Comprehension
Recent studies of the gender gap in entrepreneurship have produced somewhat conflicting re-
sults. Some studies suggest that the gender gap is narrowing, while others suggest that it
is widening. One difficulty in interpreting these results is that the studies often measure en-
trepreneurship in different ways. Some studies define entrepreneurs as those who start their
own businesses, while others define them as those who own or manage businesses. Moreover,
studies vary in their focus, with some examining the proportion of entrepreneurs who are women
and others examining the proportion of women who are entrepreneurs. Despite these differ-
ences, however, the studies generally agree that women are less likely than men to become
entrepreneurs. Several factors have been proposed to explain this gender gap. Some scholars
point to differences in access to financial capital, arguing that women are less likely than men
to be able to obtain the funding needed to start or grow a business. Others point to differences
in human capital, suggesting that women are less likely than men to have the education, expe-
rience, and skills needed for entrepreneurship. Still others point to differences in social capital,
arguing that women are less likely than men to have access to the networks and connections
that can facilitate entrepreneurial success.
Question: 1
The primary purpose of the passage is to
The primary purpose of the passage is to
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For primary purpose questions, look at the overall structure of the passage. Often, the introduction states a problem or finding, and the body paragraphs elaborate on it or offer explanations. The correct answer will summarize this high-level structure.
Updated On: Sep 30, 2025
- discuss the findings of recent studies on the gender gap in entrepreneurship and summarize the explanations proposed for this gap
- argue that the gender gap in entrepreneurship is narrowing rather than widening
- explain the different ways in which entrepreneurship has been measured in studies of the gender gap
- criticize the methodology used in recent studies of the gender gap in entrepreneurship
- compare the factors that contribute to the gender gap in entrepreneurship with those that contribute to the gender gap in other fields
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks for the primary purpose of Passage 2. We need to identify the main goal of the author in writing this text.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The passage is structured in two main parts.
Part 1 (First half): It discusses the "findings of recent studies." It mentions conflicting results (narrowing vs. widening gap), difficulties in interpretation (different definitions), but also a point of general agreement (women are less likely to be entrepreneurs).
Part 2 (Second half): It presents the "explanations proposed for this gap." It summarizes three main factors: differences in financial capital, human capital, and social capital.
Option (A) perfectly encapsulates this two-part structure: discussing findings and summarizing explanations.
Option (B) is incorrect because the author presents both sides (narrowing vs. widening) without taking a stance.
Option (C) describes a detail from the first part of the passage but is not the overall purpose.
Option (D) is incorrect. The author explains the methodological differences ("difficulty in interpreting") but does not "criticize" them. The tone is descriptive, not critical.
Option (E) is incorrect as the passage does not compare the gender gap in entrepreneurship with gaps in other fields.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The passage's structure and content align perfectly with the description in option (A).
This question asks for the primary purpose of Passage 2. We need to identify the main goal of the author in writing this text.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The passage is structured in two main parts.
Part 1 (First half): It discusses the "findings of recent studies." It mentions conflicting results (narrowing vs. widening gap), difficulties in interpretation (different definitions), but also a point of general agreement (women are less likely to be entrepreneurs).
Part 2 (Second half): It presents the "explanations proposed for this gap." It summarizes three main factors: differences in financial capital, human capital, and social capital.
Option (A) perfectly encapsulates this two-part structure: discussing findings and summarizing explanations.
Option (B) is incorrect because the author presents both sides (narrowing vs. widening) without taking a stance.
Option (C) describes a detail from the first part of the passage but is not the overall purpose.
Option (D) is incorrect. The author explains the methodological differences ("difficulty in interpreting") but does not "criticize" them. The tone is descriptive, not critical.
Option (E) is incorrect as the passage does not compare the gender gap in entrepreneurship with gaps in other fields.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The passage's structure and content align perfectly with the description in option (A).
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Question: 2
The passage mentions which of the following as a difficulty in interpreting the results of studies on the gender gap in entrepreneurship?
The passage mentions which of the following as a difficulty in interpreting the results of studies on the gender gap in entrepreneurship?
