While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Here I Have Returned is a sculpture by Egyptian American...

GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions

Source: Practice Test

Expression of Ideas

Rhetorical Synthesis

MEDIUM

...

Notes

Post a Query

While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:

Here I Have Returned is a sculpture by Egyptian American artist Sherin Guirguis.
It is a large, curved strip of wood inspired by the shape of a sistrum.
A sistrum is a curved musical instrument played by ancient Egyptian priestesses in ceremonies.
Guirguis says that the sculpture symbolizes 'women who have lifted and supported Egyptian society and culture.'
Overall, Guirguis wants her works to 'engage audiences in a dialogue about power, agency, and social transformation.'

The student wants to use a quotation from Guirguis to explain what the sculpture represents. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

Guirguis, whose works include a sculpture that is a large, curved strip of wood, has explained that she wants her work to create a dialogue with audiences.

Inspired by the sistrum played by Egyptian priestesses, Here I Have Returned symbolizes 'women who have lifted and supported Egyptian society and culture,' according to Guirguis.

According to Guirguis, the curved strip of wood used in Here I Have Returned was inspired by the sistrum, a musical instrument played by ancient Egyptian priestesses in ceremonies.

Guirguis, the sculptor of Here I Have Returned, wants her works to 'engage audiences in a dialogue about power, agency, and social transformation.'

Solution

Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage

Create Passage Analysis Table

Text from Passage	Analysis
Here I Have Returned is a sculpture by Egyptian American artist Sherin Guirguis.	What it says: Sculpture = Here I Have Returned, artist = Guirguis (Egyptian American) What it does: Introduces the artwork and its creator What it is: Basic identification/context
It is a large, curved strip of wood inspired by the shape of a sistrum.	What it says: Physical form = large curved wood strip, inspired by sistrum shape What it does: Describes the sculpture's appearance and inspiration source What it is: Physical description + inspiration
A sistrum is a curved musical instrument played by ancient Egyptian priestesses in ceremonies.	What it says: Sistrum = curved instrument, used by Egyptian priestesses in ceremonies What it does: Explains what a sistrum is and its historical context What it is: Background/definition
Guirguis says that the sculpture symbolizes 'women who have lifted and supported Egyptian society and culture.'	What it says: Artist's interpretation = sculpture symbolizes supportive women in Egyptian society What it does: Provides the artist's explanation of the sculpture's meaning What it is: Artist's symbolic interpretation
Overall, Guirguis wants her works to 'engage audiences in a dialogue about power, agency, and social transformation.'	What it says: Artist's broader goal = engage audiences in dialogue about power/agency/transformation What it does: Explains the artist's general artistic mission What it is: Artist's overall artistic philosophy

Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements

Main Point: The notes describe a sculpture by Sherin Guirguis that draws on ancient Egyptian religious imagery to honor women's contributions to Egyptian society and culture.

Argument Flow: The notes move from basic identification to physical description, then explain the historical inspiration (sistrum used by priestesses), provide the artist's specific interpretation of this sculpture's meaning, and conclude with her broader artistic goals across all her work.

Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely

What's being asked? Which choice most effectively uses a quotation from Guirguis to explain what the sculpture represents.

What type of answer do we need? A choice that combines a direct quote from the artist with an explanation of the sculpture's meaning/symbolism.

Any limiting keywords? 'quotation from Guirguis' (must include her direct words) and 'explain what the sculpture represents' (must focus on meaning/symbolism, not just description or general artistic goals).

Step 3: Prethink the Answer

First, it must include an actual quotation from Guirguis—her exact words in quotation marks
Second, that quotation should specifically explain what this sculpture symbolizes or represents, not just describe its physical form or her general artistic philosophy
Third, the answer should include relevant contextual information from the notes to help explain why this quote is meaningful
From our notes, there are two quotes from Guirguis: one about what this specific sculpture symbolizes ('women who have lifted and supported Egyptian society and culture') and one about her broader artistic goals ('engage audiences in a dialogue about power, agency, and social transformation')
The first quote directly addresses what THIS sculpture represents, while the second is more general
So the right answer should use the quote about supportive women and connect it to the sculpture's meaning, likely including relevant context about the sistrum inspiration

Answer Choices Explained

Guirguis, whose works include a sculpture that is a large, curved strip of wood, has explained that she wants her work to create a dialogue with audiences.

✗ Incorrect

Uses a quote about Guirguis wanting to create dialogue with audiences
This is her general artistic philosophy, not what THIS sculpture specifically represents
Doesn't accomplish the goal of explaining what the sculpture symbolizes

Inspired by the sistrum played by Egyptian priestesses, Here I Have Returned symbolizes 'women who have lifted and supported Egyptian society and culture,' according to Guirguis.

✓ Correct

Uses the direct quote 'women who have lifted and supported Egyptian society and culture' which specifically explains what the sculpture represents
Includes relevant context about the sistrum and Egyptian priestesses, showing the connection between the inspiration and the meaning
Perfectly accomplishes the stated goal of using a Guirguis quotation to explain the sculpture's symbolic meaning

According to Guirguis, the curved strip of wood used in Here I Have Returned was inspired by the sistrum, a musical instrument played by ancient Egyptian priestesses in ceremonies.

✗ Incorrect

Focuses on what inspired the sculpture (the sistrum) rather than what it represents or symbolizes
While it includes relevant information about the sistrum, it doesn't use a quote that explains the sculpture's meaning
Addresses inspiration rather than representation

Guirguis, the sculptor of Here I Have Returned, wants her works to 'engage audiences in a dialogue about power, agency, and social transformation.'

✗ Incorrect

Uses a quote about Guirguis's general artistic goals across all her works
This quote doesn't specifically explain what 'Here I Have Returned' represents
Too broad—the goal asks for what THIS sculpture represents, not her overall artistic mission

Rate this Solution

Tell us what you think about this solution

...

Forum Discussions

Start a new discussion

Post

Previous Attempts

Loading attempts...