Passage 1Dr. Sarah Chen's 2019 study on memory consolidation proposed that emotional memories are strengthened primarily through repeated activation o...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Passage 1
Dr. Sarah Chen's 2019 study on memory consolidation proposed that emotional memories are strengthened primarily through repeated activation of the amygdala during sleep. Her research suggested that the more frequently emotional circuits fired during REM sleep, the more durable these memories became. Chen's theory emphasized the central role of sleep-based neural replay in preserving emotionally significant experiences.
Passage 2
Recent neuroimaging studies have confirmed that emotional memories do indeed benefit from sleep-based consolidation, as Chen proposed. However, researchers now recognize that memory durability depends not only on amygdala activation during sleep, but also on the integration of emotional content with existing semantic networks during waking hours. For instance, memories that connect new emotional experiences to previously established knowledge frameworks show enhanced retention regardless of sleep patterns. Thus, effective memory consolidation appears to require both sleep-based replay and wakeful integration processes.
Based on the passages, how would the researchers discussed in Passage 2 most likely characterize Chen's theory, as described in Passage 1?
By cautioning that the theory overlooks certain important aspects of how memory consolidation occurs
By praising the theory for recognizing the role of semantic networks in memory formation
By arguing that the theory places too much emphasis on waking cognitive processes
By approving of the theory's focus on how memory systems change over time
Looking at this Cross-Text Connections question, I need to understand how the researchers in Passage 2 view Dr. Chen's theory from Passage 1. Let me work through this systematically.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Passage 1: | |
| "Dr. Sarah Chen's 2019 study on memory consolidation proposed that emotional memories are strengthened primarily through repeated activation of the amygdala during sleep." |
|
| "Her research suggested that the more frequently emotional circuits fired during REM sleep, the more durable these memories became." |
|
| "Chen's theory emphasized the central role of sleep-based neural replay in preserving emotionally significant experiences." |
|
| Passage 2: | |
| "Recent neuroimaging studies have confirmed that emotional memories do indeed benefit from sleep-based consolidation, as Chen proposed." |
|
| "However, researchers now recognize that memory durability depends not only on amygdala activation during sleep, but also on the integration of emotional content with existing semantic networks during waking hours." |
|
| "For instance, memories that connect new emotional experiences to previously established knowledge frameworks show enhanced retention regardless of sleep patterns." |
|
| "Thus, effective memory consolidation appears to require both sleep-based replay and wakeful integration processes." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: While Chen's theory about sleep-based memory consolidation is correct, researchers now understand that effective memory formation requires both sleep processes and waking integration with existing knowledge.
Argument Flow: Passage 1 presents Chen's sleep-focused theory. Passage 2 confirms her findings but reveals she missed half the picture - waking integration with semantic networks is equally important for durable memory formation.
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
- From our analysis, Passage 2 researchers take a specific stance toward Chen's theory
- They clearly agree with her about sleep-based consolidation - they "confirm" her findings
- But they also reveal that Chen's theory is incomplete because it focuses only on sleep processes and misses the crucial role of waking integration with semantic networks
- The researchers are not rejecting Chen's theory or criticizing it harshly
- Instead, they are saying "You are right about this part, but there is more to the story that you did not account for"
- So the right answer should reflect that the researchers view Chen's theory as partially correct but missing important components
By cautioning that the theory overlooks certain important aspects of how memory consolidation occurs
✓ Correct
- This perfectly captures the researchers' stance - they confirm Chen's findings but point out she "overlooked" the waking integration aspect
- Matches our prethinking about the theory being incomplete rather than wrong
By praising the theory for recognizing the role of semantic networks in memory formation
✗ Incorrect
- Chen's theory does not actually recognize semantic networks - that is what Passage 2 researchers add to her theory
- The researchers praise her sleep findings, not her recognition of semantic networks which she did not recognize
By arguing that the theory places too much emphasis on waking cognitive processes
✗ Incorrect
- Chen's theory emphasizes sleep processes, not waking cognitive processes
- The researchers are actually saying she did not emphasize waking processes enough
By approving of the theory's focus on how memory systems change over time
✗ Incorrect
- Neither passage focuses on how memory systems change over time - they focus on how memories are strengthened
- This choice mischaracterizes what Chen's theory actually emphasizes