Comprehension
After reading the passage given below, choose the best answer to each question that follows:
In contrast to traditional analyses of minority business, the sociological analysis contends that minority business ownership is a group-level phenomenon, in that it is largely dependent upon social-group resources for its development. Specifically, this analysis indicates that support networks play a critical role in starting and maintaining minority business enterprises by providing owners with a range of assistance, from the informal encouragement of family members and friends to dependable sources of labor and clientele from the owner's ethnic group. Such self-help networks, which encourage and support ethnic minority entrepreneurs, consist of "primary" institutions, those closest to the individual in shaping his or her behavior and beliefs. They are characterized by the face-to-face association and cooperation of persons united by ties of mutual concern. They form an intermediate social level between the individual and larger "secondary" institutions based on impersonal relationships. Primary institutions comprising the support network include kinship, peer, and neighborhood or community subgroups. A major function of self-help networks is financial support. Most scholars agree that minority business owners have depended primarily on family funds and ethnic community resources for investment capital. Personal savings have been accumulated, often through frugal living habits that require sacrifices by the entire family and are thus a product of long-term family financial behavior. Additional loans and gifts from relatives, forthcoming because of group obligation rather than narrow investment calculation, have supplemented personal savings. Individual entrepreneurs do not necessarily rely on their kin because they cannot obtain financial backing from commercial resources. They may actually avoid banks because they assume that commercial institutions either cannot comprehend the special needs of minority enterprise or charge unreasonably high interest rates. Within the larger ethnic community. rotating credit associations have been used to raise capital. These associations are informal clubs of friends and other trusted members of the ethnic group who make regular contributions to a fund that is given to each contributor in rotation. One author estimates that 40 percent of New York Chinatown firms established during 1900-1950 utilized such associations as their initial source of capital. However, recent immigrants and third or fourth generations of older groups now employ rotating credit associations only occasionally to raise investment funds. Some groups, like Black Americans, found other means of financial support for their entrepreneurial efforts. The first Black-operated banks were created in the late nineteenth century as depositories for dues) collected from fraternal or lodge groups, which themselves had sprung from Black churches. Black banks made limited investments in other Black enterprises. Irish immigrants in American cities organized many building and loan associations to provide capital for home construction and purchase. They, in turn, provided work for many Irish home-building contractor firms. Other ethnic and minority groups followed similar practices in founding ethnic-directed financial institutions. (The passage taken from Book/News/Open source)
Question: 1

Based on the information in the passage, it would be LEAST likely for which of the following persons to be part of a self-help network?

Updated On: Dec 22, 2025
  • The entrepreneur's childhood friend
  • The entrepreneur's aunt
  • The entrepreneur's religious leader
  • The entrepreneur's banker
Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

The question asks to identify the person least likely to be part of a self-help network based on the information provided in the passage regarding minority business ownership and the role of self-help networks.

To solve this question, let's analyze each option in the context of the passage:

  1. The entrepreneur's childhood friend: The passage mentions that self-help networks include kinship and peer subgroups, characterized by face-to-face association and cooperation. A childhood friend fits the description as peer support is a crucial part of such networks.
  2. The entrepreneur's aunt: Kinship is specifically mentioned as a primary institution in the support network. Family members often provide emotional and financial support, making the aunt a plausible part of a self-help network.
  3. The entrepreneur's religious leader: The passage discusses that ethnic and religious community institutions provide a supportive environment. Religious leaders often play a role in strengthening community bonds and could be part of the support network.
  4. The entrepreneur's banker: The passage suggests that entrepreneurs avoid commercial institutions like banks due to high interest rates or lack of understanding concerning minority business needs. It highlights the dependence on ethnic community resources and personal networks instead. Thus, the banker is least likely to be part of a self-help network because entrepreneurs prefer avoiding banks.

Therefore, the person least likely to be part of a self-help network is the entrepreneur's banker, as entrepreneurs tend to rely more on family and community networks rather than external commercial banking resources.

Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Question: 2

Which of the following shows the working of a self-help support network, as it is described in the passage?

Updated On: Dec 22, 2025
  • A public high school offers courses in book-keeping and accounting as part of its open- enrollment adult education program
  • The local government in a small city sets up a program that helps teen-agers find summer jobs
  • A neighborhood-based fraternal organization develops a program of on-the-job training for its members and their friends
  • A community college offers country residents training programs that can lead to certification in a variety of technical
Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

To determine which option best exemplifies a self-help support network based on the passage provided, let's analyze the key concepts from the passage:

  1. Definition of a Self-Help Support Network: The passage describes self-help support networks as group-level phenomena crucial for supporting minority business owners. These networks primarily involve social-group resources. They include "primary" institutions characterized by face-to-face cooperation and mutual concern, such as family, kinship, peer groups, and neighborhood subgroups. They play a significant role in providing financial and emotional support.
  2. Characteristics Highlighted: - Support networks provide informal encouragement, reliable labor sources, and clientele within an ethnic group. - Financial resources often come from personal savings, family contributions, and community-based financial solutions such as rotating credit associations.

