Text 1Educational research has consistently shown that students learn most effectively through direct instruction, where teachers present information ...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Educational research has consistently shown that students learn most effectively through direct instruction, where teachers present information in structured, sequential lessons. This traditional approach, supported by decades of classroom studies, holds that clear teacher guidance and systematic content delivery are essential for academic achievement, regardless of individual student preferences or learning styles.
Text 2
However, Dr. Sarah Chen and her research team conducted a study examining student engagement across different instructional methods. When students were allowed to choose their own learning pathways and set personal goals within the curriculum, test scores improved significantly compared to traditional direct instruction groups. The researchers found that student autonomy in learning increased both motivation and retention rates.
Based on the texts, how would Dr. Chen and her research team (Text 2) most likely respond to the traditional approach discussed in Text 1?
By arguing that direct instruction fails to produce any measurable academic gains in modern classrooms
By suggesting that effective learning may not be exclusively dependent on teacher-directed systematic instruction
By acknowledging that structured lessons work well but proposing that they should be supplemented with technology
By disputing the validity of decades of classroom studies that support traditional teaching methods
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Educational research has consistently shown that students learn most effectively through direct instruction, where teachers present information in structured, sequential lessons." |
|
| "This traditional approach, supported by decades of classroom studies, holds that clear teacher guidance and systematic content delivery are essential for academic achievement," |
|
| "regardless of individual student preferences or learning styles." |
|
| "However, Dr. Sarah Chen and her research team conducted a study examining student engagement across different instructional methods." |
|
| "When students were allowed to choose their own learning pathways and set personal goals within the curriculum, test scores improved significantly compared to traditional direct instruction groups." |
|
| "The researchers found that student autonomy in learning increased both motivation and retention rates." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Two contrasting research perspectives exist on effective teaching - traditional direct instruction versus student-autonomy approaches.
Argument Flow: Text 1 establishes the traditional research consensus that direct instruction works best for all students. Text 2 then presents Dr. Chen's research showing that giving students autonomy and choice actually produces better results than the traditional approach, challenging the established view.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? How Dr. Chen and her team would most likely respond to the traditional approach from Text 1
What type of answer do we need? A prediction of their likely reaction or argument based on their research findings
Any limiting keywords? "most likely" indicates we need the most reasonable response given their research findings
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Dr. Chen's team found that student autonomy produces better results than traditional direct instruction
- Their response would likely challenge the idea that direct instruction is the only effective method
- They would suggest that alternative approaches can be more effective
- They would point to their evidence showing student choice works better
- They would not completely dismiss traditional methods but show they are not the exclusive answer
By arguing that direct instruction fails to produce any measurable academic gains in modern classrooms
Claims direct instruction produces NO measurable gains
✗ Incorrect
- Too extreme, Chen's study showed their method was better but did not claim traditional methods are completely useless
By suggesting that effective learning may not be exclusively dependent on teacher-directed systematic instruction
Suggests effective learning is not exclusively dependent on teacher-directed instruction
✓ Correct
- Perfectly matches Chen's findings that student autonomy can be more effective and aligns with their evidence showing alternatives work better
By acknowledging that structured lessons work well but proposing that they should be supplemented with technology
Mentions supplementing with technology
✗ Incorrect
- Chen's research focused on student autonomy and choice, not technology
By disputing the validity of decades of classroom studies that support traditional teaching methods
Claims Chen would dispute the validity of decades of studies
✗ Incorrect
- Chen's team presented new findings but did not attack the credibility of previous research