While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Archaeologists Dr. Elena Vasquez and Dr. Michael Thompson examined how...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Archaeologists Dr. Elena Vasquez and Dr. Michael Thompson examined how ancient civilizations adapted their pottery techniques over time.
- They employed comparative analysis of ceramic fragments from multiple excavation sites.
- Their research revealed that artisans developed the ability to shift between two fundamental approaches to clay preparation.
- In one approach, potters focused on immediate plasticity requirements for the vessel being shaped.
- In the other approach, potters considered long-term durability factors that would affect the finished piece over time.
The student wants to summarize the study's findings. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Vasquez and Thompson showed that ancient artisans could shift between focusing on immediate plasticity needs and considering long-term durability factors in their pottery work.
Through comparative analysis of ceramic fragments, Vasquez and Thompson examined how ancient civilizations adapted their pottery techniques.
Vasquez and Thompson found that potters focused on immediate plasticity requirements when shaping vessels at excavation sites.
Ancient pottery techniques, according to Vasquez and Thompson's comparative analysis, involved artisans who developed dual approaches to clay preparation.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Archaeologists Dr. Elena Vasquez and Dr. Michael Thompson examined how ancient civilizations adapted their pottery techniques over time." |
|
| "They employed comparative analysis of ceramic fragments from multiple excavation sites." |
|
| "Their research revealed that artisans developed the ability to shift between two fundamental approaches to clay preparation." |
|
| "In one approach, potters focused on immediate plasticity requirements for the vessel being shaped." |
|
| "In the other approach, potters considered long-term durability factors that would affect the finished piece over time." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Vasquez and Thompson's research revealed that ancient pottery artisans developed the ability to shift between focusing on immediate shaping needs versus long-term durability considerations.
Argument Flow: The notes begin by establishing the researchers and their focus on how pottery techniques changed over time. They then describe their comparative methodology using ceramic fragments from multiple sites. Finally, they present their key discovery that artisans could flexibly switch between two fundamental approaches to clay preparation - one prioritizing immediate workability and the other emphasizing long-term durability.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
- What's being asked? A summary of the study's findings (results/discoveries)
- What type of answer do we need? A statement that captures the main research results
- Any limiting keywords? "findings" - this specifically asks for results, not methods or context
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The key finding from our analysis was that artisans developed the ability to shift between two fundamental approaches - one focusing on immediate plasticity needs and the other on long-term durability factors
- The right answer should capture this core discovery about the flexibility/adaptability of ancient pottery techniques
Vasquez and Thompson showed that ancient artisans could shift between focusing on immediate plasticity needs and considering long-term durability factors in their pottery work.
✓ Correct
- Directly states the main finding: artisans could shift between the two approaches
- Includes both key elements: immediate plasticity needs and long-term durability factors
- This matches our prethinking perfectly by focusing on the study's discovery
Through comparative analysis of ceramic fragments, Vasquez and Thompson examined how ancient civilizations adapted their pottery techniques.
✗ Incorrect
- Describes what the researchers examined and their method, not their findings
- Focuses on the research process rather than the results
- Missing the key discovery about artisans' ability to shift between approaches
Vasquez and Thompson found that potters focused on immediate plasticity requirements when shaping vessels at excavation sites.
✗ Incorrect
- Only mentions one approach (immediate plasticity) while ignoring the other
- Fails to capture the key finding about shifting between approaches
Ancient pottery techniques, according to Vasquez and Thompson's comparative analysis, involved artisans who developed dual approaches to clay preparation.
✗ Incorrect
- While it mentions "dual approaches," it's less clear about what the finding actually was
- Doesn't explicitly state that artisans could shift between the approaches, which was the key discovery