The following text is adapted from a graduate student's memoir about academic planning. After months of research, Marcus had finally...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The following text is adapted from a graduate student's memoir about academic planning. After months of research, Marcus had finally committed to pursuing a doctorate in environmental engineering. He had already selected his preferred universities and secured strong recommendation letters. His remaining challenge was to pinpoint the application deadlines that would maximize his acceptance chances while accommodating his current research obligations.
As used in the text, what does the word "pinpoint" most nearly mean?
Locate
Mark
Choose
Calculate
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The following text is adapted from a graduate student's memoir about academic planning." |
|
| "After months of research, Marcus had finally committed to pursuing a doctorate in environmental engineering." |
|
| "He had already selected his preferred universities and secured strong recommendation letters." |
|
| "His remaining challenge was to pinpoint the application deadlines that would maximize his acceptance chances while accommodating his current research obligations." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map:
[CONTEXT: Grad student memoir] → [MAIN CHARACTER: Marcus + PhD decision] → [PROGRESS MADE: Schools chosen, letters secured] → [REMAINING TASK: Select optimal deadlines]
Main Point: Marcus has completed most of his PhD application preparation but still needs to determine which application deadlines will best serve his goals.
Argument Flow: The passage sets up Marcus's situation by showing his progress through PhD planning, then focuses on his final challenge of strategically selecting application deadlines that balance his acceptance chances with his current work commitments.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? This is a words-in-context question asking us to determine what "pinpoint" means as it's used in the final sentence.
What type of answer do we need? We need to consider how the word functions in the specific context of Marcus needing to select application deadlines that balance multiple factors.
Any limiting keywords? None specified.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- In context, Marcus needs to figure out which specific deadlines work best for his situation
- He's not just finding them randomly - he needs to carefully determine which ones will "maximize his acceptance chances while accommodating his current research obligations"
- This requires making a strategic selection from available options
- The word "pinpoint" here suggests choosing or determining the exact right deadlines from among all possibilities
- It's about making a precise selection based on his criteria
- The right answer should capture the idea of making a careful selection or choice from available options
Locate
- "Locate" suggests finding where something is positioned
- The deadlines aren't lost or hidden - they're publicly available information
- This misses the strategic selection aspect of what Marcus needs to do
Mark
- "Mark" implies making a notation or indication on something
- This suggests a more passive action of noting deadlines
- Doesn't capture the decision-making process Marcus faces
Choose
- "Choose" perfectly captures what Marcus needs to do - select which specific deadlines work best
- Matches the context of strategic decision-making between multiple options
- Fits with the idea of maximizing acceptance chances while balancing obligations
Calculate
- "Calculate" implies mathematical computation
- While there might be some analysis involved, the core task is selection, not computation
- Misrepresents the nature of Marcus's challenge