While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Abdulrazak Gurnah was awarded the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature.Gurnah...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Abdulrazak Gurnah was awarded the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature.
- Gurnah was born in Zanzibar in East Africa and currently lives in the United Kingdom.
- Many readers have singled out Gurnah's 1994 book Paradise for praise.
- Paradise is a historical novel about events that occurred in colonial East Africa.
The student wants to introduce Paradise to an audience unfamiliar with the novel and its author. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Abdulrazak Gurnah, who wrote Paradise and later was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, was born in Zanzibar in East Africa and currently lives in the United Kingdom.
Many readers have singled out Abdulrazak Gurnah's 1994 book Paradise, a historical novel about colonial East Africa, for praise.
A much-praised historical novel about colonial East Africa, Paradise (1994) was written by Abdulrazak Gurnah, winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature.
Paradise is a historical novel about events that occurred in colonial East Africa, Abdulrazak Gurnah's homeland.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Abdulrazak Gurnah was awarded the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature.' |
|
| 'Gurnah was born in Zanzibar in East Africa and currently lives in the United Kingdom.' |
|
| 'Many readers have singled out Gurnah's 1994 book Paradise for praise.' |
|
| 'Paradise is a historical novel about events that occurred in colonial East Africa.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: These notes provide key information about Nobel Prize winner Abdulrazak Gurnah and his acclaimed 1994 novel Paradise, which deals with colonial East African history.
Argument Flow: The notes move from establishing Gurnah's literary credentials with his Nobel Prize, to providing his personal background connecting him to East Africa, to introducing his praised novel Paradise and describing its historical focus on colonial East Africa.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? We need to choose the option that most effectively introduces Paradise to readers who don't know the book or author.
What type of answer do we need? An introductory statement that efficiently combines the most relevant information for unfamiliar readers.
Any limiting keywords? 'Most effectively' means we need the best balance of important information, and 'unfamiliar audience' means we should prioritize the most impressive or attention-grabbing details.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- For introducing a book and author to unfamiliar readers, we need the most compelling combination of information
- The right answer should include Gurnah's Nobel Prize (his most impressive credential), the fact that Paradise is praised (establishes the book's quality), and some context about what the book is about (historical novel about colonial East Africa)
- The 1994 date might also be helpful for context
- We want to avoid getting bogged down in less essential biographical details like where Gurnah currently lives, since that doesn't help introduce the book itself
- So the right answer should efficiently combine the author's top credential, the book's positive reception, and what the book is about
Abdulrazak Gurnah, who wrote Paradise and later was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, was born in Zanzibar in East Africa and currently lives in the United Kingdom.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses heavily on biographical details (birthplace, current residence) that don't help introduce the book
- Mentions the Nobel Prize but doesn't establish what makes Paradise worth reading
- What trap this represents: Students might think biographical background is essential for introductions, but for unfamiliar audiences, impressive credentials and book quality matter more
Many readers have singled out Abdulrazak Gurnah's 1994 book Paradise, a historical novel about colonial East Africa, for praise.
✗ Incorrect
- Good focus on the book being praised and provides genre/setting context
- Missing the Nobel Prize credential, which is the most impressive fact about Gurnah
- For an unfamiliar audience, leading with the author's top achievement would be more effective
A much-praised historical novel about colonial East Africa, Paradise (1994) was written by Abdulrazak Gurnah, winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature.
✓ Correct
- Efficiently combines all the most relevant information: Nobel Prize credential, book's praised status, genre, setting, and publication date
- Presents information in logical order: author credential → book praise → book details
- Perfect balance for introducing both author and book to unfamiliar readers
Paradise is a historical novel about events that occurred in colonial East Africa, Abdulrazak Gurnah's homeland.
✗ Incorrect
- Completely omits the Nobel Prize, which is Gurnah's most impressive credential
- Calls East Africa 'Gurnah's homeland' when the notes only say he was born in Zanzibar
- What trap this represents: Students might think connecting the setting to the author's background is clever, but it's less effective than leading with his major literary achievement