For decades, educators have believed that students learn mathematics most effectively through repetitive practice of basic computational skills before...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
For decades, educators have believed that students learn mathematics most effectively through repetitive practice of basic computational skills before advancing to complex problem-solving. A team of curriculum researchers decided to examine this assumption. They designed a study comparing two groups of middle school students: one group followed the traditional approach of extensive drill practice, while the other group immediately engaged with challenging word problems from the beginning. After six months, standardized test results showed that students who started with complex problems significantly outperformed those who focused on computational drills. The researchers concluded that the long-standing emphasis on repetitive practice may actually hinder mathematical understanding.
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
To describe a study whose findings challenge a traditional educational belief
To compare the effectiveness of two different mathematical teaching approaches
To advocate for implementing new curriculum standards in middle school mathematics
To explain why repetitive practice fails to develop mathematical reasoning skills
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'For decades, educators have believed that students learn mathematics most effectively through repetitive practice of basic computational skills before advancing to complex problem-solving.' |
|
| 'A team of curriculum researchers decided to examine this assumption.' |
|
| 'They designed a study comparing two groups of middle school students: one group followed the traditional approach of extensive drill practice, while the other group immediately engaged with challenging word problems from the beginning.' |
|
| 'After six months, standardized test results showed that students who started with complex problems significantly outperformed those who focused on computational drills.' |
|
| 'The researchers concluded that the long-standing emphasis on repetitive practice may actually hinder mathematical understanding.' |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: A research study found that students who started with complex math problems outperformed those who began with repetitive drill practice, challenging the traditional educational approach.
Argument Flow: The passage presents a long-held educational belief, describes a study designed to test that belief, reports results that contradict the traditional view, and concludes that the established practice may actually be counterproductive.
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 passage follows a clear structure: it presents an established belief, describes research that tested that belief, and reports findings that challenge the traditional view
- The main purpose is to present this research and its challenge to conventional wisdom
- Key elements the correct answer must have:
- Recognition that this is about presenting research/study findings
- Acknowledgment that the findings challenge or question traditional beliefs
- Focus on the research as the central element, not just the comparison itself
To describe a study whose findings challenge a traditional educational belief
✓ Correct
- Captures exactly what the passage does: describes a study whose findings challenge traditional beliefs
- Matches our prethinking perfectly - the study and its challenge to conventional wisdom are the main focus
To compare the effectiveness of two different mathematical teaching approaches
✗ Incorrect
- While the passage does compare two approaches, this misses the main purpose
- The comparison is part of the study methodology, not the primary goal of the text
To advocate for implementing new curriculum standards in middle school mathematics
✗ Incorrect
- The passage doesn't advocate for implementing anything - it simply presents research findings
- Goes beyond what the passage actually does
To explain why repetitive practice fails to develop mathematical reasoning skills
✗ Incorrect
- Too narrow - focuses only on explaining why something fails rather than presenting the research that discovered this
- Misses that the main purpose is to describe the study itself