During the expansion of federal science funding in the 1960s, when many universities began actively recruiting underrepresented researchers, biochemis...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
During the expansion of federal science funding in the 1960s, when many universities began actively recruiting underrepresented researchers, biochemist Dr. Maria Gonzalez emerged as a crucial advocate for Latino scientists entering academic careers. As a professor at Stanford University and advisor to the National Science Foundation, Gonzalez recognized that while funding opportunities were increasing, many talented Latino researchers lacked the professional networks and institutional knowledge needed to succeed in academic settings. She developed a comprehensive mentorship program that connected emerging Latino scientists with established researchers, provided grant-writing workshops, and facilitated introductions to key figures in their fields before they completed their graduate studies.
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
To establish that Gonzalez used her academic position to secure research funding for Latino scientists through her connections at Stanford and the NSF
To introduce and illustrate Gonzalez's crucial role in supporting Latino scientists as they navigated the expanding academic landscape of the 1960s
To demonstrate that the factors motivating the expansion of federal science funding created different opportunities for Latino researchers than for other groups
To provide an overview of the professional challenges faced by Latino scientists in academic and research institutions during the 1960s
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "During the expansion of federal science funding in the 1960s, when many universities began actively recruiting underrepresented researchers," |
|
| "biochemist Dr. Maria Gonzalez emerged as a crucial advocate for Latino scientists entering academic careers." |
|
| "As a professor at Stanford University and advisor to the National Science Foundation," |
|
| "Gonzalez recognized that while funding opportunities were increasing, many talented Latino researchers lacked the professional networks and institutional knowledge needed to succeed in academic settings." |
|
| "She developed a comprehensive mentorship program that connected emerging Latino scientists with established researchers, provided grant-writing workshops, and facilitated introductions to key figures in their fields before they completed their graduate studies." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The passage explains how Dr. Maria Gonzalez played a crucial role in helping Latino scientists navigate and succeed in the expanding academic landscape of the 1960s through her comprehensive mentorship program.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes the historical context of 1960s federal funding expansion and university recruitment efforts, then introduces Dr. Maria Gonzalez as a key advocate who emerged during this period. It explains how she identified a specific gap and describes the comprehensive mentorship program she developed to address this need.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The main purpose of the text
What type of answer do we need? The overall goal or function of the entire passage
Any limiting keywords? "main purpose" - we need the primary, overarching purpose, not a secondary detail
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The right answer should capture that this passage is primarily about Dr. Maria Gonzalez and her specific contributions to helping Latino scientists succeed during the 1960s academic expansion
- It should reflect that the passage introduces her as a key figure and then explains how she addressed a particular challenge through her mentorship program
To establish that Gonzalez used her academic position to secure research funding for Latino scientists through her connections at Stanford and the NSF
✗ Incorrect
- This suggests the passage is about Gonzalez securing funding through her connections
- The passage doesn't focus on her securing funding for others, but rather on her mentorship program that helped Latino scientists with networking and institutional knowledge
To introduce and illustrate Gonzalez's crucial role in supporting Latino scientists as they navigated the expanding academic landscape of the 1960s
✓ Correct
- This captures both the introduction of Gonzalez as a crucial advocate and the illustration of her role through the mentorship program
- It matches our prethinking about her crucial role in supporting Latino scientists during the academic expansion
To demonstrate that the factors motivating the expansion of federal science funding created different opportunities for Latino researchers than for other groups
✗ Incorrect
- This suggests the passage compares opportunities for Latino researchers versus other groups
- The passage doesn't make any such comparison - it focuses specifically on what Gonzalez did for Latino scientists
To provide an overview of the professional challenges faced by Latino scientists in academic and research institutions during the 1960s
✗ Incorrect
- This focuses only on the challenges faced by Latino scientists
- While the passage mentions these challenges, its main purpose is to show how Gonzalez addressed them through her program