In the 1960s, Sam Gilliam, a Black painter from the southern United States, became the first artist to drape painted...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
In the 1960s, Sam Gilliam, a Black painter from the southern United States, became the first artist to drape painted canvases into flowing shapes. He later explored a different style, ________ quilt-like paintings inspired by the patchwork quilting tradition of Black communities in the South.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
predicting
refusing
hiding
creating
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "In the 1960s, Sam Gilliam, a Black painter from the southern United States, became the first artist to drape painted canvases into flowing shapes." |
|
| "He later explored a different style, ______" |
|
| "quilt-like paintings inspired by the patchwork quilting tradition of Black communities in the South." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Sam Gilliam was an innovative Black painter who first developed draped canvas techniques, then later worked with a different style involving quilt-like paintings connected to Black Southern traditions.
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
- We know Gilliam moved from one artistic innovation (draped canvases) to exploring "a different style."
- The blank describes what he did with "quilt-like paintings."
- Since he's an artist and painter, and these are described as paintings he worked with, the missing word should describe some form of artistic production or creation.
predicting
- "Predicting" means forecasting or anticipating future events.
- Doesn't make sense for an artist working with paintings - you don't "predict" artworks, you make them.
refusing
- "Refusing" means declining or rejecting something.
- Contradicts the context that he "explored" this different style - refusing would mean he avoided it.
hiding
- "Hiding" means concealing or keeping something secret.
- Makes no sense in the context of an artist's work - artists typically want to display their creations.
creating
- "Creating" means making or producing something.
- Perfectly fits an artist's work with paintings - this is what painters do.
- Aligns with "explored a different style" - he explored it by creating works in that style.