While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Dr. Elizabeth Chen is a renowned cognitive psychologist who specializes...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Dr. Elizabeth Chen is a renowned cognitive psychologist who specializes in memory research.
- She conducted a landmark study titled "Dual Processing in Recognition Memory" in 2019.
- The study examined how participants recalled information when presented with familiar visual cues.
- The study also examined how participants recalled information when presented with completely novel visual cues.
- The research revealed significant differences between these two memory processing pathways.
The student wants to introduce Chen's 2019 study to an audience already familiar with Dr. Chen's work. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Chen's 2019 study "Dual Processing in Recognition Memory" explored differences between memory recall with familiar visual cues versus completely novel visual cues.
Dr. Elizabeth Chen, a renowned cognitive psychologist specializing in memory research, conducted "Dual Processing in Recognition Memory" in 2019.
In addition to her 2019 study "Dual Processing in Recognition Memory," cognitive psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Chen has conducted other memory research.
"Dual Processing in Recognition Memory" was not the only landmark study conducted by renowned psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Chen.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Dr. Elizabeth Chen is a renowned cognitive psychologist who specializes in memory research." |
|
| "She conducted a landmark study titled 'Dual Processing in Recognition Memory' in 2019." |
|
| "The study examined how participants recalled information when presented with familiar visual cues." |
|
| "The study also examined how participants recalled information when presented with completely novel visual cues." |
|
| "The research revealed significant differences between these two memory processing pathways." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Chen's 2019 study discovered significant differences in how people process memory when shown familiar versus completely new visual cues.
Argument Flow: The notes establish Chen's credentials as a memory researcher, then identify her landmark 2019 study. The notes explain that this study tested two different conditions and found significant differences between these two memory processing approaches.
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
- Since the audience already knows Dr. Chen, they don't need her credentials or background information repeated
- What they need is information about this specific 2019 study—what it investigated and what makes it significant
- The most useful information would focus on the study's methodology (testing memory with familiar vs. novel visual cues) and perhaps its findings
Chen's 2019 study "Dual Processing in Recognition Memory" explored differences between memory recall with familiar visual cues versus completely novel visual cues.
✓ Correct
- Focuses entirely on what the study investigated—the comparison between familiar and novel visual cues
- Matches our prethinking perfectly by emphasizing study content over researcher background
- Uses relevant details from the notes and is appropriate for audience already familiar with Chen
Dr. Elizabeth Chen, a renowned cognitive psychologist specializing in memory research, conducted "Dual Processing in Recognition Memory" in 2019.
✗ Incorrect
- Spends most of its content on Chen's background
- Students might think more detail is always better, but this choice wastes space on information the audience already has
In addition to her 2019 study "Dual Processing in Recognition Memory," cognitive psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Chen has conducted other memory research.
✗ Incorrect
- References "other memory research" that isn't mentioned anywhere in the notes
- Doesn't actually introduce the 2019 study—just mentions it exists alongside other work
"Dual Processing in Recognition Memory" was not the only landmark study conducted by renowned psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Chen.
✗ Incorrect
- Also references other studies not mentioned in the notes
- Doesn't tell us anything about what the 2019 study actually examined