Born in 1891 to a Quechua-speaking family in the Andes Mountains of Peru, Martín Chambi is today considered to be...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Born in 1891 to a Quechua-speaking family in the Andes Mountains of Peru, Martín Chambi is today considered to be one of the most renowned figures of Latin American photography. In a paper for an art history class, a student claims that Chambi's photographs have considerable ethnographic value—in his work, Chambi was able to capture diverse elements of Peruvian society, representing his subjects with both dignity and authenticity.
Which finding, if true, would most directly support the student's claim?
Chambi took many commissioned portraits of wealthy Peruvians, but he also produced hundreds of images carefully documenting the peoples, sites, and customs of Indigenous communities of the Andes.
Chambi's photographs demonstrate a high level of technical skill, as seen in his strategic use of illumination to create dramatic light and shadow contrasts.
During his lifetime, Chambi was known and celebrated both within and outside his native Peru, as his work was published in places like Argentina, Spain, and Mexico.
Some of the peoples and places Chambi photographed had long been popular subjects for Peruvian photographers.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Born in 1891 to a Quechua-speaking family in the Andes Mountains of Peru, Martín Chambi is today considered to be one of the most renowned figures of Latin American photography. |
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| In a paper for an art history class, a student claims that Chambi's photographs have considerable ethnographic value— |
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| in his work, Chambi was able to capture diverse elements of Peruvian society, representing his subjects with both dignity and authenticity. |
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Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: A student argues that Martín Chambi's photographs have significant ethnographic value because they authentically document diverse elements of Peruvian society with dignity.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which piece of evidence would most directly support the student's claim about ethnographic value
What type of answer do we need? Evidence or findings that would strengthen/validate the student's argument
Any limiting keywords? 'most directly' - we need the strongest, most relevant support
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The student's claim has two key components: Chambi's photographs have ethnographic value because he captured 'diverse elements of Peruvian society' with 'dignity and authenticity.'
- The right evidence should show:
- That Chambi actually documented different segments or groups within Peruvian society
- That his approach demonstrated respectful, authentic representation
- That his work has genuine documentary/ethnographic merit
Chambi took many commissioned portraits of wealthy Peruvians, but he also produced hundreds of images carefully documenting the peoples, sites, and customs of Indigenous communities of the Andes.
✓ Correct
- Shows Chambi photographed both wealthy Peruvians (commissioned portraits) AND Indigenous communities (hundreds of documenting images)
- Directly supports 'diverse elements of Peruvian society' by showing he captured different social groups
- The phrase 'carefully documenting' suggests the dignified, authentic approach the student described
- This is exactly the kind of evidence that would prove the ethnographic diversity claim
Chambi's photographs demonstrate a high level of technical skill, as seen in his strategic use of illumination to create dramatic light and shadow contrasts.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on technical photography skills (illumination, light/shadow contrasts)
- Doesn't address social diversity or ethnographic content
During his lifetime, Chambi was known and celebrated both within and outside his native Peru, as his work was published in places like Argentina, Spain, and Mexico.
✗ Incorrect
- About Chambi's fame and international recognition during his lifetime
- Doesn't provide evidence about the actual content or ethnographic value of his photographs
Some of the peoples and places Chambi photographed had long been popular subjects for Peruvian photographers.
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests his subjects were already 'popular subjects' for other photographers
- This would actually weaken the claim about unique ethnographic value