Dr. Elena Rodriguez believed that scientific breakthroughs emerged from collaborative environments where researchers could pursue their own hypotheses...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Dr. Elena Rodriguez believed that scientific breakthroughs emerged from collaborative environments where researchers could pursue their own hypotheses freely. Her open laboratory model, which encouraged independent investigation and peer consultation, contrasted sharply with the research management styles of her colleagues Dr. Zhang and Dr. Martinez, whose oversight of their teams was more ______.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
authoritarian
collaborative
innovative
flexible
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Dr. Elena Rodriguez believed that scientific breakthroughs emerged from collaborative environments where researchers could pursue their own hypotheses freely." |
|
| "Her open laboratory model, which encouraged independent investigation and peer consultation, contrasted sharply with the research management styles of her colleagues Dr. Zhang and Dr. Martinez, whose oversight of their teams was more" |
|
| [MISSING WORD/PHRASE] |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The passage contrasts Dr. Rodriguez's collaborative, open research management approach with the more controlling styles of her colleagues Dr. Zhang and Dr. Martinez.
Argument Flow: We first learn Rodriguez's belief that breakthroughs come from collaborative, free environments. Then we see how she implemented this through an open lab model encouraging independence and consultation. Finally, this approach is contrasted with her colleagues' different management style, which we need to identify through the missing word.
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 passage sets up a clear contrast with "contrasted sharply with."
- Rodriguez's approach is collaborative, open, and encourages independence and peer consultation.
- So Zhang and Martinez must have the opposite approach - one that's more controlling, restrictive, or directive.
- The word we need should describe oversight that contrasts with collaborative environments, free hypothesis pursuit, independent investigation, and peer consultation.
authoritarian
- "Authoritarian" perfectly contrasts with Rodriguez's collaborative, open approach.
- Creates the sharp contrast the passage promises with "contrasted sharply."
- Authoritarian oversight would limit the free hypothesis pursuit and independent investigation that Rodriguez encourages.
collaborative
- "Collaborative" describes exactly what Rodriguez does, not a contrast.
- Would make the sentence say Rodriguez's collaborative approach "contrasted sharply with" other collaborative approaches, which makes no logical sense.
innovative
- "Innovative" doesn't create a meaningful contrast with Rodriguez's approach.
- Rodriguez's open model could also be considered innovative.
- This choice fails to establish the "sharp contrast" the passage sets up.
flexible
- "Flexible" actually aligns with Rodriguez's approach of allowing free hypothesis pursuit.
- Like "collaborative," this would not create the sharp contrast promised.
- Flexible oversight would complement, not contrast with, independent investigation.