While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Historic downtown revitalization programs gained popularity in American cities duri...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Historic downtown revitalization programs gained popularity in American cities during the 1990s and 2000s.
- These initiatives typically involve restoring old commercial buildings and attracting new businesses to create vibrant cultural districts.
- Proponents argue that historic preservation generates tourism revenue and creates local jobs.
- In 2023, urban studies researcher Dr. Linda Rodriguez published an analysis of 40 downtown revitalization projects.
- Her investigation revealed that "successful aesthetic transformations often coincide with the displacement of longtime community members and local businesses."
- Rodriguez concluded that many preservation efforts prioritize visual appeal over existing community needs.
The student wants to use a quotation to highlight a concern about historic revitalization programs. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Rodriguez's analysis of 40 downtown projects revealed that historic preservation efforts often produce outcomes where "successful aesthetic transformations often coincide with the displacement of longtime community members and local businesses."
Historic downtown revitalization programs have been promoted as economic development tools, with proponents arguing that preservation "generates tourism revenue and creates local jobs."
Rodriguez's 2023 study examined preservation initiatives that "gained popularity in American cities during the 1990s and 2000s."
While historic preservation has proven popular for decades, Rodriguez's research questions whether community impacts are being adequately considered.
Looking at this Rhetorical Synthesis question, I need to help the student understand how to identify and use quotations that effectively support their specific rhetorical goal.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Historic downtown revitalization programs gained popularity in American cities during the 1990s and 2000s." |
|
| "These initiatives typically involve restoring old commercial buildings and attracting new businesses to create vibrant cultural districts." |
|
| "Proponents argue that historic preservation generates tourism revenue and creates local jobs." |
|
| "In 2023, urban studies researcher Dr. Linda Rodriguez published an analysis of 40 downtown revitalization projects." |
|
| "Her investigation revealed that 'successful aesthetic transformations often coincide with the displacement of longtime community members and local businesses.'" |
|
| "Rodriguez concluded that many preservation efforts prioritize visual appeal over existing community needs." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: While historic revitalization programs are promoted for their economic benefits, research suggests they often displace existing communities in favor of visual improvements.
Argument Flow: The notes establish what revitalization programs are and their claimed benefits, then introduce research that reveals a concerning pattern where successful visual transformations coincide with displacement of longtime residents and businesses.
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 main concern revealed in the notes is that revitalization programs can displace longtime community members and local businesses
- The direct quotation that captures this concern is: "successful aesthetic transformations often coincide with the displacement of longtime community members and local businesses"
- The right answer should use this exact quotation because it directly states the problematic outcome - that making areas look better often means pushing out the people and businesses that were already there
Rodriguez's analysis of 40 downtown projects revealed that historic preservation efforts often produce outcomes where "successful aesthetic transformations often coincide with the displacement of longtime community members and local businesses."
✓ Correct
- Uses the exact quotation about "successful aesthetic transformations often coincide with the displacement of longtime community members and local businesses"
- Directly highlights the concern that beautification efforts push out existing communities
Historic downtown revitalization programs have been promoted as economic development tools, with proponents arguing that preservation "generates tourism revenue and creates local jobs."
✗ Incorrect
- Uses a quotation about benefits: "generates tourism revenue and creates local jobs"
- Shows what proponents claim, not a concern about the programs
Rodriguez's 2023 study examined preservation initiatives that "gained popularity in American cities during the 1990s and 2000s."
✗ Incorrect
- Uses a quotation about timing: "gained popularity in American cities during the 1990s and 2000s"
- This is just historical background, not a concern about negative effects
While historic preservation has proven popular for decades, Rodriguez's research questions whether community impacts are being adequately considered.
✗ Incorrect
- Doesn't use a quotation at all - it paraphrases Rodriguez's research
- The question specifically requires using a quotation