While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Contemporary architects have developed innovative approaches to creating sustainabl...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Contemporary architects have developed innovative approaches to creating sustainable urban communities.
- The Riverside District project, completed in Portland in 2018, emphasized green infrastructure and renewable energy systems.
- This development integrated solar panels, rainwater collection, and community gardens throughout residential areas.
- The Harbor Village project, finished in Seattle in 2019, focused on environmental integration and community self-sufficiency.
- This community featured wind turbines, greywater recycling, and shared agricultural spaces within the housing complex.
- Both projects demonstrated how modern urban planning can address environmental concerns while fostering community connections.
The student wants to show how the Riverside District and Harbor Village projects share common approaches. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
The Riverside District project in Portland integrated solar panels, rainwater collection, and community gardens.
Harbor Village in Seattle featured wind turbines, greywater recycling, and shared agricultural spaces.
Both the Riverside District and Harbor Village projects combined sustainable technology with community-focused design elements.
Completed in 2018, the Riverside District emphasized green infrastructure, while Harbor Village focused on environmental integration.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Contemporary architects have developed innovative approaches to creating sustainable urban communities.' |
|
| 'The Riverside District project, completed in Portland in 2018, emphasized green infrastructure and renewable energy systems.' |
|
| 'This development integrated solar panels, rainwater collection, and community gardens throughout residential areas.' |
|
| 'The Harbor Village project, finished in Seattle in 2019, focused on environmental integration and community self-sufficiency.' |
|
| 'This community featured wind turbines, greywater recycling, and shared agricultural spaces within the housing complex.' |
|
| 'Both projects demonstrated how modern urban planning can address environmental concerns while fostering community connections.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Both the Riverside District and Harbor Village projects demonstrate how contemporary urban planning can combine environmental sustainability with community-building elements.
Argument Flow: The notes begin by establishing that architects are developing new sustainable approaches, then present two specific examples with detailed features of each, and conclude by synthesizing what both projects demonstrate about modern urban planning.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The student wants to show how the Riverside District and Harbor Village projects share common approaches. This is asking us to identify what these two projects have in common - their shared characteristics or methods.
What type of answer do we need? An answer that identifies the shared approaches between both projects.
Any limiting keywords? 'share common approaches' requires finding commonalities between the two projects.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Both projects share several key elements: sustainable technology features and community-focused spaces
- The right answer should identify that both projects combine environmental sustainability features with community-building elements
The Riverside District project in Portland integrated solar panels, rainwater collection, and community gardens.
- Only describes Riverside District features
- Fails to show shared approaches
Harbor Village in Seattle featured wind turbines, greywater recycling, and shared agricultural spaces.
- Only describes Harbor Village features
- Fails to show shared approaches
Both the Riverside District and Harbor Village projects combined sustainable technology with community-focused design elements.
- States both projects combined sustainable technology with community-focused design elements
- This accurately captures their shared approach
Completed in 2018, the Riverside District emphasized green infrastructure, while Harbor Village focused on environmental integration.
- Mentions both projects but emphasizes their differences rather than commonalities