The following text is adapted from Dr. Sarah Chen's research journal documenting her archaeological fieldwork in Peru during 2019-2021.Dr. Chen...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The following text is adapted from Dr. Sarah Chen's research journal documenting her archaeological fieldwork in Peru during 2019-2021.
Dr. Chen approached every excavation site with meticulous preparation, arriving before dawn to organize her tools and review her field notes from previous days. She documented each artifact's precise location using GPS coordinates and photographed discoveries from multiple angles before removal. When weather threatened to halt work, she covered active dig sites with protective tarps and continued cataloging finds in her field laboratory. Even during equipment malfunctions, she adapted by sketching detailed diagrams when cameras failed and using improvised measuring tools to maintain data accuracy.
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
To illustrate Dr. Chen's thorough and dedicated approach to archaeological research
To suggest that Dr. Chen's research methods are superior to those of other archaeologists
To demonstrate that archaeological fieldwork requires extensive technological resources
To show how weather conditions and equipment problems impact archaeological research
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Dr. Chen approached every excavation site with meticulous preparation, arriving before dawn to organize her tools and review her field notes from previous days.' |
|
| 'She documented each artifact's precise location using GPS coordinates and photographed discoveries from multiple angles before removal.' |
|
| 'When weather threatened to halt work, she covered active dig sites with protective tarps and continued cataloging finds in her field laboratory.' |
|
| 'Even during equipment malfunctions, she adapted by sketching detailed diagrams when cameras failed and using improvised measuring tools to maintain data accuracy.' |
|
Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The passage demonstrates Dr. Chen's exceptionally thorough and dedicated approach to archaeological fieldwork through specific examples of her preparation, documentation, and adaptation methods.
Argument Flow: The passage opens by establishing Dr. Chen's meticulous preparation habits, then provides concrete examples of her detailed documentation practices, and concludes by showing how she maintains this thoroughness even when facing weather and equipment challenges.
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 entire passage focuses on Dr. Chen's work habits and methods
- Every sentence shows different aspects of how carefully and thoroughly she approaches her archaeological work - from her early morning preparation to her detailed documentation to her creative adaptations when problems arise
- The passage doesn't compare her to others, doesn't focus on technology requirements, and doesn't center on problems themselves
- The right answer should capture that this passage is designed to showcase Dr. Chen's thorough and committed approach to her archaeological research work
To illustrate Dr. Chen's thorough and dedicated approach to archaeological research
✓ Correct
- This perfectly matches our analysis - the passage consistently demonstrates Dr. Chen's thoroughness (meticulous preparation, precise documentation, detailed photography) and dedication (working despite weather, adapting when equipment fails)
- Every example in the passage serves to illustrate these qualities about her approach
To suggest that Dr. Chen's research methods are superior to those of other archaeologists
✗ Incorrect
- The passage never mentions other archaeologists or makes any comparisons
- It focuses solely on describing Dr. Chen's methods without suggesting they're better than anyone else's
To demonstrate that archaeological fieldwork requires extensive technological resources
✗ Incorrect
- While the passage mentions GPS and cameras, the focus isn't on technology requirements
- When equipment fails, Dr. Chen adapts with non-technological solutions (sketching, improvised tools)
- The emphasis is on her adaptability, not on technology dependence
To show how weather conditions and equipment problems impact archaeological research
✗ Incorrect
- Weather and equipment problems are mentioned, but they're not the main focus
- These challenges are used to show how Dr. Chen responds to them, not to demonstrate their general impact on archaeology