Art critics once ______ that Abstract Expressionism emerged purely as a reaction against European artistic traditions, viewing it as uniquely...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Art critics once ______ that Abstract Expressionism emerged purely as a reaction against European artistic traditions, viewing it as uniquely American in both inspiration and execution. Subsequent scholarship by Dr. Martinez, though, demonstrates clear connections to earlier European avant-garde movements.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
doubted
overlooked
contended
abandoned
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Art critics once ______' |
|
| [MISSING WORD] |
|
| 'that Abstract Expressionism emerged purely as a reaction against European artistic traditions' |
|
| 'viewing it as uniquely American in both inspiration and execution' |
|
| 'Subsequent scholarship by Dr. Martinez, though,' |
|
| 'demonstrates clear connections to earlier European avant-garde movements' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map:
[CRITICS' PAST VIEW] → Abstract Expressionism = purely anti-European → Completely American in origin → [CONTRAST SIGNAL: 'though'] → [NEW SCHOLARSHIP] → Dr. Martinez shows European connections
Main Point: Art critics' view that Abstract Expressionism was purely American has been challenged by scholarship showing European connections.
Argument Flow: The passage presents a classic 'old view vs. new evidence' structure. Critics held one position about Abstract Expressionism being purely American, but Dr. Martinez's research has revealed European influences that contradict this view.
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 missing word needs to describe what art critics did with their view about Abstract Expressionism
- From our analysis, we know critics held a specific position that was later challenged by Dr. Martinez's scholarship
- The sentence structure suggests the critics actively expressed or argued this view
- So the right answer should indicate that critics argued or claimed this view about Abstract Expressionism being purely American
doubted
✗ Incorrect
- This would mean critics were uncertain about the view, which contradicts the sentence structure showing critics held a definite position
overlooked
✗ Incorrect
- This means failed to notice or ignored something, which doesn't fit the context where critics are actively holding and expressing a view
contended
✓ Correct
- Means argued, claimed, or asserted
- Perfectly fits critics actively holding and expressing their view and creates logical contrast with Dr. Martinez's contradicting scholarship
abandoned
✗ Incorrect
- Means gave up or discarded
- Would suggest critics stopped believing the view, but the contrast with 'subsequent scholarship' indicates the view was still held when Dr. Martinez's work emerged