Given the frequent delays and budget overruns that plague traditional construction methods, many architects now view them as ______. The...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Given the frequent delays and budget overruns that plague traditional construction methods, many architects now view them as ______. The recent success of modular building techniques, however, has demonstrated faster completion times with superior cost control.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
inefficient
innovative
adaptable
reliable
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Given the frequent delays and budget overruns that plague traditional construction methods" |
|
| "many architects now view them as ______" |
|
| "The recent success of modular building techniques, however, has demonstrated faster completion times with superior cost control." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Traditional construction methods have significant problems, while modular techniques offer better solutions.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes problems with traditional construction methods, then contrasts this with the success of modular alternatives using however to signal the contrast.
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 word must describe how architects view traditional construction methods
- It should reflect the negative problems mentioned and set up a logical contrast with the success that follows
- The right answer should be a negative term that captures why architects would be dissatisfied with traditional methods given their problems
inefficient
✓ Correct
- Creates the perfect logical flow: traditional methods have delays and cost problems, so architects view them as inefficient
- Sets up the contrast beautifully with modular methods representing efficiency
innovative
✗ Incorrect
- Innovative is positive, which does not match the negative problems described
- Creates illogical flow since methods with delays and cost overruns would not be viewed as innovative
adaptable
✗ Incorrect
- Adaptable does not connect to the specific problems mentioned
- Does not set up the contrast with modular techniques effectively
reliable
✗ Incorrect
- Reliable contradicts the evidence since methods with frequent delays and cost overruns are the opposite of reliable
- Creates completely illogical meaning given the context