Now, let's evaluate each option:

  • Option 1:
    A public high school offers courses in bookkeeping and accounting.
    - This option describes a formal, educational program open to the public rather than a support network based on mutual concern and face-to-face cooperation within a community or ethnic group.
  • Option 2:
    The local government in a small city sets up a program to help teenagers find summer jobs.
    - This is a government initiative; it is not characterized by the informal, community-based support described in the passage.
  • Option 3:
    A neighborhood-based fraternal organization develops a program of on-the-job training for its members and their friends.
    - This option fits the passage's description of a self-help network. It involves a local community group (a fraternal organization) providing practical support (on-the-job training) to its members and their acquaintances, indicating mutual concern and close cooperation.
  • Option 4:
    A community college offers residents training programs.
    - Similar to Option 1, this is a formal educational opportunity, not a community-based, informal support system.

Based on the analysis, the correct answer is the option that depicts a self-help network providing direct support and training within a close community group, matching the characteristics of mutual concern and cooperation described in the passage:

Correct Answer: A neighborhood-based fraternal organization develops a program of on-the-job training for its members and their friends.

Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Question: 3

The passage best supports which of the following statements?

Updated On: Dec 22, 2025
  • A minority entrepreneur who had no assistance from family members would not be able to start a business
  • Self-help networks have been effective in helping entrepreneurs primarily in the last 50 years
  • Minority groups have developed a range of alternatives to standard financing of business ventures
  • Successful minority-owned businesses succeed primarily because of the personal strengths of their founders
Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

The given question requires us to identify the statement best supported by the passage. To do this, we must analyze the passage and match its key points with the given options.

  1. Contextual Understanding: The passage discusses how minority groups use alternative financial strategies beyond traditional banking to establish and maintain businesses. It emphasizes the role of self-help networks and ethnic community support.
  2. Evaluating the Statements:
    • Option 1: "A minority entrepreneur who had no assistance from family members would not be able to start a business."
      This statement is extreme and not supported by the passage, as the passage suggests that assistance is common but does not state it is essential without exception.
    • Option 2: "Self-help networks have been effective in helping entrepreneurs primarily in the last 50 years."
      This is not directly supported by the passage. While it discusses self-help networks' roles historically, it does not limit their effectiveness to the last 50 years.
    • Option 3: "Minority groups have developed a range of alternatives to standard financing of business ventures."
      This option is clearly supported by the passage, which details various alternate finance methods such as family savings, ethnic community funds, and rotating credit associations.
    • Option 4: "Successful minority-owned businesses succeed primarily because of the personal strengths of their founders."
      The passage focuses more on external support networks rather than personal attributes, making this option less aligned.
  3. Conclusion: Based on the analysis, the statement that best supports the passage is Option 3: "Minority groups have developed a range of alternatives to standard financing of business ventures." This aligns with the passage's details regarding non-traditional financial strategies employed by minority groups.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Question: 4

According to the passage, once a minority-owned business is established, self-help networks contribute which of the following to that business?

Updated On: Dec 22, 2025
  • Information regarding possible expansion of the business into nearby communities
  • Encouragement of a business climate that is nearly free of direct competition
  • Opportunities for the business owner to reinvest profits in other minority-owned businesses
  • Contact with people who are likely to be customers of the new business
Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

In the given passage, we are asked to determine the contribution of self-help networks to a minority-owned business once it is established. To find the correct solution, we need to analyze the passage focusing on the roles and characteristics of self-help networks.

The passage explains that minority business ownership depends significantly on social-group resources, indicating a group-level approach. Importantly, these self-help networks provide several kinds of support:

  1. Face-to-face association and cooperation of persons united by mutual concern: This suggests a network built on strong personal and communal ties beneficial for business support.
  2. Financial Support: Utilizing community resources, personal savings, and contributions from group-based associations to fund enterprises.
  3. Clientele support: The passage states that these networks provide support from within the ethnic community, which includes the business's customer base.

Among the options provided, the correct answer is:

"Contact with people who are likely to be customers of the new business"

This is because the passage highlights the role of community support, including a clientele network originating from the entrepreneur's ethnic group, which directly aids in the business's customer acquisition and retention.

