While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:In the midst of the US Civil War, Susie Taylor...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- In the midst of the US Civil War, Susie Taylor escaped slavery and fled to Union-army-occupied St. Simons Island off the Georgia coast.
- She began working for an all-Black army regiment as a nurse and teacher.
- In 1902, she published a book about the time she spent with the regiment.
- Her book was the only Civil War memoir to be published by a Black woman.
- It is still available to readers in print and online.
The student wants to emphasize the uniqueness of Taylor's accomplishment. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Taylor fled to St. Simons Island, which was then occupied by the Union army, for whom she began working.
After escaping slavery, Taylor began working for an all-Black army regiment as a nurse and teacher.
The book Taylor wrote about the time she spent with the regiment is still available to readers in print and online.
Taylor was the only Black woman to publish a Civil War memoir.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "In the midst of the US Civil War, Susie Taylor escaped slavery and fled to Union-army-occupied St. Simons Island off the Georgia coast." |
|
| "She began working for an all-Black army regiment as a nurse and teacher." |
|
| "In 1902, she published a book about the time she spent with the regiment." |
|
| "Her book was the only Civil War memoir to be published by a Black woman." |
|
| "It is still available to readers in print and online." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Susie Taylor escaped slavery during the Civil War, served as a nurse and teacher for a Black regiment, and uniquely became the only Black woman to publish a Civil War memoir.
Argument Flow: The notes begin with Taylor's wartime escape and service, then highlight her post-war literary achievement. The emphasis builds to her unique distinction as the sole Black woman to publish a Civil War memoir, concluding with the book's continuing availability today.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? We need to choose which option most effectively emphasizes the uniqueness of Taylor's accomplishment.
What type of answer do we need? A sentence that specifically highlights what made Taylor's achievement distinctive or one-of-a-kind.
Any limiting keywords? "Uniqueness" is the key limiting word - we're not looking for any accomplishment, but specifically what made Taylor's achievement special or rare.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- From our analysis, Taylor's unique accomplishment was being the only Black woman to publish a Civil War memoir
- This is explicitly stated in the notes as what made her distinctive
- The right answer should directly highlight this unprecedented achievement rather than just describing her other activities or general information about her book
Taylor fled to St. Simons Island, which was then occupied by the Union army, for whom she began working.
- Describes Taylor's escape and initial work situation
- Focuses on her wartime actions rather than her unique literary accomplishment
After escaping slavery, Taylor began working for an all-Black army regiment as a nurse and teacher.
- Details Taylor's roles as nurse and teacher after escaping slavery
- Describes her service but not what made her achievement unique
The book Taylor wrote about the time she spent with the regiment is still available to readers in print and online.
- Mentions the book's current availability in multiple formats
- Focuses on accessibility rather than what made the book unique when published
Taylor was the only Black woman to publish a Civil War memoir.
- Directly states that Taylor was "the only Black woman to publish a Civil War memoir"
- Perfectly matches our prethinking by emphasizing the unprecedented nature of her accomplishment
- ✓ Correct