Cat and Plum Blossoms is an important work of Nihonga, or classical Japanese painting. Unlike Kuroda Seiki, who adopted traditional...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Cat and Plum Blossoms is an important work of Nihonga, or classical Japanese painting. Unlike Kuroda Seiki, who adopted traditional European methods such as painting with oil on canvas, Hishida Shunsō ______ traditional Japanese approaches. For instance, Hishida produced Cat and Plum Blossoms by applying color pigments to a silk scroll.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Cat and Plum Blossoms is an important work of Nihonga, or classical Japanese painting." |
|
| "Unlike Kuroda Seiki, who adopted traditional European methods such as painting with oil on canvas," |
|
| "[MISSING WORD/PHRASE]" |
|
| "traditional Japanese approaches." |
|
| "For instance, Hishida produced Cat and Plum Blossoms by applying color pigments to a silk scroll." |
|
Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Hishida Shunsō used traditional Japanese painting methods, unlike other artists who adopted European techniques.
Argument Flow: The passage introduces an important Japanese artwork, then contrasts two different artistic approaches—Kuroda's adoption of European methods versus Hishida's approach to traditional Japanese techniques, with specific evidence showing Hishida's traditional materials and methods.
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
- The sentence starts with "Unlike Kuroda Seiki, who adopted traditional European methods," which establishes one approach
- Then we need a word that shows Hishida's relationship to "traditional Japanese approaches"
- Since this is presented as a contrast to Kuroda's European methods, and we have evidence that Hishida actually used traditional Japanese techniques (pigments on silk), the missing word should show that Hishida had a positive relationship with traditional Japanese approaches
✗ Incorrect
- Means having doubt or suspicion about something
- This doesn't fit because the evidence shows Hishida actually used traditional Japanese methods
✓ Correct
- Means to accept or support willingly and enthusiastically
- This perfectly fits our contrast: Kuroda adopted European methods, while Hishida embraced traditional Japanese approaches
- Matches the evidence provided
✗ Incorrect
- Means to let go of or set free
- This doesn't make logical sense in this context
✗ Incorrect
- Means to fail to notice or consider something
- This contradicts the evidence showing Hishida clearly used traditional Japanese methods