The following text is adapted from a neighborhood association newsletter.In the community of Maplewood, longtime resident Margaret Chen observes the...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
The following text is adapted from a neighborhood association newsletter.
In the community of Maplewood, longtime resident Margaret Chen observes the daily life of her street from her front porch. She notices neighbors' routines, family situations, and personal challenges as they unfold around her. With decades of residence, Margaret possesses extensive knowledge about the private affairs of those living nearby. However, personal information never seems to originate from Margaret when neighborhood gossip occasionally surfaces at community gatherings. Neighbors continue greeting her warmly and often pause for conversation, apparently comfortable despite her comprehensive awareness of their lives.
Based on the text, how do Margaret's neighbors most likely regard her?
Many find her constant observation somewhat intrusive but harmless.
Most appreciate her vigilance in monitoring neighborhood safety and security.
Few are concerned that she will share information about their private matters.
Some keep their distance because she knows too much about everyone's affairs.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'In the community of Maplewood, longtime resident Margaret Chen observes the daily life of her street from her front porch.' |
|
| 'She notices neighbors' routines, family situations, and personal challenges as they unfold around her.' |
|
| 'With decades of residence, Margaret possesses extensive knowledge about the private affairs of those living nearby.' |
|
| 'However, personal information never seems to originate from Margaret when neighborhood gossip occasionally surfaces at community gatherings.' |
|
| 'Neighbors continue greeting her warmly and often pause for conversation, apparently comfortable despite her comprehensive awareness of their lives.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Despite Margaret's extensive knowledge of neighbors' private affairs, they remain comfortable around her because she doesn't share their personal information.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes Margaret as someone who observes and knows a lot about her neighbors' private lives, but then reveals the crucial detail that she doesn't spread gossip. This explains why neighbors continue to be warm and comfortable with her despite her comprehensive awareness.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? How Margaret's neighbors regard or view her based on the text evidence
What type of answer do we need? The neighbors' likely attitude or perception of Margaret
Any limiting keywords? 'most likely' indicates we need the best-supported inference from the passage
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The key evidence shows us that neighbors know Margaret is very observant and aware of their private affairs, yet they continue to greet her warmly and feel comfortable talking with her
- The passage also tells us that when gossip does surface, it doesn't come from Margaret
- This suggests that neighbors trust her discretion - they're not worried about her sharing their personal information
- The right answer should reflect that neighbors see Margaret as trustworthy with their private information, despite her extensive knowledge of their affairs
Many find her constant observation somewhat intrusive but harmless.
✗ Incorrect
- This suggests neighbors find her observation 'intrusive,' but the passage shows they're 'comfortable' around her and greet her 'warmly'
Most appreciate her vigilance in monitoring neighborhood safety and security.
✗ Incorrect
- The passage doesn't mention safety, security, or vigilance at all
Few are concerned that she will share information about their private matters.
✓ Correct
- This matches our key evidence perfectly: neighbors remain 'comfortable despite her comprehensive awareness' and the fact that 'personal information never seems to originate from Margaret' supports that few are concerned about her sharing information
Some keep their distance because she knows too much about everyone's affairs.
✗ Incorrect
- This contradicts the passage directly - neighbors don't 'keep their distance' but instead 'continue greeting her warmly and often pause for conversation'