Janet Echelman is a sculptor and fiber artist. She has installed giant sculptures all over the world. Echelman uses bright...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Janet Echelman is a sculptor and fiber artist. She has installed giant sculptures all over the world. Echelman uses bright and flowing materials, which mimic the wind. However, while her sculptures appear as delicate as a breeze, they are actually very durable.
Which quotation from an article about Echelman's sculptures, if true, would most effectively illustrate the underlined claim?
Echelman uses a special program that makes a 3D model of the sculpture.
The first part of planning a new sculpture is done using paper and pencil, and then a digital program is used to finalize the design.
The materials that Echelman uses to build her sculptures are both flexible and strong.
Each sculpture is designed to reflect local landmarks from the area in which it is eventually installed.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Janet Echelman is a sculptor and fiber artist." |
|
| "She has installed giant sculptures all over the world." |
|
| "Echelman uses bright and flowing materials, which mimic the wind." |
|
| "However, while her sculptures appear as delicate as a breeze, they are actually very durable." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Janet Echelman creates large-scale sculptures that use flowing, wind-like materials but contrast their delicate appearance with surprising durability.
Argument Flow: The passage introduces Echelman and establishes her field, then builds understanding of her work's scale and aesthetic qualities, before revealing the key contrast that defines her sculptures—they look fragile but are built to last.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which quotation would most effectively illustrate the underlined claim about the contrast between appearance and reality in Echelman's sculptures.
What type of answer do we need? Evidence that supports the specific claim that sculptures "appear as delicate as a breeze" but "are actually very durable."
Any limiting keywords? "Most effectively illustrate" means we need the strongest, most direct support for this appearance vs. reality contrast.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The correct answer must address both sides of the contrast: the delicate appearance AND the durable reality
- It should provide concrete evidence that Echelman's sculptures have this seemingly contradictory quality—looking fragile while being strong
- We need something that directly speaks to the materials or construction having both qualities
Echelman uses a special program that makes a 3D model of the sculpture.
- Discusses 3D modeling technology for design
- Doesn't address the appearance vs. durability contrast at all
- Focuses on design process, not material properties
The first part of planning a new sculpture is done using paper and pencil, and then a digital program is used to finalize the design.
- Describes the design workflow from paper to digital
- Again focuses on the creation process rather than the final product's characteristics
- Provides no evidence about delicate appearance or durable construction
The materials that Echelman uses to build her sculptures are both flexible and strong.
- States materials are "both flexible and strong"
- Directly supports the passage's contrast: flexible = delicate appearance, strong = durable reality
- Perfectly illustrates how sculptures can appear delicate while being durable
Each sculpture is designed to reflect local landmarks from the area in which it is eventually installed.
- Discusses design inspiration from local landmarks
- Doesn't address material properties or the appearance/durability relationship