Reading Passage Question

No one can say where the bones of Machiavelli rest, but modern Florence has decreed him a stately cenotaph in Santa Croce, by the side of her most famous sons, recognizing that, whatever other nations may have found in his works, Italy found in them the idea of her unity and the germs of her renaissance among the nations of Europe. Whilst it is idle to protest against the world-wide and evil signification of his name, it may be pointed out that the harsh construction of his doctrine which this sinister reputation implies was unknown to his own day, and that the researches of recent times have enabled us to interpret him more reasonably. It is due to these inquiries that the shape of an "unholy necromancer," which so long haunted men's vision, has begun to fade.

Machiavelli was undoubtedly a man of great observation, acuteness, and industry noting with appreciative eye whatever passed before him, and with his supreme literary gift turning it to account in his enforced retirement from affairs. He does not present himself, nor is he depicted by his contemporaries, as a type of that rare combination, the successful statesman and author, for he appears to have been only moderately prosperous in his several embassies and political employments. He was misled by Catherina Sforza, ignored by Louis XII, overawed by Cesare Borgia; several of his embassies were quite barren of results; his attempts to fortify Florence failed, and the soldiery that he raised astonished everybody by their cowardice. In the conduct of his own affairs he was timid and time-serving; he dared not appear by the side of Soderini, to whom he owed so much, for fear of compromising himself; his connection with the Medici was open to suspicion, and Giuliano appears to have recognized his real forte when he set him to write the "History of Florence," rather than employ him in the state. It is on the literary side of his character, and there alone, that we find no weakness and no failure.

“No one can say where the bones of Machiavelli rest”- is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 4 comprehension questions. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Solution and Explanation

1. What is the primary purpose of the second paragraph in the passage?

1. To highlight the major contributions of Machiavelli
2. To praise Machiavelli‘s keen observation skills
3. To discuss contrasting aspects of Machiavelli‘s personality
4. To conclude that Machiavelli was a great author
5. To state that Machiavelli was not as wicked as a person as he has been historically made out to be

2. Which of the following can be inferred about Machiavelli from the passage?

1. He was renowned for his oratory skills
2. The people of his time did not view him as harshly as did later generations
3. He was a great statesman and author
4. He was a poor soldier
5. Machiavelli was buried in Italy

3. According to the information in the passage, why did Italy provide Machiavelli with a cenotaph next to her most famous sons?

1. Machiavelli was responsible for freeing Italy from the clutches of slavery
2. Machiavelli‘s works made Italy famous amongst the European nations
3. Machiavelli‘s works were responsible for the re-emergence of Italy as a unified nation
4. Machiavelli had been unjustly treated by other countries of the world
5. Machiavelli started the Italian renaissance by encouraging Italians to be united

4. The passage implies each of the following EXCEPT:

1. Several of Machiavelli‘s assignments as a statesman did not bear any results
2. At some point of time Machiavelli was assigned the task of protecting Florence
3. Machiavelli was not very aggressive in his conduct
4. Machiavelli was a better writer than his contemporaries
5. Modern research has helped diminish the negative aura around Machiavelli

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