Cultural rituals frequently serve multiple social functions beyond their apparent primary purpose. Wedding ceremonies typically emphasize romantic uni...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Cultural rituals frequently serve multiple social functions beyond their apparent primary purpose. Wedding ceremonies typically emphasize romantic union, funeral rites focus on mourning, and coming-of-age celebrations mark maturity transitions. Anthropologist Chen's research on quinceañera celebrations in Mexican-American communities revealed significant changes from traditional practices. Chen argues that increasing economic pressures on immigrant families drive the evolution of quinceañera celebrations toward greater elaborateness, as these events become primary venues for demonstrating financial stability and successful integration within both heritage and adopted communities.
Which finding, if true, would most directly support Chen's argument?
Quinceañera celebrations in Mexico tend to be simpler and less expensive than those held in the United States.
Mexican-American families experiencing greater economic uncertainty host more elaborate quinceañera celebrations than those with stable financial situations.
Quinceañera traditions have remained largely unchanged despite decades of cultural adaptation in immigrant communities.
Families that host quinceañeras report stronger connections to both Mexican culture and their local American communities compared to families that do not.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Cultural rituals frequently serve multiple social functions beyond their apparent primary purpose." |
|
| "Wedding ceremonies typically emphasize romantic union, funeral rites focus on mourning, and coming-of-age celebrations mark maturity transitions." |
|
| "Anthropologist Chen's research on quinceañera celebrations in Mexican-American communities revealed significant changes from traditional practices." |
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| "Chen argues that increasing economic pressures on immigrant families drive the evolution of quinceañera celebrations toward greater elaborateness, as these events become primary venues for demonstrating financial stability and successful integration within both heritage and adopted communities." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map:
[GENERAL PRINCIPLE] Cultural rituals = multiple functions → [EXAMPLES] Weddings, funerals, coming-of-age ceremonies → [SPECIFIC RESEARCH] Chen's quinceañera study → [RESEARCH ARGUMENT] Economic pressure → elaborate celebrations (to show stability/integration)
Main Point: Chen argues that economic pressures on immigrant families cause quinceañera celebrations to become more elaborate as ways to demonstrate financial stability and successful integration.
Argument Flow: The passage starts with a general principle about cultural rituals serving multiple functions, gives examples, then focuses on Chen's specific research on quinceañeras in Mexican-American communities, culminating in Chen's argument that economic pressures drive these celebrations to become more elaborate as demonstrations of financial success and cultural integration.
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
- Chen's argument has two key components: (1) economic pressures on immigrant families are increasing, and (2) this drives quinceañeras to become more elaborate because they serve as venues for demonstrating financial stability and integration success
- The best supporting evidence would show a direct connection between economic pressure and celebration elaborateness - ideally showing that families under MORE economic pressure host MORE elaborate celebrations, which would confirm Chen's theory about the driving force behind this trend
Quinceañera celebrations in Mexico tend to be simpler and less expensive than those held in the United States.
✗ Incorrect
- This compares quinceañeras in Mexico vs. US but doesn't address Chen's specific argument about economic pressures
- While it might suggest celebrations have changed in the US, it doesn't connect this to economic pressures or show the cause-effect relationship Chen proposes
Mexican-American families experiencing greater economic uncertainty host more elaborate quinceañera celebrations than those with stable financial situations.
✓ Correct
- This directly supports Chen's argument by showing families with greater economic uncertainty host MORE elaborate celebrations
- This perfectly aligns with Chen's theory that economic pressure drives elaborateness as families use these events to demonstrate stability
Quinceañera traditions have remained largely unchanged despite decades of cultural adaptation in immigrant communities.
✗ Incorrect
- This contradicts Chen's entire premise by saying traditions haven't changed
- Chen's argument depends on celebrations evolving and becoming more elaborate, so unchanged traditions would undermine his claim
Families that host quinceañeras report stronger connections to both Mexican culture and their local American communities compared to families that do not.
✗ Incorrect
- This discusses cultural connections but doesn't address the economic pressure aspect of Chen's argument
- While it might support the idea that quinceañeras help with integration, it completely misses the economic driving force that Chen identifies