Bicycles were first mass-produced in the late nineteenth century throughout Europe and North America, allowing individuals remarkable freedom to trave...

GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions

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Bicycles were first mass-produced in the late nineteenth century throughout Europe and North America, allowing individuals remarkable freedom to travel longer distances quickly and comfortably. This freedom, coupled with the affordability of the vehicle, made the bicycle immensely popular. Individuals were able to live farther from their workplaces, easily visit neighboring towns, and participate in new leisure and sport activities. Bicycling quickly became a popular social endeavor, with enthusiasts forming local cycling clubs to enjoy these newfound activities with others.

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

The widespread adoption of the bicycle in the late nineteenth century provided new opportunities for people.

The affordability of the bicycle in the late nineteenth century made it the preferred way to travel.

The popularity of the bicycle in the late nineteenth century gave rise to the first cycling clubs.

The mass production of the bicycle in the late nineteenth century made it safer for people to use.

Solution

Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage

Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table

Text from Passage	Analysis
"Bicycles were first mass-produced in the late nineteenth century throughout Europe and North America, allowing individuals remarkable freedom to travel longer distances quickly and comfortably."	What it says: Mass production late 1800s gave people freedom to travel far/fast/comfy What it does: Introduces when and how bicycles became widely available and their immediate benefit What it is: Historical context + primary benefit
"This freedom, coupled with the affordability of the vehicle, made the bicycle immensely popular."	What it says: Freedom + cheap price = very popular What it does: Explains why bicycles became so widely adopted What it is: Cause-effect explanation
"Individuals were able to live farther from their workplaces, easily visit neighboring towns, and participate in new leisure and sport activities."	What it says: People could: live farther from work, visit nearby towns, do new leisure/sports What it does: Provides specific examples of how this freedom changed people's lives What it is: Concrete evidence/examples
"Bicycling quickly became a popular social endeavor, with enthusiasts forming local cycling clubs to enjoy these newfound activities with others."	What it says: Biking = social activity, cycling clubs formed What it does: Shows how individual benefits expanded into community activities What it is: Social consequence/extension

Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements

Main Point: The mass production of bicycles in the late nineteenth century created numerous new opportunities that transformed how people lived, traveled, and socialized.

Argument Flow: The passage moves from the historical development (mass production) to the key factors that made bicycles popular (freedom and affordability), then provides specific examples of how this changed people's daily lives, and finally shows how individual benefits expanded into community social activities.

Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely

What's being asked? The main idea of the entire text - the central message that ties together all the details in the passage.

What type of answer do we need? A broad statement that captures the overall significance of bicycle mass production, not just one specific detail or benefit.

Any limiting keywords? Main Point or Purpose (entire)

Step 3: Prethink the Answer

The correct answer needs to capture that bicycle mass production in the late 1800s was significant because it gave people new possibilities they didn't have before
The passage shows multiple ways this happened - travel freedom, affordability, living arrangements, social activities, and community building
The key is that all of these represent new opportunities or possibilities that emerged from this technological development
The answer should acknowledge both the time period (late nineteenth century) and the broad range of positive changes that resulted, rather than focusing on just one specific benefit like affordability or social clubs

Answer Choices Explained

The widespread adoption of the bicycle in the late nineteenth century provided new opportunities for people.

✓ Correct

Captures the comprehensive impact with "new opportunities for people"
Includes the key time frame "late nineteenth century"
Uses "widespread adoption" which connects to the mass production and popularity discussed
Matches our prethinking perfectly

The affordability of the bicycle in the late nineteenth century made it the preferred way to travel.

✗ Incorrect

Too narrow, focuses only on affordability making it the "preferred way to travel"
Misses all the other opportunities like living farther from work, leisure activities, and social clubs

The popularity of the bicycle in the late nineteenth century gave rise to the first cycling clubs.

✗ Incorrect

Extremely narrow, only mentions cycling clubs which are mentioned in just the final sentence as one result of bicycle popularity
Ignores the broader opportunities

The mass production of the bicycle in the late nineteenth century made it safer for people to use.

✗ Incorrect

Introduces "safety" which is never mentioned in the passage
Completely misrepresents what the passage actually discusses

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