While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Allan Houser was a Chiricahua Warm Springs Apache sculptor, illustrator,...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Allan Houser was a Chiricahua Warm Springs Apache sculptor, illustrator, and painter.
- Many of his sculptures featured Native American figures.
- He depicted this subject matter using abstract, modernist forms, developing a distinctive style that influenced many other artists.
- His well-known sculpture Sacred Rain Arrow was pictured on the State of Oklahoma license plate.
The student wants to describe the distinctive style of Houser's sculptures. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Allan Houser was a Chiricahua Warm Springs Apache sculptor, illustrator, and painter." |
|
| "Many of his sculptures featured Native American figures." |
|
| "He depicted this subject matter using abstract, modernist forms, developing a distinctive style that influenced many other artists." |
|
| "His well-known sculpture Sacred Rain Arrow was pictured on the State of Oklahoma license plate." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Allan Houser was a Native American artist who developed a distinctive style using abstract, modernist forms to depict Native American figures.
Argument Flow: The notes establish Houser as a multi-medium Native American artist, then explain that he commonly depicted Native American subjects using abstract, modernist forms that became his distinctive style and influenced others, concluding with a specific example of his recognition.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The student wants to describe the distinctive style of Houser's sculptures.
What type of answer do we need? A description that explains what made Houser's style distinctive, using relevant information from the notes.
Any limiting keywords? "distinctive style" is the key focus - we need to explain what made his approach unique, not just that he had a style or what subjects he chose.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- From our analysis, we know that Houser's distinctive style involved using "abstract, modernist forms" to depict "Native American figures."
- The right answer should mention the abstract, modernist forms (this is what made his style distinctive) and connect this to his subject matter.
- States that he developed a distinctive style for portraying Native American figures
- Doesn't actually describe what that style was - just says he had one
- Misses the key detail about abstract, modernist forms
- Directly describes his style as using "abstract, modernist forms" and connects this technique to his subject matter ("Native American figures")
- Matches our prethinking perfectly
- Focuses on the influence his style had on other artists
- Doesn't describe what his distinctive style actually was
- Students might choose this because influence seems important, but the question asks to describe the style itself, not its impact
- Provides a specific example of his work (Sacred Rain Arrow)
- Doesn't describe the characteristics of his distinctive style
- Gives an instance rather than a description