While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:The International Style emerged in architecture during the 1920s and...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- The International Style emerged in architecture during the 1920s and 1930s.
- Ludwig Mies van der Rohe designed buildings with clean lines, open spaces, and minimal ornamentation.
- His famous phrase "less is more" captured the International Style's aesthetic philosophy.
- Postmodern architecture developed as a reaction to International Style beginning in the 1960s.
- Robert Venturi challenged minimalism with his book "Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture" (1966).
- Venturi's approach embraced historical references, decorative elements, and mixed architectural styles.
The student wants to show the evolution from International Style to Postmodern architecture. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Both Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Robert Venturi were influential architects who shaped modern building design.
The International Style featured clean lines and minimal ornamentation, while Postmodern architecture included decorative elements and historical references.
Beginning with Mies van der Rohe's minimalist "less is more" philosophy in the 1920s-30s, architecture evolved toward Venturi's complex, historically-referential Postmodern approach in the 1960s.
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's International Style emphasized open spaces and clean lines, leading to Robert Venturi's challenge in Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The International Style emerged in architecture during the 1920s and 1930s." |
|
| "Ludwig Mies van der Rohe designed buildings with clean lines, open spaces, and minimal ornamentation." |
|
| "His famous phrase 'less is more' captured the International Style's aesthetic philosophy." |
|
| "Postmodern architecture developed as a reaction to International Style beginning in the 1960s." |
|
| "Robert Venturi challenged minimalism with his book 'Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture' (1966)." |
|
| "Venturi's approach embraced historical references, decorative elements, and mixed architectural styles." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Architecture evolved from the minimalist International Style of the 1920s-30s to the more complex, historically-referential Postmodern approach beginning in the 1960s.
Argument Flow: The notes establish the International Style as a 1920s-30s movement characterized by minimalism through Mies van der Rohe's work and 'less is more' philosophy. They then show how Postmodern architecture emerged in the 1960s as a deliberate reaction, with Robert Venturi challenging minimalism and embracing complexity, decoration, and historical references.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? A choice that shows evolution/progression from International Style to Postmodern architecture
What type of answer do we need? One that demonstrates change over time, showing how one style led to or developed into another
Any limiting keywords? 'evolution' is key - this means we need chronological development, not just comparison
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The correct answer must show the progression from International Style to Postmodern architecture
- It should include the chronological development - mentioning that International Style came first (1920s-30s) and Postmodern came later (1960s) as a response
- It should connect key figures (Mies van der Rohe to International Style, Venturi to Postmodern) and show how the later style developed in reaction to the earlier one
Both Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Robert Venturi were influential architects who shaped modern building design.
✗ Incorrect
- States that both architects were influential but doesn't show any evolution or progression from one style to another
- Simply presents them as equally important without temporal relationship
The International Style featured clean lines and minimal ornamentation, while Postmodern architecture included decorative elements and historical references.
✗ Incorrect
- Contrasts the characteristics of the two styles accurately but presents them as simultaneous comparisons rather than showing evolution
- Students might think contrasting features shows evolution, but evolution requires showing development over time
Beginning with Mies van der Rohe's minimalist "less is more" philosophy in the 1920s-30s, architecture evolved toward Venturi's complex, historically-referential Postmodern approach in the 1960s.
✓ Correct
- Shows clear chronological progression with 'Beginning with...evolved toward'
- Includes specific time periods (1920s-30s to 1960s)
- Connects key figures to their respective movements
- Demonstrates how architecture developed from one approach to another
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's International Style emphasized open spaces and clean lines, leading to Robert Venturi's challenge in Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture.
✗ Incorrect
- Mentions the challenge Venturi posed and uses 'leading to' which suggests progression, but doesn't clearly show evolution
- Focuses more on the challenge/opposition than the developmental progression