While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Digital communication platforms have transformed how people connect and share...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Digital communication platforms have transformed how people connect and share information.
- Email and instant messaging are two widely used communication technologies.
- Email allows for detailed, structured communication and document sharing.
- Email messages can be composed thoughtfully and sent when convenient for the sender.
- Instant messaging enables real-time conversation and immediate responses.
- Instant messaging is ideal for quick questions and urgent communication needs.
- Many organizations use both email and instant messaging to facilitate different types of workplace communication.
The student wants to show how email and instant messaging work together in workplace communication. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Email and instant messaging are both digital communication platforms that have transformed how people connect.
Organizations benefit from using both email for detailed, structured communication and instant messaging for quick questions and urgent needs.
Email allows for document sharing, while instant messaging enables real-time conversation.
Email messages can be composed thoughtfully, and instant messaging provides immediate responses.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Digital communication platforms have transformed how people connect and share information." |
|
| "Email and instant messaging are two widely used communication technologies." |
|
| "Email allows for detailed, structured communication and document sharing." |
|
| "Email messages can be composed thoughtfully and sent when convenient for the sender." |
|
| "Instant messaging enables real-time conversation and immediate responses." |
|
| "Instant messaging is ideal for quick questions and urgent communication needs." |
|
| "Many organizations use both email and instant messaging to facilitate different types of workplace communication." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Email and instant messaging serve different but complementary communication functions in workplace settings.
Argument Flow: The notes establish digital communication's transformative impact, then focus on two key technologies. Email is presented as ideal for detailed, thoughtful communication that can be sent flexibly, while instant messaging excels at real-time, urgent exchanges. The final note reveals that organizations strategically use both technologies together to handle different workplace communication needs.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which choice most effectively shows how email and instant messaging work together in workplace communication.
What type of answer do we need? A statement that demonstrates coordination or complementary use of both technologies in workplace settings, using relevant information from the notes.
Any limiting keywords? "work together" is crucial - this isn't asking about the technologies separately, but how they function as a coordinated system. "Workplace communication" specifies the context. "Most effectively" indicates we need the strongest example.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The correct answer must show both email and instant messaging being used in coordination within workplace settings
- It should reference how their different strengths make them suited for different communication tasks, rather than just listing their features separately
- The answer needs to demonstrate that organizations strategically deploy both technologies together to handle the full range of workplace communication needs
Email and instant messaging are both digital communication platforms that have transformed how people connect.
- Simply states both are digital communication platforms
- Focuses on their shared category, not how they work together
- Doesn't address workplace context or complementary use
Organizations benefit from using both email for detailed, structured communication and instant messaging for quick questions and urgent needs.
- Shows organizations benefiting from using both technologies together
- Clearly explains their complementary roles: email for detailed/structured communication, IM for quick questions and urgent needs
- Directly addresses workplace context and demonstrates coordinated use
Email allows for document sharing, while instant messaging enables real-time conversation.
- Only contrasts their different capabilities
- Doesn't show them working together or being used in coordination
- Missing the workplace context entirely
Email messages can be composed thoughtfully, and instant messaging provides immediate responses.
- Lists separate characteristics of each technology
- Shows no connection between them or coordinated use