Following extensive community outreach in the Riverside neighborhood, architect James Chen submitted his design proposal for a new community center...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Following extensive community outreach in the Riverside neighborhood, architect James Chen submitted his design proposal for a new community center to the city planning committee. During their review process, the committee has concluded that Chen's architectural plans demonstrate genuine responsiveness to the specific concerns and priorities that local residents articulated during the consultation phase.
Which choice, if true, would most directly support the committee's conclusion?
Chen's design incorporates flexible meeting spaces and a commercial kitchen specifically requested by neighborhood groups during public forums, and the building's orientation maximizes natural light based on resident feedback about energy costs.
The proposed community center features contemporary architectural elements including floor-to-ceiling windows, sustainable building materials, and an open-concept layout.
Chen has previously designed award-winning community centers in three other cities and holds certifications in both sustainable architecture and universal design principles.
The construction budget for Chen's proposed community center falls within the allocated funds and includes provisions for local hiring preferences during the building phase.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Following extensive community outreach in the Riverside neighborhood,' |
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| 'architect James Chen submitted his design proposal for a new community center to the city planning committee.' |
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| 'During their review process, the committee has concluded that Chen's architectural plans demonstrate genuine responsiveness to the specific concerns and priorities that local residents articulated during the consultation phase.' |
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Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The city planning committee determined that Chen's community center design genuinely responds to the specific concerns residents raised during consultation.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes that community outreach occurred, then explains that Chen submitted his design, and finally presents the committee's positive assessment that his plans truly address what residents wanted.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
- What's being asked? Which piece of evidence would most directly back up this conclusion
- What type of answer do we need? Concrete evidence showing Chen actually incorporated what residents specifically requested
- Any limiting keywords? 'Most directly support' means we want the strongest, clearest evidence
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- To support the committee's conclusion, we need evidence that shows Chen didn't just create a nice design—we need proof that he actually listened to what residents said they wanted and then incorporated those specific requests into his plans
- The right answer should connect resident input directly to design features
- The answer should show specific resident requests and how Chen addressed them in his design
Chen's design incorporates flexible meeting spaces and a commercial kitchen specifically requested by neighborhood groups during public forums, and the building's orientation maximizes natural light based on resident feedback about energy costs.
- Shows specific things residents requested during forums (flexible meeting spaces, commercial kitchen, natural light concerns about energy costs)
- Demonstrates Chen directly incorporated these requests into his design
- Creates the exact connection needed between resident input and Chen's responsiveness
The proposed community center features contemporary architectural elements including floor-to-ceiling windows, sustainable building materials, and an open-concept layout.
- Lists nice architectural features (floor-to-ceiling windows, sustainable materials, open concept)
- Doesn't connect any of these features to resident requests or concerns
- Could describe any modern building, not evidence of responsiveness to community input
Chen has previously designed award-winning community centers in three other cities and holds certifications in both sustainable architecture and universal design principles.
- Focuses on Chen's past achievements and certifications
- Shows he's qualified but doesn't prove he responded to Riverside residents' specific concerns
- Trap: Students might think credentials equal responsiveness, but the question asks about responding to specific community input
The construction budget for Chen's proposed community center falls within the allocated funds and includes provisions for local hiring preferences during the building phase.
- Discusses budget and local hiring preferences
- While these might matter to residents, doesn't show Chen incorporated specific concerns they raised during consultation
- Focuses on practical/financial aspects rather than design responsiveness