The following text is adapted from Nathaniel Hawthorne's 1837 story 'Dr. Heidegger's Experiment.' The main character, a physician, is experimenting...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The following text is adapted from Nathaniel Hawthorne's 1837 story 'Dr. Heidegger's Experiment.' The main character, a physician, is experimenting with rehydrating a dried flower.
At first [the rose] lay lightly on the surface of the fluid, appearing to imbibe none of its moisture. Soon, however, a singular change began to be visible. The crushed and dried petals stirred and assumed a deepening tinge of crimson, as if the flower were reviving from a deathlike slumber.
As used in the text, what does the phrase 'a singular' most nearly mean?
A lonely
A disagreeable
An acceptable
An extraordinary
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| At first [the rose] lay lightly on the surface of the fluid, appearing to imbibe none of its moisture. |
|
| Soon, however, a singular change began to be visible. |
|
| The crushed and dried petals stirred and assumed a deepening tinge of crimson, as if the flower were reviving from a deathlike slumber. |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: A dried rose undergoes a remarkable transformation when placed in a mysterious fluid, appearing to come back to life.
Argument Flow: The passage sets up a contrast between the rose's initial lifeless state and its subsequent dramatic revival. The word 'however' signals this shift, and the detailed description that follows emphasizes how striking and lifelike the change appeared.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The meaning of 'a singular' in the specific context of this passage.
What type of answer do we need? A synonym or definition that fits how 'singular' functions in this sentence.
Any limiting keywords? 'As used in the text' tells us we need to consider the word's meaning within this specific context, not just its general dictionary definition.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Looking at our passage analysis, 'a singular change' comes right after the word 'however,' which signals a contrast with the rose's initial motionless state
- The change being described is the rose appearing to come back to life - its petals moving and turning red
- This isn't just any ordinary change; it's something remarkable and striking enough to be compared to revival from death
- So 'singular' here must mean something like unusual, remarkable, or striking
- The right answer should capture the idea that this change was noteworthy and extraordinary, not ordinary or expected
A lonely
- 'Lonely' doesn't make logical sense when describing a change
- There's nothing in the context about isolation or solitude
- This meaning doesn't fit the sentence structure at all
A disagreeable
- 'Disagreeable' suggests something unpleasant or negative
- The passage describes the change in positive terms - the flower appears to be reviving
- The imagery of revival and deepening crimson suggests beauty, not something disagreeable
An acceptable
- 'Acceptable' suggests something ordinary or adequate
- This contradicts the dramatic contrast set up by 'however'
- An 'acceptable' change wouldn't warrant such detailed, vivid description
An extraordinary
- 'Extraordinary' perfectly captures the remarkable nature of the transformation
- Fits the contrast established by 'however' - moving from no change to something striking
- Matches the dramatic imagery of revival from 'deathlike slumber'
- Explains why the author chose such vivid, detailed description of the change