2 (boundaries are porous), but "entirely different economic models" supports the essence of viewpoint 1 (they are fundamentally different). Visualization: Surface level: Arts ↔ Popular Culture (porous boundaries, seem similar) Deep level: Arts Economic Model ≠ Popular Culture Economic Model What We Know So Far: • Arts copying popular culture marketing • Debate: keep separate vs. compete together • Author's position: They look similar but are fundamentally different economically What We Don't Know Yet: Details about these different economic models Reading Strategy Insight: The author is taking a nuanced position - partially agreeing with both sides but leaning toward fundamental differences. This sets up explanation of those economic differences. |
| Popular culture has been market-based and profit-oriented since the late nineteenth century; the arts have functioned in the nonprofit arena-which indicates that the arts serve a larger social purpose. | What it says: Popular culture has focused on making money since the 1800s; arts organizations don't focus on profit, which shows they serve society in a bigger way. What it does: Provides the specific details about the "entirely different economic models" mentioned in the previous sentence. Source/Type: Author's factual explanation with interpretive conclusion. Connection to Previous Sentences: This directly explains and supports the previous sentence. "Entirely different economic models" gets specified as: market/profit vs. nonprofit/social purpose. This also supports Viewpoint 1 from sentence 2 - arts DO have something unique (social purpose). Visualization: Popular Culture Economic Model: Market-based + Profit-oriented (since 1800s) Arts Economic Model: Nonprofit → Larger Social Purpose Timeline: 150+ years of different approaches What We Know So Far: • Arts copying popular culture marketing • Two viewpoints on whether this is good • Author says they're fundamentally different: profit vs. social purpose • This difference has existed for over a century What We Don't Know Yet: What happens when this difference breaks down Reading Strategy Insight: This is pure clarification - the author is helping you understand the economic difference with concrete details. Feel more confident, not confused. |
| If this larger social purpose is not being fulfilled-whether because of insufficient corporate and patron funding or because of failures by the arts to demonstrate their value to legislators and to the public-arts institutions will find themselves attempting to attract participation and interest by imitating, and competing with, popular culture. | What it says: When arts can't fulfill their social purpose (due to lack of funding or poor communication of their value), they end up copying and competing with popular culture to survive. What it does: Explains the cause-and-effect relationship that leads to the trend described in sentence 1, completing the author's analysis. Source/Type: Author's analytical conclusion about causation. Connection to Previous Sentences: This brings us full circle back to sentence 1's observation. Sentence 1 described arts institutions "emulating purveyors of popular culture" - now we understand WHY this happens. It also connects to sentence 5's "larger social purpose" - when that purpose can't be fulfilled, the copying behavior results. Visualization: Cause: Social Purpose Not Fulfilled ↓ (due to funding problems OR communication failures) Effect: Arts imitate popular culture (sentence 1's trend) Final Complete Picture: 1. Current situation: Arts copying popular culture 2. Debate about whether this is good 3. Author's view: Arts are fundamentally different (social purpose vs. profit) 4. When social purpose fails → copying behavior emerges Reading Strategy Insight: This is the satisfying conclusion that explains everything we observed at the beginning. The passage has come full circle - you should feel like pieces are clicking together, not like you're facing new complexity. |
2. Passage Summary:
Author's Purpose:
To explain why arts institutions are copying popular culture marketing strategies by analyzing the fundamental differences between arts and popular culture and showing what happens when those differences break down.
Summary of Passage Structure:
The author builds their explanation in clear steps:
- First, the author points out that arts institutions are increasingly using marketing techniques from popular culture to gain more audiences and support
- Next, the author presents two opposing viewpoints about whether this trend is good or bad - some think arts should stay separate and unique, while others think arts should compete directly with popular culture
- Then, the author steps in to resolve this debate by explaining that while arts and popular culture may seem similar on the surface, they operate on completely different economic models - popular culture focuses on profit while arts serve a larger social purpose
- Finally, the author explains the cause-and-effect relationship: when arts institutions can't fulfill their social purpose due to funding problems or poor communication, they end up copying popular culture to survive
Main Point:
Arts institutions copy popular culture marketing because they are forced to when they can't fulfill their true social purpose due to inadequate funding or failure to demonstrate their value to society.
3. Question Analysis:
The question asks us to identify which option would be LEAST likely to represent the arts fulfilling their "larger social purpose." This is asking us to find the choice that goes against what the author sees as the true mission of arts institutions.
