A student is writing a paper about One Night in Miami..., a 2020 film directed by Regina King and written...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
A student is writing a paper about One Night in Miami..., a 2020 film directed by Regina King and written by Kemp Powers. Powers adapted the film's screenplay from his 2013 play, which he wrote after learning about a 1964 meeting that took place in Miami, Florida, between four prominent figures of the Civil Rights movement: Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke. The student claims that although Powers was inspired by this meeting, the film is best understood not as a precise retelling of historical events but rather as a largely imagined but informed representation of them.
Which quotation from an article about One Night in Miami... would be the most effective evidence for the student to include in support of this claim?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "A student is writing a paper about One Night in Miami..., a 2020 film directed by Regina King and written by Kemp Powers." |
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| "Powers adapted the film's screenplay from his 2013 play, which he wrote after learning about a 1964 meeting that took place in Miami, Florida, between four prominent figures of the Civil Rights movement: Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke." |
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| "The student claims that although Powers was inspired by this meeting, the film is best understood not as a precise retelling of historical events but rather as a largely imagined but informed representation of them." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: A student argues that One Night in Miami should be viewed as an imaginative but well-researched interpretation rather than a factually accurate historical account.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? We need to identify which quotation would serve as the most effective evidence to support the student's specific claim.
What type of answer do we need? Evidence that demonstrates the film is "not a precise retelling" AND "largely imagined but informed."
Any limiting keywords? Content Genre: Humanities & Social Sciences, Content Format: Text-only, Question Type: Strengthen / Weaken, Language Complexity: Moderate
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The student's claim has two key components: the film is NOT a precise historical retelling, AND it IS a largely imagined but informed representation
- The best evidence would show Powers lacked detailed historical information but used research and knowledge to create plausible scenarios
- This discusses Powers' initial writing plans, not his approach to historical accuracy
- Doesn't address the core distinction in the student's claim
- Awards and nominations are irrelevant to questions of historical accuracy
- Doesn't support either part of the student's claim
- Describes thematic content but not historical accuracy
- Could describe either a precise retelling OR an imagined scenario
- Directly states Powers "could find only the most superficial historical details" - supports "not a precise retelling"
- Shows he "read extensively about the four individuals" - demonstrates research behind "informed representation"
- Explains he worked "to portray what might have happened" - captures "largely imagined" aspect with educated imagination
- This supports both key elements of the student's claim