Ancient Roman engineers constructed concrete buildings and infrastructure that exhibit extraordinary longevity, with numerous structures and water del...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Ancient Roman engineers constructed concrete buildings and infrastructure that exhibit extraordinary longevity, with numerous structures and water delivery systems remaining intact after two thousand years, whereas contemporary concrete construction commonly degrades within several decades. Building professionals historically attributed this enhanced permanence to exclusive limestone deposits available to Roman constructors, yet mineralogical analysis has demonstrated that present-day concrete utilizes limestone extracted from identical geological strata employed in Roman times. Systematic examination of Roman construction locations, nevertheless, has uncovered specialized blending protocols and hardening techniques recorded in historical documents, suggesting that ____________
Which choice most logically completes the text?
Roman constructions were presumably not regarded as more enduring than alternative structures from their era.
current concrete would attain comparable permanence if alternative limestone deposits were employed.
the outstanding longevity of Roman concrete results from expert construction methodologies utilized by historical builders.
present-day construction practices duplicate the precise techniques employed by Roman engineers.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Ancient Roman engineers constructed concrete buildings and infrastructure that exhibit extraordinary longevity, with numerous structures and water delivery systems remaining intact after two thousand years," |
|
| "whereas contemporary concrete construction commonly degrades within several decades." |
|
| "Building professionals historically attributed this enhanced permanence to exclusive limestone deposits available to Roman constructors," |
|
| "yet mineralogical analysis has demonstrated that present-day concrete utilizes limestone extracted from identical geological strata employed in Roman times." |
|
| "Systematic examination of Roman construction locations, nevertheless, has uncovered specialized blending protocols and hardening techniques recorded in historical documents," |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Roman concrete's exceptional durability cannot be explained by different materials, leading researchers to discover that specialized construction techniques may be the real reason.
Argument Flow: The passage moves from establishing Roman concrete's superiority, to debunking the traditional limestone explanation, to presenting new evidence about specialized Roman techniques that points toward a different explanation for their concrete's longevity.
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 passage has established: Roman concrete is incredibly durable, we thought it was due to special limestone, but that theory was proven wrong since they used the same limestone we use today
- However, researchers then discovered specialized construction techniques in historical documents
- The right answer should connect these newly discovered techniques to explaining Roman concrete's superior durability
Roman constructions were presumably not regarded as more enduring than alternative structures from their era.
✗ Incorrect
Claims Roman constructions weren't seen as more durable - contradicts the entire premise
current concrete would attain comparable permanence if alternative limestone deposits were employed.
✗ Incorrect
Suggests using different limestone would help - contradicts the finding that identical limestone is used
the outstanding longevity of Roman concrete results from expert construction methodologies utilized by historical builders.
✓ Correct
States that expert construction methodologies explain Roman concrete's longevity - perfectly matches our prethinking and logically follows from the evidence
present-day construction practices duplicate the precise techniques employed by Roman engineers.
✗ Incorrect
Claims current practices duplicate Roman techniques - contradicts the premise that modern concrete degrades quickly