While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:A small number of US Navy sailors of Filipino descent...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- A small number of US Navy sailors of Filipino descent served during the US Civil War (1861–1865).
- Stephen Amos was born in the Philippines around 1830.
- He enlisted in the US Navy in November 1863.
- Raphael Ignases was born in the Philippines around 1834.
- He enlisted in the US Navy in July 1861.
The student wants to emphasize the historical significance of Stephen Amos's enlistment date. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Both Stephen Amos and Raphael Ignases were US Navy sailors of Filipino descent, but Amos enlisted in the Navy in 1863, two years later than Ignases.
Stephen Amos was a US Navy sailor of Filipino descent, along with Raphael Ignases, who was born in the Philippines around 1834.
Stephen Amos enlisted in the US Navy in 1863, making him one of the few sailors of Filipino descent to serve in the US Civil War (1861–1865).
When Stephen Amos enlisted in the US Navy in November 1863, he joined sailors such as Raphael Ignases, who had been born in the Philippines around 1834.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "A small number of US Navy sailors of Filipino descent served during the US Civil War (1861–1865)." |
|
| "Stephen Amos was born in the Philippines around 1830." |
|
| "He enlisted in the US Navy in November 1863." |
|
| "Raphael Ignases was born in the Philippines around 1834." |
|
| "He enlisted in the US Navy in July 1861." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Research notes document two Filipino sailors who served in the US Navy during the Civil War, providing their birth origins and enlistment dates.
Argument Flow: The notes first establish the historical rarity of Filipino naval service during the Civil War period. Then they present specific examples of two sailors, giving their birth backgrounds and precise enlistment dates to document these rare cases.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The student wants to emphasize the historical significance of Stephen Amos's enlistment date specifically.
What type of answer do we need? A choice that uses the research notes to highlight why Amos's November 1863 enlistment matters historically.
Any limiting keywords? "Most effectively" means we need the choice that best accomplishes the goal, and "relevant information from the notes" means we must use the provided facts appropriately.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- To emphasize the historical significance of Amos's enlistment date, the answer should connect his November 1863 enlistment to the broader historical context
- The key context from our notes is that only "a small number" of Filipino sailors served during the entire Civil War period
- This rarity makes Amos's participation historically significant
Both Stephen Amos and Raphael Ignases were US Navy sailors of Filipino descent, but Amos enlisted in the Navy in 1863, two years later than Ignases.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on comparing Amos's timing to Ignases (two years later)
- Misses the historical significance angle entirely - treats this as a simple comparison rather than emphasizing why Amos's date matters historically
Stephen Amos was a US Navy sailor of Filipino descent, along with Raphael Ignases, who was born in the Philippines around 1834.
✗ Incorrect
- Doesn't mention Amos's enlistment date at all
- Can't emphasize his enlistment date if it's not even included
Stephen Amos enlisted in the US Navy in 1863, making him one of the few sailors of Filipino descent to serve in the US Civil War (1861–1865).
✓ Correct
- Includes Amos's 1863 enlistment date as requested
- Connects his service to the historical context that makes it significant: being "one of the few sailors of Filipino descent to serve in the US Civil War"
- Directly emphasizes the historical significance by showing he was part of a rare group during this important historical period
When Stephen Amos enlisted in the US Navy in November 1863, he joined sailors such as Raphael Ignases, who had been born in the Philippines around 1834.
✗ Incorrect
- Mentions his November 1863 enlistment date but focuses on him "joining" Ignases rather than the historical significance of the timing