The following text is adapted from a 2023 workplace newsletter. An employee is describing her interest in a leadership development...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The following text is adapted from a 2023 workplace newsletter. An employee is describing her interest in a leadership development program.
I know I haven't been here as long as some candidates, but I bring a unique perspective from my previous career in nonprofit management. While others focus on traditional metrics, I excel at building consensus among diverse stakeholders and finding creative solutions when resources are limited. My experience managing cross-sector partnerships could really benefit our expansion into new markets.
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
To explain why the employee believes she would be valuable in the leadership program
To describe the requirements for the leadership development program
To compare different approaches to business leadership
To outline strategies for managing nonprofit organizations
Student-Facing Solution
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "I know I haven't been here as long as some candidates, but I bring a unique perspective from my previous career in nonprofit management." |
|
| "While others focus on traditional metrics, I excel at building consensus among diverse stakeholders and finding creative solutions when resources are limited." |
|
| "My experience managing cross-sector partnerships could really benefit our expansion into new markets." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The employee is making a case for her candidacy in the leadership program by positioning her nonprofit background as a unique asset that would benefit the company.
Argument Flow: She opens by acknowledging she's newer than other candidates but immediately pivots to highlight her distinctive nonprofit experience. She then contrasts her collaborative, resource-efficient approach with others' traditional methods, and concludes by connecting her cross-sector partnership experience directly to the company's expansion goals.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The main purpose of the entire text
What type of answer do we need? The overall reason this text exists - what the employee is trying to accomplish
Any limiting keywords? "Main purpose" tells us we need the central, overarching goal, not a specific detail
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The employee is clearly trying to persuade someone that she deserves consideration for the leadership program
- She's building a case by acknowledging her shorter tenure but reframing it, highlighting unique skills from her nonprofit background, and showing how her experience directly benefits the company
To explain why the employee believes she would be valuable in the leadership program
✓ Correct
- Correctly captures what we identified - the employee explaining why she believes she'd be valuable
- Matches our analysis that this is her persuasive case for the program
To describe the requirements for the leadership development program
✗ Incorrect
- Claims the text describes program requirements, but the passage never mentions what the program requires or its qualifications
To compare different approaches to business leadership
✗ Incorrect
- Says the text compares different leadership approaches, but she's contrasting herself with others to highlight her uniqueness, not analyzing leadership styles
To outline strategies for managing nonprofit organizations
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests the text outlines nonprofit management strategies, but she mentions her nonprofit experience as evidence for her candidacy, not instruction for others