Let's evaluate the other options:

  • Information regarding possible expansion of the business into nearby communities: The passage does not mention expanding into nearby communities as a role of self-help networks.
  • Encouragement of a business climate that is nearly free of direct competition: The focus is on community support rather than competition dynamics.
  • Opportunities for the business owner to reinvest profits in other minority-owned businesses: The passage discusses receiving community financial aid rather than reinvesting profits.

Thus, the reasoning aligns with the correct choice, highlighting the network's role in establishing business contacts with potential customers within the minority community.

Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Question: 5

According to the passage that traditional analyses of minority business would be LEAST likely to do which of the following?

Updated On: Dec 22, 2025
  • Examine businesses primarily in their social contexts
  • Focus on current, rather than historical, examples of business enterprises
  • Focus on the maintenance of businesses, rather than means of starting them
  • Focus on the role of individual entrepreneurs in starting a business
Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

The question requires us to identify the focus areas that traditional analyses of minority businesses are least likely to examine as per the given passage. Let's analyze the options based on the passage provided:

  1. Examine businesses primarily in their social contexts: The passage indicates that this is a characteristic of the sociological analysis, which examines businesses from a group-level perspective and emphasizes social contexts. Traditional analyses, in contrast, do not emphasize the social contextual examination of minority businesses. Hence, this is the correct option that traditional analyses are least likely to do.
  2. Focus on current, rather than historical, examples of business enterprises: The passage does not specifically mention whether traditional analyses focus on current or historical examples. Therefore, it is not explicitly addressed in the passage as something traditional analyses would likely avoid.
  3. Focus on the maintenance of businesses, rather than means of starting them: The passage does not indicate that traditional analyses ignore business maintenance in favor of startup processes. This is not emphasized as a focus for traditional analyses either way.
  4. Focus on the role of individual entrepreneurs in starting a business: Traditional analyses often emphasize the role of individual entrepreneurs, which is contrasted by the passage's highlighting of group-level sociological analyses. Therefore, it is something traditional analyses are likely to do.

Based on the above reasoning, the correct answer is that traditional analyses of minority business are least likely to "Examine businesses primarily in their social contexts". This aligns with the passage, which contrasts the sociological analysis's group and social network focus with the traditional approach.

Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Question: 6

Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about the Irish building and loan associations?

Updated On: Dec 22, 2025
  • They were started by third- or fourth-generation immigrants
  • They originated as offshoots of church-related groups
  • They frequently helped Irish entrepreneurs to finance business not connected with construction
  • They contributed to the employment of many Irish construction workers
Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

The given passage discusses the role of social-group resources, specifically support networks, in the development of minority business enterprises. It illustrates how minority groups often depend on kinship and community ties, providing examples such as rotating credit associations and other ethnic-directed financial institutions.

To answer the question about the Irish building and loan associations, let's analyze the options:

  1. They were started by third- or fourth-generation immigrants.
    • This option is incorrect because the passage mentions that such networks are employed less by third- or fourth-generation immigrants and more by earlier immigrants.
  2. They originated as offshoots of church-related groups.
    • The passage discusses Black banks originating from church-related groups but does not provide evidence that Irish building and loan associations originated similarly. Therefore, this option is not supported by the passage.
  3. They frequently helped Irish entrepreneurs to finance businesses not connected with construction.
    • The passage specifically states that Irish building and loan associations were organized to provide capital for home construction and purchase, focusing on construction-related finance only. This option is incorrect.
  4. They contributed to the employment of many Irish construction workers.
    • This is the correct option. The passage states that Irish building and loan associations not only provided capital for home construction and purchase but also provided work for many Irish home-building contractor firms. This implies employment opportunities for Irish construction workers.

Based on the detailed examination of the passage, the option that can be inferred about Irish building and loan associations is: They contributed to the employment of many Irish construction workers. This conclusion is consistent with the information in the passage regarding the function and impact of these associations.

Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Question: 7

Which of the following statement is NOT correct as per the above passage?

