Archaeologists studying the ancient city of Pompeii in Italy recently discovered a well-preserved food shop known as a thermopolium. The...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Archaeologists studying the ancient city of Pompeii in Italy recently discovered a well-preserved food shop known as a thermopolium. The site contains food remains, artworks, and decorations. These items give researchers a better understanding of what daily life in Pompeii may have been like. For example, the archaeologists found a ceramic jar that they believe likely contained a meat and seafood stew.
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
To compare ancient artworks with modern ones
To discuss the political system of Italy
To present a recent archaeological discovery
To describe a region's climate
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Archaeologists studying the ancient city of Pompeii in Italy recently discovered a well-preserved food shop known as a thermopolium." |
|
| "The site contains food remains, artworks, and decorations." |
|
| "These items give researchers a better understanding of what daily life in Pompeii may have been like." |
|
| "For example, the archaeologists found a ceramic jar that they believe likely contained a meat and seafood stew." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Archaeologists recently discovered a well-preserved food shop in Pompeii that provides new insights into ancient daily life.
Argument Flow: The text announces a recent archaeological discovery, catalogs what was found at the site, explains why these findings matter for understanding ancient life, and provides a specific example to illustrate the discovery's significance.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
- What's being asked? The main purpose of the entire text
- What type of answer do we need? The overall goal or function the text serves
- Any limiting keywords? "Main purpose" means we need the primary function, not a minor detail
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The text announces and describes a recent archaeological discovery
- It explains what was found and why it's significant for understanding the past
- The whole text is organized around presenting this new finding to readers
So the right answer should indicate that this text is about presenting or discussing a recent archaeological discovery.
To compare ancient artworks with modern ones
- Claims the text compares ancient and modern artworks
- The text mentions artworks were found but makes no comparisons with modern pieces
- This represents a trap where students might see "artworks" mentioned and jump to this choice without noticing no comparison is made
To discuss the political system of Italy
- Claims the text discusses Italy's political system
- While Pompeii is in Italy, the text focuses entirely on archaeological findings, not politics
- This choice is clearly off-topic
To present a recent archaeological discovery
- States the purpose is to present a recent archaeological discovery
- Perfectly matches our analysis: the text announces the thermopolium discovery, describes what was found, and explains its significance
- This captures exactly what the entire passage does from start to finish
To describe a region's climate
- Claims the text describes a region's climate
- The text mentions Pompeii's location but says nothing about weather or climate
- This choice is completely unrelated to the passage content