While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Dr. James Parkinson was a British physician who practiced in...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Dr. James Parkinson was a British physician who practiced in London in the early 1800s.
- In 1817, he published "An Essay on the Shaking Palsy."
- He was the first to systematically describe a neurological disorder affecting movement and coordination.
- The condition he described causes tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with balance.
- Medical professionals later named this neurological condition Parkinson's disease.
- Parkinson's disease affects millions of people worldwide today.
The student wants to explain why this neurological condition bears Parkinson's name. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Parkinson's disease is named after Dr. James Parkinson, who first systematically described this neurological disorder in 1817.
Dr. James Parkinson practiced medicine in London and published "An Essay on the Shaking Palsy" in 1817.
The neurological condition causes tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with balance, affecting millions worldwide.
Medical professionals named the condition after the British physician who described its effects on movement and coordination.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Dr. James Parkinson was a British physician who practiced in London in the early 1800s." |
|
| "In 1817, he published 'An Essay on the Shaking Palsy.'" |
|
| "He was the first to systematically describe a neurological disorder affecting movement and coordination." |
|
| "The condition he described causes tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with balance." |
|
| "Medical professionals later named this neurological condition Parkinson's disease." |
|
| "Parkinson's disease affects millions of people worldwide today." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. James Parkinson was the first physician to systematically describe a specific neurological disorder in 1817, which medical professionals later named after him.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes Parkinson's historical context, highlights his groundbreaking 1817 publication that first systematically described a neurological disorder, details the symptoms, explains how medical professionals honored his contribution by naming the disease after him, and concludes with its current significance.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The student wants to explain why this neurological condition bears Parkinson's name.
What type of answer do we need? An explanation that connects Parkinson to the condition and shows why medical professionals chose to name it after him.
Any limiting keywords? None specified - requires a complete explanation of the naming connection.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The right answer must explain the connection between Parkinson and the disease name
- The key elements are: Parkinson was the first to systematically describe this neurological disorder
- He published this description in 1817
- Medical professionals later decided to name the condition after him
Parkinson's disease is named after Dr. James Parkinson, who first systematically described this neurological disorder in 1817.
✓ Correct
- States that Parkinson's disease is named after Dr. James Parkinson because he first systematically described this neurological disorder
- Includes the key date (1817) and directly answers the "why" question
Dr. James Parkinson practiced medicine in London and published "An Essay on the Shaking Palsy" in 1817.
✗ Incorrect
- Lists factual information about Parkinson but fails to explain WHY the condition bears his name
The neurological condition causes tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with balance, affecting millions worldwide.
✗ Incorrect
- Describes the medical symptoms and current impact but completely ignores the naming question
Medical professionals named the condition after the British physician who described its effects on movement and coordination.
✗ Incorrect
- Mentions that medical professionals named it after "the British physician" but doesn't identify Parkinson by name or establish the specific connection