Updated On: Dec 22, 2025
  • A major function of self-help networks is financial support
  • Within the larger ethnic community, rotating credit associations have been used to raise capital
  • This analysis indicates that support networks play a critical role in starting and maintaining minority business enterprises by providing owners with a range of assistance
  • When you need venture funding no one will give any money until you already have a marketable product; in other words, funding comes just when you do not need it
Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

To determine which statement is NOT correct based on the given passage, we must evaluate each option carefully against the information provided in the passage:

  1. Option 1: "A major function of self-help networks is financial support."
    - This statement is confirmed by the passage, which states, "A major function of self-help networks is financial support." Therefore, this option is correct as per the passage.
  2. Option 2: "Within the larger ethnic community, rotating credit associations have been used to raise capital."
    - The passage mentions that "Within the larger ethnic community, rotating credit associations have been used to raise capital." This option directly matches with the passage, so it is also correct.
  3. Option 3: "This analysis indicates that support networks play a critical role in starting and maintaining minority business enterprises by providing owners with a range of assistance."
    - The passage clearly states that support networks play a critical role in starting and maintaining minority business enterprises by providing owners with a range of assistance. Therefore, this statement is correct.
  4. Option 4: "When you need venture funding no one will give any money until you already have a marketable product; in other words, funding comes just when you do not need it."
    - This statement does not align with the information given in the passage. The passage does not mention anything about venture funding related to having a marketable product. As such, this option is not correct as per the passage.

Based on the analysis of each option, the statement that is NOT correct according to the passage is Option 4.

Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Question: 8

According to the passage the sociological analysis contends that

Updated On: Dec 22, 2025
  • Minority business ownership is a group-level phenomenon, in that it is largely dependent upon social-group resources for its development
  • Minority business ownership is not a group-level phenomenon, in that it is largely dependent upon social-group resources for its development (
  • Minority business ownership is an individual phenomenon, in that it is not dependent upon social-group resources for its development
  • Minority business ownership is an individual phenomenon, in that it is independent of social-group resources for its development
Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

The question asks us to identify the contention made by the sociological analysis regarding minority business ownership, as described in the passage.

  1. According to the passage, traditional analyses of minority business are contrasted with the sociological analysis. The latter contends that minority business ownership is not merely an individual effort but a group-level phenomenon.
  2. The passage specifically states that minority business ownership is largely dependent upon social-group resources for its development. This is indicated by the presence of support networks that play a crucial role by providing assistance, including financial support from family and ethnic community resources.
  3. Primary institutions that provide such support networks are characterized by associations based on mutual concern and face-to-face interactions. These include family and community subgroups that provide encouragement and resource pooling.
  4. The sociological analysis further emphasizes the function of self-help networks in providing financial support via family savings, loans, and rotating credit associations, reinforcing the idea that these businesses are nurtured by group resources rather than individual efforts alone.
  5. Based on this understanding, the correct answer is: "Minority business ownership is a group-level phenomenon, in that it is largely dependent upon social-group resources for its development."

Let's rule out the incorrect options:

  • Option 2: Contradicts the passage by stating it is not a group-level phenomenon.
  • Option 3: Incorrect as it mentions independence from social-group resources, which the passage explicitly refutes.
  • Option 4: Incorrect as it describes minority business ownership as an individual phenomenon, contrary to the group-based explanation in the passage.

Therefore, the assertion aligns with the passage's presentation of how minority business ownership relies significantly on social-group resources for support and development.

Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Question: 9

The passage claims that small-scale individual entrepreneurs

Updated On: Dec 22, 2025
  • Actually avoid banks because they assume that commercial institutions charge unreasonably high interest rates
  • Rushes to banks and other financial institutions for loan
  • Avoid National Banks but believe in the private ones
  • Never uses own savings for entrepreneurship and depends on Govt. loan
Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

The question pertains to comprehending specific details from a passage focusing on minority business entrepreneurship and their reliance on various financial resources. The key objective is to identify the statement about small-scale individual entrepreneurs that aligns with the passage's assertions.

Let's analyze the given options against the passage:

  1. Actually avoid banks because they assume that commercial institutions charge unreasonably high interest rates: The passage indicates that individual entrepreneurs may avoid banks due to their perception that commercial institutions either cannot comprehend their needs or charge high interest rates. Therefore, this statement accurately captures this inferred behavior from the passage.
  2. Rushes to banks and other financial institutions for loan: The passage actually suggests the opposite, highlighting that minority entrepreneurs often rely on family funds and community resources rather than rushing to banks.
  3. Avoid National Banks but believe in the private ones: There is no mention in the passage about a preference for private over national banks or avoidance of national banks in particular.
  4. Never uses own savings for entrepreneurship and depends on Govt. loan: The passage mentions the use of personal savings gathered through frugal living as a key element of financial support, which contradicts this option.

Conclusion: Based on the analysis, the correct answer is that small-scale individual entrepreneurs "Actually avoid banks because they assume that commercial institutions charge unreasonably high interest rates." This aligns with the passage's assertion about their reservation towards commercial financial institutions due to perceived high interest rates.

Was this answer helpful?
0
0

Top Questions on Reading Comprehension

View More Questions