During the course of academic research, a student has compiled the following notes on a particular topic:In 1890, the United...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
During the course of academic research, a student has compiled the following notes on a particular topic:
- In 1890, the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) was established to advocate for coal mining workers.
- Improving hazardous conditions within coal mining operations was the union's core objective.
- In 1898, John Mitchell assumed leadership of the UMWA and spearheaded significant organizational efforts.
- The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act was enacted into law in 1977.
- This far-reaching legislation instituted required safety protocols for all mining operations.
- Persistent advocacy from the UMWA played a vital role in securing passage of this legislation.
The student seeks to emphasize a significant achievement of the UMWA. Which option most effectively utilizes pertinent details from the notes to achieve this objective?
The UMWA was established in 1890, with John Mitchell subsequently assuming leadership and directing significant organizational efforts across the sector.
Persistent advocacy from the UMWA played a vital role in securing passage of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, far-reaching legislation that instituted required safety protocols for all mining operations.
Established in 1890 to advocate for coal mining workers, the UMWA's core objective was addressing the hazardous conditions present in coal mining operations.
In 1977, the UMWA enacted the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act to institute required safety protocols for hazardous mining activities.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "In 1890, the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) was established to advocate for coal mining workers." |
|
| "Improving hazardous conditions within coal mining operations was the union's core objective." |
|
| "In 1898, John Mitchell assumed leadership of the UMWA and spearheaded significant organizational efforts." |
|
| "The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act was enacted into law in 1977." |
|
| "This far-reaching legislation instituted required safety protocols for all mining operations." |
|
| "Persistent advocacy from the UMWA played a vital role in securing passage of this legislation." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The notes trace the UMWA from its founding in 1890 through its significant role in securing passage of comprehensive federal mine safety legislation in 1977.
Argument Flow: The notes establish the union's founding and safety-focused mission, introduce key leadership under Mitchell, then culminate with their major legislative achievement - playing a vital role in securing passage of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, which instituted mandatory safety protocols across all mining operations.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which option most effectively emphasizes a significant achievement of the UMWA using details from the notes.
What type of answer do we need? A statement that highlights a major accomplishment or success of the union, not just basic facts about its founding or mission.
Any limiting keywords? "significant achievement" - we need something that represents real success or impact, not just organizational details. "Most effectively" means we're looking for the strongest, most impactful example.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Looking at our notes, we need to identify what represents a "significant achievement" rather than just basic organizational information
- The establishment of the union and Mitchell's leadership are important, but they're more about setup and organization
- The real achievement is getting major federal legislation passed - the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act in 1977
- This represents concrete success in their core mission of improving mining safety, and the notes specifically say UMWA advocacy was "vital" to making it happen
- So the right answer should highlight this legislative victory and emphasize the union's crucial role in securing passage of comprehensive federal mine safety legislation that affected all mining operations
The UMWA was established in 1890, with John Mitchell subsequently assuming leadership and directing significant organizational efforts across the sector.
- Focuses on the union's founding and Mitchell's leadership role
- These are organizational details, not achievements or accomplishments
- Doesn't demonstrate any concrete success or impact from the union's work
Persistent advocacy from the UMWA played a vital role in securing passage of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, far-reaching legislation that instituted required safety protocols for all mining operations.
- Directly states the UMWA's vital role in securing passage of major federal legislation
- Shows concrete achievement - getting comprehensive mine safety law enacted
- Emphasizes the far-reaching impact with required protocols for all mining operations
- This represents the union's biggest success in achieving their core mission of improving mining safety
Established in 1890 to advocate for coal mining workers, the UMWA's core objective was addressing the hazardous conditions present in coal mining operations.
- Simply restates the union's founding date and stated objective
- Describes what they intended to do, not what they actually achieved
- No demonstration of success or concrete accomplishment
In 1977, the UMWA enacted the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act to institute required safety protocols for hazardous mining activities.
- Incorrectly states that the UMWA enacted the legislation themselves
- The notes clearly say the Act "was enacted into law," implying government action, not union action