In 1976, concerned about the lack of accessible research on renewable energy, Dr. Sarah Chen established a small working group...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
In 1976, concerned about the lack of accessible research on renewable energy, Dr. Sarah Chen established a small working group in her university laboratory to investigate solar panel efficiency. Word of the group's innovative findings spread quickly throughout the academic community, attracting researchers from multiple institutions who wanted to collaborate. By 1982, this informal network had evolved into the Solar Energy Research Consortium, securing federal funding and a dedicated facility. The Consortium has since broadened its research scope to encompass wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal technologies. Today, nearly five decades later, it remains a leading force in training the next generation of renewable energy scientists.
Which choice best describes the overall purpose of the text?
To provide an overview of the development and mission of the Solar Energy Research Consortium
To explain the specific research methods used by the Solar Energy Research Consortium
To compare different renewable energy technologies studied by the Solar Energy Research Consortium
To describe Dr. Chen's motivation for founding the Solar Energy Research Consortium
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'In 1976, concerned about the lack of accessible research on renewable energy, Dr. Sarah Chen established a small working group in her university laboratory to investigate solar panel efficiency.' |
|
| 'Word of the group's innovative findings spread quickly throughout the academic community, attracting researchers from multiple institutions who wanted to collaborate.' |
|
| 'By 1982, this informal network had evolved into the Solar Energy Research Consortium, securing federal funding and a dedicated facility.' |
|
| 'The Consortium has since broadened its research scope to encompass wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal technologies.' |
|
| 'Today, nearly five decades later, it remains a leading force in training the next generation of renewable energy scientists.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture
Main Point: The passage traces the development of Dr. Chen's initial small research group into today's prominent Solar Energy Research Consortium.
Argument Flow: The text follows a chronological progression showing how a concerned researcher's small 1976 working group grew through academic interest and collaboration into a formalized, federally-funded consortium by 1982, which then expanded its research scope and continues today as a major force in renewable energy education.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
- What's being asked? The overall purpose of the entire text
- What type of answer do we need? The main function or goal that the passage serves
- Any limiting keywords? Overall purpose means we need to capture the text's primary function, not just a detail
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The passage chronicles how Dr. Chen's small 1976 research group evolved into today's Solar Energy Research Consortium.
- We see the organization's development through key stages: initial founding, growth through collaboration, formal establishment with federal support, expansion of research scope, and current status as a training leader.
- The right answer should capture both the developmental journey and the organization's mission.
To provide an overview of the development and mission of the Solar Energy Research Consortium
✓ Correct
- Correct - Captures both development (chronological progression from 1976 to today) and mission (renewable energy research and scientist training)
To explain the specific research methods used by the Solar Energy Research Consortium
✗ Incorrect
- Incorrect - The passage never explains specific research methods, only what they research
To compare different renewable energy technologies studied by the Solar Energy Research Consortium
✗ Incorrect
- Incorrect - While multiple technologies are mentioned, the passage doesn't compare them
To describe Dr. Chen's motivation for founding the Solar Energy Research Consortium
✗ Incorrect
- Incorrect - Dr. Chen's motivation is only briefly mentioned; the passage focuses on organizational development over decades