The following text is about Jake's experience during his first university lecture.Jake entered the massive lecture hall and found a...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
The following text is about Jake's experience during his first university lecture.
Jake entered the massive lecture hall and found a seat near the back. The professor's reputation for challenging coursework was well-known on campus. He had never taken such an advanced class before. Jake felt anxious about keeping up with the material, but he was also curious to explore these new ideas.
According to the text, what accounts for Jake's conflicted feelings about the class?
His determination to excel and his systematic approach to learning.
His inexperience with advanced classes and his curiosity about new concepts.
His confidence in his preparation and his calm demeanor.
His disinterest in the subject and his impatience with lectures.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Jake entered the massive lecture hall and found a seat near the back." |
|
| "The professor's reputation for challenging coursework was well-known on campus." |
|
| "He had never taken such an advanced class before." |
|
| "Jake felt anxious about keeping up with the material, but he was also curious to explore these new ideas." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Jake experiences mixed feelings about his first advanced university class—both anxiety and excitement.
Argument Flow: The passage sets up Jake in a challenging academic environment, explains why it's intimidating, then directly states his conflicted feelings of worry and curiosity.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The cause or explanation for Jake's conflicted feelings about the class
What type of answer do we need? A reason that explains why Jake has mixed emotions
Any limiting keywords? Content Genre: Humanities & Social Sciences, Content Format: Text-only, Question Type: Central Ideas and Details, Language Complexity: Accessible
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- From our analysis, Jake's conflicted feelings come from two sources: His anxiety stems from being inexperienced with advanced classes, and his curiosity comes from interest in exploring new concepts
- The right answer should mention both his lack of experience and his intellectual curiosity
His determination to excel and his systematic approach to learning.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims Jake has determination and systematic approach, but passage shows anxiety, not determination
His inexperience with advanced classes and his curiosity about new concepts.
✓ Correct
- Matches exactly: inexperience with advanced classes explains anxiety, curiosity about new concepts explains positive feelings
His confidence in his preparation and his calm demeanor.
✗ Incorrect
- Describes confidence and calm demeanor, but passage explicitly states Jake felt anxious
His disinterest in the subject and his impatience with lectures.
✗ Incorrect
- Mentions disinterest in subject, but passage shows Jake is curious about exploring new ideas