While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Chiura Obata was a Japanese American artist who lived in...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Chiura Obata was a Japanese American artist who lived in California.
- Yosemite Falls is a notable painting by Obata.
- It uses a Japanese method of black ink painting called sumi-e.
- This painting was completed in 1930.
The student wants to indicate the year Yosemite Falls was completed. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
While living in California, Obata created black ink paintings.
Obata, a Japanese American artist, created a notable painting.
Yosemite Falls was completed in 1930.
Obata used a Japanese painting method called sumi-e.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Chiura Obata was a Japanese American artist who lived in California." |
|
| "Yosemite Falls is a notable painting by Obata." |
|
| "It uses a Japanese method of black ink painting called sumi-e." |
|
| "This painting was completed in 1930." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The notes provide biographical and technical information about Chiura Obata and his 1930 painting Yosemite Falls.
Argument Flow: The notes establish Obata's identity and location, then focus on a specific painting by providing its technique and completion date. The information flows from general (artist background) to specific (artwork details).
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The student wants to indicate the year Yosemite Falls was completed.
What type of answer do we need? A sentence that effectively communicates when the painting was finished.
Any limiting keywords? "Most effectively uses relevant information" - so we need the choice that best accomplishes this specific goal of indicating the completion year.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The correct answer must specifically mention the year 1930 and connect this year to the completion of Yosemite Falls
- It should be direct and clear about this temporal relationship
While living in California, Obata created black ink paintings.
✗ Incorrect
- This mentions Obata creating black ink paintings while in California but fails to mention the specific year 1930 or when Yosemite Falls was completed
- It completely misses the goal of indicating the completion year
Obata, a Japanese American artist, created a notable painting.
✗ Incorrect
- This identifies Obata as a Japanese American artist who created a notable painting but provides no information about when the painting was completed
- The choice is too general and doesn't accomplish the specific goal
Yosemite Falls was completed in 1930.
✓ Correct
- This directly states "Yosemite Falls was completed in 1930."
- It perfectly matches the goal of indicating the year the painting was completed and uses the most relevant information from the notes for this specific purpose
Obata used a Japanese painting method called sumi-e.
✗ Incorrect
- This mentions the sumi-e painting method but provides no information about the completion year
- It doesn't address the temporal aspect at all