Economic researchers have identified a persistent problem in urban housing markets: rapidly rising rental costs that outpace wage growth, making...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Economic researchers have identified a persistent problem in urban housing markets: rapidly rising rental costs that outpace wage growth, making affordable housing increasingly scarce for middle-income families. To address this challenge, economist Sarah Chen and her team developed a comprehensive policy framework that combines rent stabilization measures with incentives for affordable housing development. Early implementation of Chen's approach in several pilot cities has shown promising results, with rental cost increases slowing significantly while new affordable housing construction has accelerated.
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
It examines different economic theories, then argues for the superiority of one particular theory.
It describes the methodology of an economic study, then questions the validity of that methodology.
It identifies a persistent economic problem, then presents a policy approach designed to address that problem.
It analyzes competing policy solutions, then demonstrates why most of these solutions have failed.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Economic researchers have identified a persistent problem in urban housing markets: rapidly rising rental costs that outpace wage growth, making affordable housing increasingly scarce for middle-income families." |
|
| "To address this challenge, economist Sarah Chen and her team developed a comprehensive policy framework that combines rent stabilization measures with incentives for affordable housing development." |
|
| "Early implementation of Chen's approach in several pilot cities has shown promising results, with rental cost increases slowing significantly while new affordable housing construction has accelerated." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map:
[PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION] Economic researchers identify persistent housing crisis → [SOLUTION DEVELOPMENT] Chen's team creates comprehensive policy framework → [RESULTS/EVIDENCE] Early pilot implementation shows promising outcomes
Main Point: Economist Sarah Chen developed a policy framework to address the urban housing affordability crisis, and early results from pilot cities show the approach is working.
Argument Flow: The passage follows a classic problem-solution-results structure. It opens by establishing the scope and persistence of the housing affordability problem, then introduces Chen's specific policy response, and concludes by providing evidence that her approach is yielding positive outcomes.
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 correct answer needs to capture three key elements
- The passage starts by identifying a specific economic problem (housing affordability crisis)
- It then presents a targeted policy solution (Chen's framework)
- It provides evidence that this solution is working (pilot city results)
- The structure is fundamentally about problem-identification followed by solution-presentation with supporting evidence
It examines different economic theories, then argues for the superiority of one particular theory.
✗ Incorrect
- This suggests the passage examines multiple economic theories and argues one is superior
- Our passage doesn't compare different theories at all - it focuses on one specific policy framework
It describes the methodology of an economic study, then questions the validity of that methodology.
✗ Incorrect
- This implies the passage describes research methodology then questions whether that methodology is valid
- Our passage doesn't question anything - it presents Chen's approach and shows it's working well
It identifies a persistent economic problem, then presents a policy approach designed to address that problem.
✓ Correct
- This perfectly matches our structure analysis: problem identification followed by policy solution
- The "persistent economic problem" matches our first sentence about the housing crisis
- The "policy approach designed to address that problem" matches Chen's framework and the pilot results
It analyzes competing policy solutions, then demonstrates why most of these solutions have failed.
✗ Incorrect
- This suggests the passage analyzes multiple competing solutions and shows most failed
- Our passage only discusses one solution (Chen's framework) and shows it's succeeding, not failing