While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:In the early 1900s, suffragists organized marches for women's voting...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- In the early 1900s, suffragists organized marches for women's voting rights.
- Suffragists in the United Kingdom marched from Edinburgh to London.
- This march began on October 12, 1912, and ended on November 16, 1912.
- Suffragists in the United States marched from New York City to Albany, New York.
- This march began on December 16, 1912, and ended on December 28, 1912.
The student wants to emphasize the order in which the two marches occurred. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
After suffragists in the UK marched from Edinburgh to London, suffragists in the US marched from New York City to Albany, New York.
In the early 1900s, suffragists in the UK and the US marched for women's voting rights.
A march from New York City to Albany, New York, was followed by one that began in Edinburgh and ended in London.
From October 12 to November 16, 1912, suffragists in the UK marched from Edinburgh to London.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "In the early 1900s, suffragists organized marches for women's voting rights." |
|
| "Suffragists in the United Kingdom marched from Edinburgh to London." |
|
| "This march began on October 12, 1912, and ended on November 16, 1912." |
|
| "Suffragists in the United States marched from New York City to Albany, New York." |
|
| "This march began on December 16, 1912, and ended on December 28, 1912." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The notes document two specific suffragist marches that occurred in 1912 - one in the UK and one in the US, with precise dates and locations.
Argument Flow: The notes establish the broader historical context of suffragist marches, then provide detailed information about two specific marches: first describing the UK march with its route and dates, then describing the US march with its route and dates.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The student wants to emphasize the chronological order in which the two marches occurred.
What type of answer do we need? A sentence that clearly shows which march happened first and which happened second.
Any limiting keywords? "Order" is the key limiting concept - the answer must make the sequence of events clear.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Looking at our timeline, the UK march happened first (October 12 - November 16, 1912), and the US march happened second (December 16 - December 28, 1912)
- To emphasize order effectively, the correct answer should: clearly indicate that the UK march came before the US march, use language that signals sequence, and include enough detail to identify both marches distinctly
After suffragists in the UK marched from Edinburgh to London, suffragists in the US marched from New York City to Albany, New York.
✓ Correct
- Uses "After suffragists in the UK marched..." followed by "suffragists in the US marched..." which creates perfect chronological flow
- The word "After" explicitly signals that the UK march happened first
In the early 1900s, suffragists in the UK and the US marched for women's voting rights.
✗ Incorrect
- Simply states both marches happened "in the early 1900s" without any indication of which came first
- Completely fails to address the student's goal of emphasizing order
A march from New York City to Albany, New York, was followed by one that began in Edinburgh and ended in London.
✗ Incorrect
- Gets the chronological order backwards by saying the NY to Albany march "was followed by" the Edinburgh to London march
- According to the dates, this presents the December march as happening before the October-November march
From October 12 to November 16, 1912, suffragists in the UK marched from Edinburgh to London.
✗ Incorrect
- Only mentions the UK march with its specific dates
- Provides no information about the US march, making any comparison of order impossible