The following text describes a research laboratory scene.Dr. Martinez maintains strict protocols during his chemical experiments, particularly when wo...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
The following text describes a research laboratory scene.
Dr. Martinez maintains strict protocols during his chemical experiments, particularly when working with volatile compounds. Yesterday, while conducting a critical measurement that required absolute precision, a colleague knocked on the laboratory door to discuss scheduling. Dr. Martinez glanced up with visible irritation and gestured impatiently for the colleague to wait. His research demands uninterrupted focus during these sensitive procedures.
Based on the text, how did Dr. Martinez most likely feel when his colleague knocked?
He felt relieved because he welcomed a break from the demanding experiment.
He felt irritated because the timing disrupted his precise experimental work.
He felt concerned because he worried about laboratory safety protocols.
He felt excited because he wanted to share his research progress.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Dr. Martinez maintains strict protocols during his chemical experiments, particularly when working with volatile compounds. |
|
| Yesterday, while conducting a critical measurement that required absolute precision, |
|
| a colleague knocked on the laboratory door to discuss scheduling. |
|
| Dr. Martinez glanced up with visible irritation and gestured impatiently for the colleague to wait. |
|
| His research demands uninterrupted focus during these sensitive procedures. |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Martinez became visibly irritated when interrupted during a precision experiment because his research requires uninterrupted focus.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes Dr. Martinez's careful approach to lab work, then describes a specific situation where he was conducting precise measurements. When a colleague interrupted him, he responded with clear irritation and impatience. The passage concludes by explaining that this reaction makes sense because his sensitive research requires complete focus.
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 directly tells us that Dr. Martinez showed 'visible irritation' and 'gestured impatiently' when interrupted
- He was in the middle of a 'critical measurement that required absolute precision' with 'volatile compounds'
- The passage emphasizes that his research 'demands uninterrupted focus during these sensitive procedures'
- So the right answer should capture his irritation and connect it to the fact that the timing disrupted his precise, focused work that couldn't afford interruptions
He felt relieved because he welcomed a break from the demanding experiment.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims he felt 'relieved' and 'welcomed a break'
- Directly contradicts the passage's description of 'visible irritation' and impatient gesturing
He felt irritated because the timing disrupted his precise experimental work.
✓ Correct
- Matches the passage's description of 'visible irritation'
- Correctly identifies that the timing was the problem during his 'critical measurement that required absolute precision'
He felt concerned because he worried about laboratory safety protocols.
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests he was 'concerned' about 'safety protocols'
- The passage shows irritation about being interrupted, not worry about safety
He felt excited because he wanted to share his research progress.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims he felt 'excited' to 'share his research progress'
- Completely opposite of the 'visible irritation' described