While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:In 2019, medical historians examining archived materials from a rural...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- In 2019, medical historians examining archived materials from a rural clinic in Northern Canada made an unexpected discovery.
- Patient records dating from 1987 contained systematic documentation of a rare genetic condition's characteristics.
- The detailed observations were made by Dr. Robert Blackwood, who recorded genetic family histories and symptom patterns at the clinic.
- Sixteen years later, Dr. Patricia Chen would publish her landmark 2003 study identifying genetic markers for what became known as Chen-Nakamura syndrome.
- Chen's research brought her widespread recognition as the first researcher to characterize this rare genetic condition.
- Medical historian Dr. Sarah Mitchell has analyzed Blackwood's archived notes, finding they describe symptoms and patterns identical to those in Chen's later publication.
The student wants to emphasize the significance of the archived records to Chen's medical legacy. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Mitchell's analysis revealed that the 1987 records contained detailed observations of symptoms and genetic patterns identical to Chen's 2003 findings.
The archived clinic records discovered in 2019 documented systematic observations that Blackwood made starting in 1987.
Evidence that Blackwood systematically documented the genetic condition's characteristics as early as 1987 suggests that Chen may not have been the first researcher to characterize Chen-Nakamura syndrome.
In 2019, medical historians discovered that detailed patient records from a rural Canadian clinic predated Chen's landmark study by sixteen years.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "In 2019, medical historians examining archived materials from a rural clinic in Northern Canada made an unexpected discovery." |
|
| "Patient records dating from 1987 contained systematic documentation of a rare genetic condition's characteristics." |
|
| "The detailed observations were made by Dr. Robert Blackwood, who recorded genetic family histories and symptom patterns at the clinic." |
|
| "Sixteen years later, Dr. Patricia Chen would publish her landmark 2003 study identifying genetic markers for what became known as Chen-Nakamura syndrome." |
|
| "Chen's research brought her widespread recognition as the first researcher to characterize this rare genetic condition." |
|
| "Medical historian Dr. Sarah Mitchell has analyzed Blackwood's archived notes, finding they describe symptoms and patterns identical to those in Chen's later publication." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Archived records from 1987 contain documentation of a genetic condition identical to what Chen was later credited with being the first to characterize in 2003.
Argument Flow: The notes establish a timeline where Blackwood documented a condition in 1987, Chen received recognition for being the first to characterize that same condition in 2003, but recent analysis shows Blackwood's earlier work was identical to Chen's, raising questions about the first designation.
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 archived records are significant to Chen's legacy because they challenge her status as the first researcher to characterize this condition
- The records show that Blackwood documented the same condition 16 years before Chen's recognized work
- This directly impacts Chen's legacy by suggesting her claim to being first may not be accurate
- The right answer should directly address how these archived records change or challenge Chen's recognized position as the first researcher to characterize this condition
Mitchell's analysis revealed that the 1987 records contained detailed observations of symptoms and genetic patterns identical to Chen's 2003 findings.
✗ Incorrect
- This choice focuses on what Mitchell found rather than what it means for Chen's legacy
- It describes the discovery but doesn't connect it to the significance for Chen's reputation
- Misses the impact on Chen's first researcher status
The archived clinic records discovered in 2019 documented systematic observations that Blackwood made starting in 1987.
✗ Incorrect
- Only describes what the records contained, not their significance
- Doesn't mention Chen at all, so can't address impact on her legacy
- Provides factual information but no analysis of meaning
Evidence that Blackwood systematically documented the genetic condition's characteristics as early as 1987 suggests that Chen may not have been the first researcher to characterize Chen-Nakamura syndrome.
✓ Correct
- Directly addresses Chen's legacy by questioning her first researcher status
- Uses the key evidence (Blackwood's 1987 documentation) to challenge Chen's recognition
- The phrase may not have been the first directly impacts her legacy and reputation
- This is exactly what makes the archived records significant - they potentially change medical history's understanding of who deserves credit
In 2019, medical historians discovered that detailed patient records from a rural Canadian clinic predated Chen's landmark study by sixteen years.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on the timeline (16 years earlier) but doesn't explain the significance
- Doesn't directly address what this means for Chen's legacy
- Students might think mentioning the time gap is enough, but the question asks for significance to Chen's legacy specifically