Brutalist architecture emerged as a distinct movement in post-war Britain during the 1950s. This architectural style drew significant inspiration from...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Brutalist architecture emerged as a distinct movement in post-war Britain during the 1950s. This architectural style drew significant inspiration from the social philosophy of Le Corbusier, who envisioned buildings as 'machines for living' that could address housing shortages through efficient design. Architects working in the Brutalist tradition were influenced by Le Corbusier's emphasis on raw concrete (béton brut) and his belief that architecture should serve the collective good rather than individual luxury. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, as social housing needs intensified across Europe, Brutalist architecture expanded its scope and methods. The movement's focus on social function ultimately produced buildings that were markedly different from the ornate architectural styles that preceded it.
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
It traces the evolution of an architectural movement.
It compares different housing policies across Europe.
It explains how to construct buildings from concrete.
It profiles the career of a famous architect.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Brutalist architecture emerged as a distinct movement in post-war Britain during the 1950s.' |
|
| 'This architectural style drew significant inspiration from the social philosophy of Le Corbusier, who envisioned buildings as 'machines for living' that could address housing shortages through efficient design.' |
|
| 'Architects working in the Brutalist tradition were influenced by Le Corbusier's emphasis on raw concrete (béton brut) and his belief that architecture should serve the collective good rather than individual luxury.' |
|
| 'Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, as social housing needs intensified across Europe, Brutalist architecture expanded its scope and methods.' |
|
| 'The movement's focus on social function ultimately produced buildings that were markedly different from the ornate architectural styles that preceded it.' |
|
Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The passage traces how Brutalist architecture developed from its 1950s emergence through its expansion in the 1960s-70s, showing its philosophical foundations and ultimate impact.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes Brutalism's origins in 1950s Britain, explains its philosophical roots in Le Corbusier's social ideas, shows how housing needs drove its expansion across Europe in the following decades, and concludes by noting how this social focus created a distinctly different architectural style.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The main purpose of the entire text
What type of answer do we need? The overarching function or goal of the passage as a whole
Any limiting keywords? 'main purpose' indicates we need the primary function, not secondary details
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Looking at our passage analysis, we can see that this text moves chronologically through Brutalist architecture's development
- It starts with emergence in the 1950s, explains the philosophical influences, then moves to expansion in the 1960s-70s, and concludes with the movement's distinctive results
- The passage doesn't just describe what Brutalism is—it shows us how it developed and changed over time
- The key elements the correct answer must have:
- Recognition that this is about an architectural movement (Brutalism)
- Understanding that the passage shows development/change over time
- Focus on the movement itself, not just individual figures or technical details
- The right answer should recognize that we're following Brutalist architecture's development from its origins through its later expansion and impact
It traces the evolution of an architectural movement.
✓ Correct
- Perfectly captures what the passage does—we see Brutalism emerge in the 1950s, develop through Le Corbusier's influence, expand in the 1960s-70s, and ultimately create a new architectural approach
- Matches our prethinking about following the movement's development over time
- 'Traces the evolution' accurately describes the chronological progression we mapped out
It compares different housing policies across Europe.
✗ Incorrect
- The passage mentions housing needs across Europe but doesn't compare different housing policies
- We see Brutalism's response to housing needs, not a comparison of how different countries approached housing policy
- What trap this represents: Students might be tempted because the passage mentions 'social housing needs' and 'across Europe,' but the focus is on architectural development, not policy comparison
It explains how to construct buildings from concrete.
✗ Incorrect
- The passage mentions raw concrete (béton brut) but provides no construction instructions or technical details
- We learn about philosophical influences and historical development, not building methods
- This completely misses the passage's focus on tracing the movement's evolution
It profiles the career of a famous architect.
✗ Incorrect
- While Le Corbusier is mentioned, he's presented as an influence on Brutalism, not as the subject of a biographical profile
- The passage focuses on the architectural movement itself, not on Le Corbusier's career details
- What trap this represents: Students might choose this because Le Corbusier is prominently mentioned, but he serves as context for understanding Brutalism's development, not as the main subject