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When a question asks what the passage "mentions" or "states," look for a near-perfect match in the text. Use keywords from the question like "difficulty" to scan the passage and pinpoint the exact sentence that contains the answer.
Updated On: Sep 30, 2025
- The studies often produce conflicting results.
- The studies often fail to distinguish between different types of entrepreneurs.
- The studies often measure entrepreneurship in different ways.
- The studies often focus on different industries.
- The studies often rely on small sample sizes.
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This is a specific detail question. We need to find the part of the passage that explicitly lists a difficulty in interpreting study results.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The passage directly addresses this point. The third sentence states: "One difficulty in interpreting these results is that the studies often measure entrepreneurship in different ways." The following sentences give examples of these different measurements (starting a business vs. owning/managing one).
Let's analyze the options:
(A) Conflicting results are the *outcome* that needs interpretation, not the *difficulty* in interpreting them. The difficulty explains *why* the results might conflict.
(B) This is related to (C), but (C) is the broader and more direct answer. The failure to distinguish types of entrepreneurs is a consequence of measuring entrepreneurship differently.
(C) This is a direct quote/paraphrase from the passage.
(D) The passage does not mention a focus on different industries.
(E) The passage does not mention sample sizes.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Option (C) is explicitly stated in the text as a "difficulty in interpreting these results."
This is a specific detail question. We need to find the part of the passage that explicitly lists a difficulty in interpreting study results.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The passage directly addresses this point. The third sentence states: "One difficulty in interpreting these results is that the studies often measure entrepreneurship in different ways." The following sentences give examples of these different measurements (starting a business vs. owning/managing one).
Let's analyze the options:
(A) Conflicting results are the *outcome* that needs interpretation, not the *difficulty* in interpreting them. The difficulty explains *why* the results might conflict.
(B) This is related to (C), but (C) is the broader and more direct answer. The failure to distinguish types of entrepreneurs is a consequence of measuring entrepreneurship differently.
(C) This is a direct quote/paraphrase from the passage.
(D) The passage does not mention a focus on different industries.
(E) The passage does not mention sample sizes.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Option (C) is explicitly stated in the text as a "difficulty in interpreting these results."
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Question: 3
According to the passage, which of the following is a factor that has been proposed to explain the gender gap in entrepreneurship?
According to the passage, which of the following is a factor that has been proposed to explain the gender gap in entrepreneurship?
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For questions that ask about examples, factors, or reasons mentioned in the text, go to the section where the author introduces a list. Signal words like "several factors," "for example," or "these include" will help you locate the relevant information quickly.
Updated On: Sep 30, 2025
- Differences in motivation
- Differences in risk aversion
- Differences in access to financial capital
- Differences in management style
- Differences in career goals
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This is another specific detail question asking for one of the explanations for the gender gap that is mentioned in the passage.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The second half of the passage is dedicated to listing proposed explanations for the gender gap. It states: "Several factors have been proposed to explain this gender gap." It then lists three specific factors:
1. "differences in access to financial capital"
2. "differences in human capital"
3. "differences in social capital"
We need to check which of the options matches this list.
(A) Motivation is not mentioned.
(B) Risk aversion is not mentioned.
(C) "Differences in access to financial capital" is explicitly stated in the passage.
(D) Management style is not mentioned.
(E) Career goals are not mentioned.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Option (C) is directly listed in the passage as a proposed explanation for the gender gap in entrepreneurship.
This is another specific detail question asking for one of the explanations for the gender gap that is mentioned in the passage.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The second half of the passage is dedicated to listing proposed explanations for the gender gap. It states: "Several factors have been proposed to explain this gender gap." It then lists three specific factors:
1. "differences in access to financial capital"
2. "differences in human capital"
3. "differences in social capital"
We need to check which of the options matches this list.
(A) Motivation is not mentioned.
(B) Risk aversion is not mentioned.
(C) "Differences in access to financial capital" is explicitly stated in the passage.
(D) Management style is not mentioned.
(E) Career goals are not mentioned.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Option (C) is directly listed in the passage as a proposed explanation for the gender gap in entrepreneurship.
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