The following text is from a 1923 research paper on astronomical observation techniques.Dr. Martinez's team employed enhanced magnification to documen...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The following text is from a 1923 research paper on astronomical observation techniques.
Dr. Martinez's team employed enhanced magnification to document lunar surface features that had eluded previous researchers. While standard telescopes provided general crater visibility, this particular methodology enabled the systematic cataloging of formations with unprecedented detail and accuracy.
As used in the text, what does the word "particular" most nearly mean?
Specific
Unusual
Effective
Advanced
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Dr. Martinez's team employed enhanced magnification to document lunar surface features that had eluded previous researchers." |
|
| "While standard telescopes provided general crater visibility," |
|
| "this particular methodology enabled the systematic cataloging of formations with unprecedented detail and accuracy." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Martinez's team used enhanced magnification to achieve more detailed lunar documentation than standard telescopes could provide.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes a new methodology, contrasts it with standard approaches, then explains how this specific method achieved superior results.
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
- Looking at our analysis, "this particular methodology" refers back to the "enhanced magnification" that was just mentioned
- The word "particular" is being used to point to that specific approach, distinguishing it from other methods (like the standard telescopes mentioned)
- It's essentially saying "this specific methodology" - pointing to the enhanced magnification as the exact method being discussed
- So the right answer should mean "specific" or indicate that we're talking about one distinct methodology rather than methods in general
Specific
✓ Correct
- "Particular" here means "specific" - it's identifying the exact methodology (enhanced magnification) being discussed
- This matches our prethinking perfectly - the word distinguishes this one method from others
Unusual
✗ Incorrect
- While the methodology might be unusual, "particular" isn't emphasizing its unusualness
- The context is about identifying which specific method, not describing it as strange
Effective
✗ Incorrect
- Though the methodology was effective, "particular" doesn't mean effective here
- The word's job is to identify which methodology, not describe its success
Advanced
✗ Incorrect
- "Advanced" might describe enhanced magnification, but "particular" doesn't mean advanced
- The context uses "particular" to specify which method, not describe its sophistication level