While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Fermentation is an ancient food preservation technique that uses beneficial...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Fermentation is an ancient food preservation technique that uses beneficial bacteria to transform ingredients.
- It creates probiotics that support digestive health and enhances nutrient absorption.
- Fermented foods can be stored for extended periods without refrigeration.
- Smoking is a traditional method that uses wood smoke to preserve and flavor foods.
- It removes moisture from foods while adding antimicrobial compounds that prevent spoilage.
- Smoked foods develop complex flavors and can also be stored long-term without modern refrigeration.
The student wants to show how these preservation methods work together. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Fermentation uses beneficial bacteria to transform ingredients, while smoking uses wood smoke to preserve foods.
Food preservation techniques have been essential throughout human history for storing food safely.
Both fermentation and smoking serve as effective preservation methods that enhance flavor while extending shelf life without requiring modern refrigeration.
Smoking removes moisture and adds antimicrobial compounds, creating complex flavors in preserved foods.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Fermentation is an ancient food preservation technique that uses beneficial bacteria to transform ingredients." |
|
| "It creates probiotics that support digestive health and enhances nutrient absorption." |
|
| "Fermented foods can be stored for extended periods without refrigeration." |
|
| "Smoking is a traditional method that uses wood smoke to preserve and flavor foods." |
|
| "It removes moisture from foods while adding antimicrobial compounds that prevent spoilage." |
|
| "Smoked foods develop complex flavors and can also be stored long-term without modern refrigeration." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Both fermentation and smoking are traditional preservation methods that extend food storage life without modern refrigeration while providing additional benefits.
Argument Flow: The notes present two preservation methods in parallel structure. Each method is introduced with its basic process, then detailed with specific mechanisms or benefits, and both conclude with the key advantage of long-term storage without refrigeration.
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 right answer needs to show how fermentation and smoking complement each other or share important characteristics
- Both methods are traditional/ancient preservation techniques
- Both extend food storage without modern refrigeration
- Both provide additional benefits beyond just preservation
- Both use different mechanisms but achieve similar preservation goals
- The right answer should synthesize information about both methods to highlight their shared preservation benefits and how they complement each other as effective food storage solutions
Fermentation uses beneficial bacteria to transform ingredients, while smoking uses wood smoke to preserve foods.
- Simply states what each method does separately
- Doesn't show how they "work together" - just describes them in parallel
- Misses the synthesis aspect the question requires
Food preservation techniques have been essential throughout human history for storing food safely.
- Too general and vague about food preservation throughout history
- Doesn't use specific information from the notes as required
- Fails to address fermentation and smoking specifically
Both fermentation and smoking serve as effective preservation methods that enhance flavor while extending shelf life without requiring modern refrigeration.
- Synthesizes key information about both methods from the notes
- Shows they "work together" by highlighting their shared benefits: preservation, flavor enhancement, extended shelf life, no refrigeration needed
- Uses relevant specific information from the passage
- Demonstrates how both methods complement each other as effective preservation solutions
Smoking removes moisture and adds antimicrobial compounds, creating complex flavors in preserved foods.
- Only discusses smoking, completely ignores fermentation
- Cannot show how methods "work together" when only one method is mentioned