While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:On January 3, 1959, Alaska became the 49th state to...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- On January 3, 1959, Alaska became the 49th state to join the US.
- On August 21, 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state to join the US.
- A new 50-star US flag was unveiled the same day.
The student wants to emphasize the order in which Alaska and Hawaii became US states. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Alaska, the 49th US state, became a state several months before Hawaii, the 50th state, did.
On August 21, 1959, a new 50-star US flag was unveiled.
The 49th and 50th states to join the US did so in the same year.
The same day that Hawaii became a US state—August 21, 1959—a new US flag was unveiled.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "On January 3, 1959, Alaska became the 49th state to join the US." |
|
| "On August 21, 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state to join the US." |
|
| "A new 50-star US flag was unveiled the same day." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Alaska and Hawaii both achieved statehood in 1959, with Alaska joining first in January and Hawaii following in August.
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
- The correct answer needs to clearly show that Alaska became a state before Hawaii did
- It should make the sequence obvious - first Alaska, then Hawaii
- Since the goal is to "emphasize the order," the answer should highlight the chronological relationship between these two events
Alaska, the 49th US state, became a state several months before Hawaii, the 50th state, did.
✓ Correct
- Explicitly states that Alaska "became a state several months before Hawaii" and identifies Alaska as the 49th state and Hawaii as the 50th state
- The phrase "several months before" directly emphasizes the chronological order
On August 21, 1959, a new 50-star US flag was unveiled.
✗ Incorrect
- Only mentions the flag unveiling on August 21, 1959
- Completely ignores Alaska and provides no information about order
The 49th and 50th states to join the US did so in the same year.
✗ Incorrect
- States both were the "49th and 50th states" but doesn't specify which was which
- Mentions they joined "in the same year" but gives no sense of chronological order within that year
The same day that Hawaii became a US state—August 21, 1959—a new US flag was unveiled.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on Hawaii's statehood date and the flag unveiling
- Mentions only one state, so it cannot show the order between Alaska and Hawaii