Building inspectors note that structures lacking proper upkeep exhibit clear signs of decay—fractured bases, flaking exteriors, and warped roofing. __...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Building inspectors note that structures lacking proper upkeep exhibit clear signs of decay—fractured bases, flaking exteriors, and warped roofing. _______ buildings, by comparison, show sturdy foundations, pristine surfaces, and aligned structural elements.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
modern
costly
well-maintained
spacious
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Building inspectors note that structures lacking proper upkeep exhibit clear signs of decay—fractured bases, flaking exteriors, and warped roofing." |
|
| [MISSING WORD] |
|
| "buildings, by comparison, show sturdy foundations, pristine surfaces, and aligned structural elements." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Building inspectors can clearly distinguish between buildings that lack proper care and those that receive adequate attention based on visible structural conditions.
Argument Flow: The passage sets up a clear contrast between two types of buildings. First, it describes buildings lacking maintenance and their visible problems. Then it uses "by comparison" to signal a contrast, describing buildings with opposite characteristics.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Looking at our passage analysis, we have a clear contrast structure
- The first sentence describes buildings with maintenance problems
- Then "by comparison" signals that we're about to describe the opposite type of building
- The missing word needs to describe buildings that are the exact opposite of those "lacking proper upkeep"
- So the right answer should describe buildings that receive adequate care or maintenance
modern
✗ Incorrect
- "Modern" refers to being recent or contemporary
- This doesn't create the logical contrast needed
costly
✗ Incorrect
- "Costly" refers to being expensive
- Price doesn't necessarily correlate with maintenance quality
well-maintained
✓ Correct
- Creates the perfect logical contrast with "lacking proper upkeep"
- Explains why these buildings have good structural features
spacious
✗ Incorrect
- "Spacious" refers to size and room
- Building size has no relationship to maintenance quality or structural condition