During renovation work at the Boston Public Library in 2020, construction workers discovered a collection of 18th-century manuscripts sealed inside...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
During renovation work at the Boston Public Library in 2020, construction workers discovered a collection of 18th-century manuscripts sealed inside a wooden chest in the building's foundation. The documents included previously unknown correspondence between colonial leaders and detailed records of early trade agreements. Moreover, the manuscripts demonstrated remarkable preservation techniques, featuring intact wax seals and specialized ink formulations. Head archivist Dr. Margaret Chen explained that the discovery was significant both for revealing new historical information and for providing insights into colonial-era document preservation methods.
What does the text indicate about the discovery of the manuscripts?
The manuscripts were more historically significant than other colonial documents found in Boston.
Construction workers were more effective at locating historical documents than professional archivists.
The discovery was valuable for both its historical content and its preservation insights.
The documents would have deteriorated if they hadn't been stored in the wooden chest.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'During renovation work at the Boston Public Library in 2020, construction workers discovered a collection of 18th-century manuscripts sealed inside a wooden chest in the building's foundation.' |
|
| 'The documents included previously unknown correspondence between colonial leaders and detailed records of early trade agreements.' |
|
| 'Moreover, the manuscripts demonstrated remarkable preservation techniques, featuring intact wax seals and specialized ink formulations.' |
|
| 'Head archivist Dr. Margaret Chen explained that the discovery was significant both for revealing new historical information and for providing insights into colonial-era document preservation methods.' |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The discovery of 18th-century manuscripts during library renovation was valuable for both its new historical content and its insights into colonial preservation methods.
Argument Flow: The passage starts with the discovery event, then details what was found (both content and preservation features), and concludes with an expert's assessment that the discovery has dual significance.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? What the text tells us about the manuscript discovery
What type of answer do we need? A statement that accurately reflects what the passage indicates about the discovery
Any limiting keywords? "indicate" means we need something directly supported by the text
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The discovery had value beyond just finding old documents
- Dr. Chen specifically mentioned TWO types of significance
- Both historical content AND preservation methods were important
The manuscripts were more historically significant than other colonial documents found in Boston.
- Claims these manuscripts were MORE significant than other colonial documents found in Boston.
- The passage never compares this discovery to other Boston finds.
- This goes beyond what the text actually indicates.
Construction workers were more effective at locating historical documents than professional archivists.
- Suggests construction workers are better at finding documents than archivists.
- The passage doesn't make any comparison between construction workers and archivists.
- This completely misses the point.
The discovery was valuable for both its historical content and its preservation insights.
- States the discovery was valuable for both historical content and preservation insights.
- Perfectly matches Dr. Chen's explanation of "both revealing new historical information and providing insights into colonial-era document preservation methods."
The documents would have deteriorated if they hadn't been stored in the wooden chest.
- Claims the documents would have deteriorated without the wooden chest.
- While the chest likely helped preserve them, the passage doesn't make this specific claim.
- This assumes cause-and-effect relationships not explicitly stated.