During research activities, a student compiled these notes:Academic institutions typically employ administrators with extended tenure who influence in...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
During research activities, a student compiled these notes:
- Academic institutions typically employ administrators with extended tenure who influence institutional trajectory across multiple decades.
- Prior to contemporary administrative frameworks, college presidents exercised considerable personal authority.
- Dr. Sarah Mitchell held the position of president at Westfield College located in Ohio.
- Her service spanned from 1889 through 1923.
- Dr. Helen Rodriguez occupied the presidential role at Riverside University in California.
- Her tenure extended from 1902 until 1931.
The student aims to highlight the chronological order in which these two presidents initiated their administrative positions. Which option best utilizes pertinent details from the notes to achieve this objective?
Dr. Mitchell began her presidential role at Westfield College several years prior to Dr. Rodriguez starting her leadership at Riverside University.
Dr. Mitchell's administrative term ended in 1923, whereas Dr. Rodriguez's concluded in 1931.
Prior to contemporary administrative structures, college presidents such as Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Rodriguez exercised considerable authority over their academic institutions.
Between 1889 and 1923, Westfield College experienced the administrative guidance of presidents Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Mitchell.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Academic institutions typically employ administrators with extended tenure who influence institutional trajectory across multiple decades.' |
|
| 'Prior to contemporary administrative frameworks, college presidents exercised considerable personal authority.' |
|
| 'Dr. Sarah Mitchell held the position of president at Westfield College located in Ohio.' |
|
| 'Her service spanned from 1889 through 1923.' |
|
| 'Dr. Helen Rodriguez occupied the presidential role at Riverside University in California.' |
|
| 'Her tenure extended from 1902 until 1931.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The notes provide background on academic administration and specific timeline data for two historical college presidents.
Argument Flow: The notes begin with general context about long-serving administrators and historical presidential authority, then provide specific examples of two presidents with their respective institutions and service dates.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- From our analysis, we know Mitchell started in 1889 and Rodriguez started in 1902. So the correct answer should clearly show that Mitchell began her presidency before Rodriguez began hers.
- It should use the specific details from the notes about their start dates or reference the time gap between when they started.
- The answer should focus on when they initiated their positions, not when they ended or other aspects of their service.
Dr. Mitchell began her presidential role at Westfield College several years prior to Dr. Rodriguez starting her leadership at Riverside University.
✓ Correct
- Directly addresses the chronological order of when they started their roles.
- Correctly identifies Mitchell as starting 'several years prior' to Rodriguez (\(1889 \text{ vs. } 1902 = 13 \text{ years difference}\)).
- Uses pertinent details from the notes about their starting positions.
Dr. Mitchell's administrative term ended in 1923, whereas Dr. Rodriguez's concluded in 1931.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on when their terms ended (1923 and 1931) rather than when they started.
- While this information is from the notes, it doesn't address the chronological order of when they 'initiated their administrative positions.'
Prior to contemporary administrative structures, college presidents such as Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Rodriguez exercised considerable authority over their academic institutions.
✗ Incorrect
- Simply restates general background information about presidential authority.
- Doesn't address chronological order at all.
- Fails to use the specific timeline details that would show when each president started.
Between 1889 and 1923, Westfield College experienced the administrative guidance of presidents Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Mitchell.
✗ Incorrect
- Contains a major factual error - claims both presidents worked at Westfield College.
- Rodriguez actually worked at Riverside University in California.