While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes: Cambodia's Angkor Wat was built in the 1100s to...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Cambodia's Angkor Wat was built in the 1100s to honor the Hindu god Vishnu.
- It has been a Buddhist temple since the sixteenth century.
- Decorrelation stretch analysis is a novel digital imaging technique that enhances the contrast between colors in a photograph.
- Archaeologist Noel Hidalgo Tan applied decorrelation stretch analysis to photographs he had taken of Angkor Wat's plaster walls.
- Tan's analysis revealed hundreds of images unknown to researchers.
The student wants to present Tan's research to an audience unfamiliar with Angkor Wat. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Tan photographed Angkor Wat's plaster walls and then applied decorrelation stretch analysis to the photographs.
Decorrelation stretch analysis is a novel digital imaging technique that Tan used to enhance the contrast between colors in a photograph.
Using a novel digital imaging technique, Tan revealed hundreds of images hidden on the walls of Angkor Wat, a Cambodian temple.
Built to honor a Hindu god before becoming a Buddhist temple, Cambodia's Angkor Wat concealed hundreds of images on its plaster walls.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Cambodia's Angkor Wat was built in the 1100s to honor the Hindu god Vishnu." |
|
| "It has been a Buddhist temple since the sixteenth century." |
|
| "Decorrelation stretch analysis is a novel digital imaging technique that enhances the contrast between colors in a photograph." |
|
| "Archaeologist Noel Hidalgo Tan applied decorrelation stretch analysis to photographs he had taken of Angkor Wat's plaster walls." |
|
| "Tan's analysis revealed hundreds of images unknown to researchers." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Archaeologist Tan used a new digital imaging technique to discover hundreds of previously unknown images on the walls of Cambodia's historic Angkor Wat temple.
Argument Flow: The notes establish Angkor Wat's historical significance as a temple with both Hindu and Buddhist heritage, then introduce decorrelation stretch analysis as a new digital technique for enhancing photographic color contrast. Finally, they show how Tan combined these elements—applying the technique to his photographs of the temple—to achieve a significant archaeological discovery of hundreds of hidden images.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which choice most effectively presents Tan's research to an audience unfamiliar with Angkor Wat
What type of answer do we need? The most effective communication strategy that uses relevant information from the notes
Any limiting keywords? "unfamiliar with Angkor Wat" - this means the audience needs context about what/where Angkor Wat is, not just technical details about the research
The student's goal is specifically to present Tan's research, but to an audience that doesn't know what Angkor Wat is. This means we need both context about the temple AND information about Tan's research and findings.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Since the audience is unfamiliar with Angkor Wat, the right answer must provide context about what and where it is—not just assume people know it's a temple in Cambodia
- The answer also needs to highlight Tan's research method (the digital imaging technique) and most importantly, his significant finding (hundreds of hidden images)
- The answer should balance giving enough context for newcomers while still focusing on Tan's research as the main point
Tan photographed Angkor Wat's plaster walls and then applied decorrelation stretch analysis to the photographs.
- Simply describes Tan's process without any context
- Assumes audience already knows what Angkor Wat is
- Doesn't mention the key finding (hundreds of images discovered)
Decorrelation stretch analysis is a novel digital imaging technique that Tan used to enhance the contrast between colors in a photograph.
- Focuses primarily on defining the technique rather than Tan's research
- Mentions Tan but doesn't specify what he discovered
- Provides no context about Angkor Wat for unfamiliar audience
Using a novel digital imaging technique, Tan revealed hundreds of images hidden on the walls of Angkor Wat, a Cambodian temple.
- Provides essential context ("Cambodian temple") for unfamiliar audience
- Mentions the "novel digital imaging technique" showing Tan's innovative approach
- Highlights the key discovery ("hundreds of images hidden on the walls")
- Balances context, method, and findings effectively for the intended audience
Built to honor a Hindu god before becoming a Buddhist temple, Cambodia's Angkor Wat concealed hundreds of images on its plaster walls.
- Gives extensive historical context about Angkor Wat's religious evolution
- Completely omits Tan, his research method, and his findings
- Fails to address the question's focus on presenting Tan's research