Iowa's commitment to agricultural education funding, combined with abundant farmland availability, created ideal conditions for educational expansion ...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Iowa's commitment to agricultural education funding, combined with abundant farmland availability, created ideal conditions for educational expansion in the early 1900s. This unique combination of resources led the state to establish seven agricultural colleges between 1900 and 1920. The success was remarkable when compared to neighboring regions: Illinois and Wisconsin each managed only three institutions during the same timeframe. Throughout the American Midwest, agricultural colleges were experiencing rapid growth as states recognized the need to serve farming communities, but Iowa's systematic approach to development set it apart from the broader regional trend.
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
To demonstrate that agricultural colleges flourished in the Midwest and particularly in Iowa during the early 1900s
To argue that agricultural colleges in Iowa were more influential than those in Illinois and Wisconsin during the early 1900s
To compare agricultural colleges established in the Midwest today with ones established there during the early 1900s
To explain why agricultural colleges established in Iowa were so popular among farmers in neighboring states during the early 1900s
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Iowa's commitment to agricultural education funding, combined with abundant farmland availability, created ideal conditions for educational expansion in the early 1900s." |
|
| "This unique combination of resources led the state to establish seven agricultural colleges between 1900 and 1920." |
|
| "The success was remarkable when compared to neighboring regions: Illinois and Wisconsin each managed only three institutions during the same timeframe." |
|
| "Throughout the American Midwest, agricultural colleges were experiencing rapid growth as states recognized the need to serve farming communities, but Iowa's systematic approach to development set it apart from the broader regional trend." |
|
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 passage fundamentally shows how agricultural colleges succeeded in the Midwest, with Iowa as the standout example
- The author presents Iowa's impressive numbers (7 colleges), contrasts them with neighboring states (3 each), and places this within the broader Midwest context of rapid growth
- The correct answer should demonstrate that agricultural colleges experienced growth and success in the Midwest, with Iowa as the leading example during the early 1900s
To demonstrate that agricultural colleges flourished in the Midwest and particularly in Iowa during the early 1900s
✓ Correct
- This perfectly captures the passage's main purpose by acknowledging both the regional trend (Midwest agricultural colleges flourished) and Iowa's standout role
To argue that agricultural colleges in Iowa were more influential than those in Illinois and Wisconsin during the early 1900s
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on influence which the passage never discusses
- The passage compares numbers of institutions established, not their influence or impact
To compare agricultural colleges established in the Midwest today with ones established there during the early 1900s
✗ Incorrect
- Claims the passage compares colleges today with those from the early 1900s
- The passage only discusses the early 1900s period
To explain why agricultural colleges established in Iowa were so popular among farmers in neighboring states during the early 1900s
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests the passage explains popularity among farmers in neighboring states
- The passage discusses Iowa establishing colleges, not their popularity with out-of-state farmers