In the mid-nineteenth century, some abolitionist newspapers _______ westward migration in the United States; by printing a letter that described...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
In the mid-nineteenth century, some abolitionist newspapers _______ westward migration in the United States; by printing a letter that described the easy fortunes and high salaries miners could make in California during the Gold Rush, Frederick Douglass's newspaper North Star was one such publication that inspired readers to relocate.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'In the mid-nineteenth century, some abolitionist newspapers' |
|
| '______' |
|
| 'westward migration in the United States;' |
|
| 'by printing a letter that described the easy fortunes and high salaries miners could make in California during the Gold Rush,' |
|
| 'Frederick Douglass's newspaper North Star was one such publication that inspired readers to relocate.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Some abolitionist newspapers encouraged westward migration by publishing positive information about opportunities in California during the Gold Rush.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes that certain anti-slavery newspapers had some relationship with westward migration, then explains their method was publishing appealing content about California mining opportunities, using Frederick Douglass's North Star as a concrete example that motivated readers to move west.
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 relationship we need to establish is between 'abolitionist newspapers' and 'westward migration'
- The evidence shows newspapers published positive information about California Gold Rush opportunities, and that the North Star 'inspired readers to relocate'
- Since the example shows newspapers encouraging people to move west through positive coverage, the missing word should indicate that these newspapers promoted or encouraged westward migration
✓ Correct
- 'Stimulated' means encouraged or promoted activity
- Fits perfectly with the evidence that these newspapers published appealing content about western opportunities and matches the example showing North Star 'inspired readers to relocate'
✗ Incorrect
- 'Assigned' means to allocate or designate something to someone
- Newspapers don't have authority to assign migration to people
- Doesn't connect logically with the explanation about publishing letters
✗ Incorrect
- 'Opposed' means resisted or fought against
- Directly contradicts the evidence that North Star 'inspired readers to relocate'
- This choice might tempt students who think abolitionist newspapers would oppose westward expansion due to slavery concerns, but the passage clearly shows these particular newspapers encouraged it
✗ Incorrect
- 'Disregarded' means ignored or paid no attention to
- Contradicts the entire explanation showing active newspaper involvement in promoting western migration