For decades, medical imaging specialists have faced significant challenges in identifying small malignancies within dense breast tissue through conven...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
For decades, medical imaging specialists have faced significant challenges in identifying small malignancies within dense breast tissue through conventional mammographic screening. A research team led by Dr. Sarah Chen has recently created an innovative diagnostic approach that integrates traditional mammography with tomosynthesis, a specialized three-dimensional radiographic method that generates comprehensive layered images. Preliminary research trials demonstrate this combined technique detects \(40\%\) more malignancies compared to standard screening protocols.
Which choice best states the function of the underlined portion of the text?
It outlines the methodology used in the clinical trials.
It describes the advantages of the new imaging system.
It clarifies the meaning of a technical term.
It summarizes the results of the research study.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'For decades, medical imaging specialists have faced significant challenges in identifying small malignancies within dense breast tissue through conventional mammographic screening.' |
|
| 'A research team led by Dr. Sarah Chen has recently created an innovative diagnostic approach that integrates traditional mammography with tomosynthesis,' |
|
| 'a specialized three-dimensional radiographic method that generates comprehensive layered images.' |
|
| 'Preliminary research trials demonstrate this combined technique detects 40% more malignancies compared to standard screening protocols.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Sarah Chen's team has developed a new diagnostic approach combining traditional mammography with tomosynthesis that significantly improves cancer detection in dense breast tissue.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes a decades-old problem with conventional mammographic screening, then introduces Dr. Chen's innovative solution that combines two imaging techniques. After clarifying what tomosynthesis means, it provides preliminary evidence showing the combined approach's superiority over standard methods.
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 underlined portion comes right after the technical term tomosynthesis
- This phrase takes a specialized medical term that readers might not know and breaks it down into understandable components
- it's three-dimensional
- it's a type of X-ray method
- it creates detailed layered images
- The correct answer should indicate that this portion clarifies the meaning of a technical term that was just introduced
It outlines the methodology used in the clinical trials.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims this portion describes the methodology of clinical trials
- The underlined portion doesn't discuss how the research was conducted - it defines what tomosynthesis is
It describes the advantages of the new imaging system.
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests this portion describes advantages of the imaging system
- The underlined portion explains what tomosynthesis is, not why it's beneficial
- The advantages come later in the passage
It clarifies the meaning of a technical term.
✓ Correct
- Accurately identifies that this portion clarifies the meaning of a technical term
- The phrase directly follows tomosynthesis and explains what this medical term means
It summarizes the results of the research study.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims this portion summarizes research results
- The underlined portion defines a term, while the actual results appear in the final sentence