While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin at St. Mary's Hospital...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin at St. Mary's Hospital in London.
- In 1940, Howard Florey and Ernst Chain developed methods for mass-producing penicillin.
- Their work made penicillin available as a life-saving antibiotic during World War II.
- Fleming's discovery occurred more than a decade before large-scale production began.
- The mass production techniques transformed penicillin from a laboratory curiosity into a medical breakthrough.
The student wants to emphasize the sequence of developments in penicillin's history. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928, and it became available as a life-saving antibiotic during World War II.
Following Fleming's 1928 discovery of penicillin, Florey and Chain developed mass production methods over a decade later, transforming it into a medical breakthrough.
Howard Florey and Ernst Chain developed methods for mass-producing penicillin in 1940.
Penicillin was discovered at St. Mary's Hospital in London and later became a life-saving antibiotic during World War II.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin at St. Mary's Hospital in London." |
|
| "In 1940, Howard Florey and Ernst Chain developed methods for mass-producing penicillin." |
|
| "Their work made penicillin available as a life-saving antibiotic during World War II." |
|
| "Fleming's discovery occurred more than a decade before large-scale production began." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Penicillin's journey from Fleming's 1928 discovery to a life-saving WWII antibiotic required a decade-long gap before Florey and Chain developed mass production methods that transformed its medical impact.
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 should show the chronological flow from discovery to production to impact
- It needs to include the key players (Fleming for discovery, Florey and Chain for production)
- Must use language that emphasizes the temporal sequence
Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928, and it became available as a life-saving antibiotic during World War II.
✗ Incorrect
- Shows Fleming's 1928 discovery and WWII availability but skips the crucial middle step
- Missing Florey and Chain's contribution entirely
Following Fleming's 1928 discovery of penicillin, Florey and Chain developed mass production methods over a decade later, transforming it into a medical breakthrough.
✓ Correct
- Uses "Following" to establish chronological connection
- Includes all key players: Fleming, Florey, and Chain
- Uses "over a decade later" to emphasize the time sequence
- Shows the complete progression: discovery → development → transformation
Howard Florey and Ernst Chain developed methods for mass-producing penicillin in 1940.
✗ Incorrect
- Only mentions Florey and Chain's 1940 work
- Completely omits Fleming's discovery and the sequential relationship
Penicillin was discovered at St. Mary's Hospital in London and later became a life-saving antibiotic during World War II.
✗ Incorrect
- Mentions discovery location and WWII outcome but misses the development phase
- No mention of the key figures who made mass production possible