The following text is adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel Treasure Island. Bill is a sailor staying at the...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
The following text is adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel Treasure Island. Bill is a sailor staying at the Admiral Benbow, an inn run by the narrator's parents.
Every day when [Bill] came back from his stroll he would ask if any seafaring men had gone by along the road. At first we thought it was the want of company of his own kind that made him ask this question, but at last we began to see he was desirous to avoid them. When a seaman did [stay] at the Admiral Benbow (as now and then some did) he would look in at him through the curtained door before he entered the parlour; and he was always sure to be as silent as a mouse when any such was present.
According to the text, why does Bill regularly ask about 'seafaring men'?
He's hoping to find an old friend and fellow sailor.
He's trying to secure a job as part of the crew on a new ship.
He isn't sure that other guests at the inn will be welcoming of sailors.
He doesn't want to encounter any other sailor unexpectedly.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Every day when [Bill] came back from his stroll he would ask if any seafaring men had gone by along the road." |
|
| "At first we thought it was the want of company of his own kind that made him ask this question," |
|
| "but at last we began to see he was desirous to avoid them." |
|
| "When a seaman did [stay] at the Admiral Benbow (as now and then some did) he would look in at him through the curtained door before he entered the parlour;" |
|
| "and he was always sure to be as silent as a mouse when any such was present." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Bill regularly asks about seafaring men not because he wants their company, but because he wants to avoid encountering them.
Argument Flow: The passage starts by establishing Bill's routine of asking about sailors, then takes us through the narrator's evolving understanding - from thinking Bill wanted company to realizing he actually wanted to avoid other sailors, supported by specific examples of his cautious and secretive behavior around them.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The reason behind Bill's regular questioning about seafaring men
What type of answer do we need? His motivation or purpose for this behavior
Any limiting keywords? "According to the text" - we need to stick to what's directly stated, and "regularly ask" - focusing on his consistent pattern of questioning
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The passage clearly states that Bill wants to "avoid" other sailors, not seek them out
- His behavior shows he's trying to stay away from encounters - he spies through doors and stays silent
- He asks about seafaring men so he can know when to avoid areas or situations where he might encounter them
- So the right answer should explain that Bill asks these questions as a way to avoid unexpected encounters with other sailors
He's hoping to find an old friend and fellow sailor.
- This suggests Bill wants to find sailor friends
- This directly contradicts the passage, which states he's "desirous to avoid them"
- Students might be tempted by this if they only read the first part about "want of company" without continuing to the correction
He's trying to secure a job as part of the crew on a new ship.
- Suggests Bill is job-hunting for ship work
- No evidence in the passage about employment or joining crews
- The passage focuses on avoidance, not opportunity-seeking
He isn't sure that other guests at the inn will be welcoming of sailors.
- This focuses on other guests' attitudes toward sailors
- The passage is about Bill's own desire to avoid sailors, not others' reactions
- Misses the point entirely about Bill's motivations
He doesn't want to encounter any other sailor unexpectedly.
- Matches exactly with "he was desirous to avoid them"
- Explains why he asks daily - to prevent surprise encounters
- Supported by his cautious behavior (spying through doors, staying silent)