Connecting to Our Passage Analysis:
From our passage analysis, we understand that:
- The author establishes that arts institutions serve a "larger social purpose" - this is what distinguishes them from profit-oriented popular culture
- The passage states: "Popular culture has been market-based and profit-oriented since the late nineteenth century; the arts have functioned in the nonprofit arena-which indicates that the arts serve a larger social purpose"
- When arts institutions can't fulfill this social purpose, they start "imitating, and competing with, popular culture"
- The author sees the nonprofit, public-good orientation as fundamental to what makes arts valuable to society
Prethinking:
Based on our passage analysis, the arts fulfill their larger social purpose when they:
- Serve the public good rather than private profit
- Remain accessible to society as a whole
- Maintain their unique qualities rather than becoming commercialized
- Focus on social benefit rather than market competition
Therefore, we should look for the choice that represents the OPPOSITE of these qualities - something that's primarily commercial, serves private rather than public interests, or treats art as a commodity rather than a social good.
Answer Choices Explained
A
A new film that embodies innovative cinematic techniques and was highly praised by eminent reviewers earns gross revenue that significantly exceeds the total production costs.
Why It's Wrong:
- This describes a film with innovative techniques praised by critics - suggesting artistic merit and cultural value
- Even though it's profitable, the emphasis on innovation and critical acclaim indicates it's serving artistic purposes beyond just profit
- The passage doesn't suggest that making money automatically disqualifies something from serving a larger social purpose
Common Student Mistakes:
- Doesn't making a profit mean it's not serving a social purpose?
→ The passage distinguishes between being "profit-oriented" as a primary goal versus earning revenue while serving other purposes - Isn't this more like popular culture since it's commercially successful?
→ Commercial success doesn't negate artistic innovation or social value - the key is the primary orientation and purpose
B
As part of a branding campaign, portraits of a company's founders are commissioned by the company for placement in the entrance lobby of the company's headquarters.
Why It's Right:
- This represents art being used purely for corporate branding and private business interests
- The portraits serve the company's marketing goals rather than any broader social or cultural purpose
- This exemplifies art being treated as a commodity for private commercial benefit
- It directly contradicts the passage's emphasis on arts serving "public good" rather than private corporate interests
Key Evidence: "the arts have functioned in the nonprofit arena-which indicates that the arts serve a larger social purpose" - commissioning art for corporate branding serves private business purposes, not larger social ones.
C
An educational foundation sponsors a program to have songwriters visit schools and work with children to show them how to write their own songs.
Why It's Wrong:
- This clearly serves educational and social purposes by teaching children creative skills
- An educational foundation (likely nonprofit) is sponsoring the program, aligning with the nonprofit model the passage associates with arts' social purpose
- This represents making arts "available to all" as mentioned in the passage
Common Student Mistakes:
- Is this really "high art" since it's just teaching kids to write songs?
→ The passage doesn't distinguish between different levels of art - it focuses on whether arts serve social purposes - Does this count as arts since it's educational?
→ Education is exactly the kind of "larger social purpose" the author has in mind
D
A nation's most revered poet writes a series of poems to celebrate the nation's commitment to diversity and equality.
Why It's Wrong:
- This represents art serving national and social values (diversity and equality)
- The poet is using their art to celebrate important social principles, clearly serving a larger social purpose
- This exemplifies how arts can address and reinforce societal values
Common Student Mistakes:
- Isn't this just propaganda rather than true art?
→ The passage doesn't require art to be apolitical to serve social purposes - celebrating social values is exactly what "larger social purpose" might include - Does commissioned or purpose-driven art count as serving social purposes?
→ Art created with specific social goals still fulfills the social purpose the author describes
E
A government initiates a scheme to award tax-free stipends that will allow promising artists, musicians, and writers to pursue their creative endeavors.
Why It's Wrong:
- This represents government support for arts that allows artists to pursue creative work without market pressures
- Tax-free stipends embody the nonprofit model the passage associates with arts serving social purposes
- This enables artists to create without having to "compete with popular culture" for survival
Common Student Mistakes:
- Doesn't government funding make this political rather than artistic?
→ The passage suggests that proper funding (whether corporate, patron, or government) helps arts fulfill their social purpose - How do we know these artists will serve social purposes rather than just pursue personal projects?
→ The passage suggests that when artists don't have to worry about market survival, they're more likely to maintain the unique qualities that serve society
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