In 2023 literary scholar Jeremy Douglass cautioned technology investors and enthusiasts who predict conventional books' ultimate displacement by newer...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
In 2023 literary scholar Jeremy Douglass cautioned technology investors and enthusiasts who predict conventional books' ultimate displacement by newer forms of media. Douglass observed that the concept of an 'interactive' text is much older than technologists assume, extending back to the first time readers scratched notes into a text's margins. In addition, newer media, such as video games, haven't replaced older forms of entertainment, such as comic books, but rather exist alongside them. Douglass believes that rather than supplanting books, technology is simply making new forms of expression possible.
Which choice best describes the function of the underlined portion in the text as a whole?
It challenges the stance of the investors and enthusiasts who are mentioned earlier in the text.
It explains the basis for the claim made by the technologists mentioned in the text.
It suggests that academics are better suited than investors to see the potential uses of contemporary interactive texts.
It provides a historical anecdote about the technological challenges involved in reading the earliest interactive texts.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'In 2023 literary scholar Jeremy Douglass cautioned technology investors and enthusiasts who predict conventional books' ultimate displacement by newer forms of media.' |
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| 'Douglass observed that the concept of an 'interactive' text is much older than technologists assume, extending back to the first time readers scratched notes into a text's margins.' |
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| 'In addition, newer media, such as video games, haven't replaced older forms of entertainment, such as comic books, but rather exist alongside them.' |
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| 'Douglass believes that rather than supplanting books, technology is simply making new forms of expression possible.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Jeremy Douglass argues that technology will not replace conventional books but will instead create new forms of expression alongside existing ones.
Argument Flow: Douglass challenges technology investors and enthusiasts by arguing that interactive texts are much older than assumed, providing evidence that new media typically coexists with rather than replaces older forms, and concluding that technology simply enables new expression rather than displacement.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The function of the underlined portion within the text as a whole
What type of answer do we need? The role or purpose that this specific sentence serves in the overall argument
Any limiting keywords? 'underlined portion' and 'in the text as a whole' - we need to focus on how this specific part contributes to the entire passage's structure
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The underlined portion is Douglass's observation about interactive texts being older than technologists assume, with margin notes as the original example
- Looking at our passage analysis, this sentence provides Douglass's first argument against the assumptions held by the technology investors and enthusiasts mentioned in the opening
- It directly contradicts their belief by showing that what they consider 'new' interactive technology actually has ancient roots
- So the right answer should explain that this portion challenges or contradicts the views of the technology people mentioned earlier in the passage
It challenges the stance of the investors and enthusiasts who are mentioned earlier in the text.
✓ Correct
- This perfectly captures what the underlined portion does - it challenges the stance of investors and enthusiasts by showing their assumption about interactive texts being new is wrong
- Matches our prethinking that this portion contradicts the technology group's beliefs
It explains the basis for the claim made by the technologists mentioned in the text.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims the portion explains the basis for technologists' claims, but it actually does the opposite
- The underlined portion shows why technologists are wrong, not why they might be right
It suggests that academics are better suited than investors to see the potential uses of contemporary interactive texts.
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests the portion compares academics to investors, but Douglass isn't making a comparison between these groups
- The focus is on challenging assumptions about interactive texts, not comparing different types of people
It provides a historical anecdote about the technological challenges involved in reading the earliest interactive texts.
✗ Incorrect
- Calls this a 'historical anecdote about technological challenges,' but margin notes weren't a technological challenge
- The portion isn't telling a story but making an argument about the age of interactive texts