Jazz tap is a dance form that was first developed in African American communities. Jazz tap was heavily influenced by...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Jazz tap is a dance form that was first developed in African American communities. Jazz tap was heavily influenced by jazz music, which became widely popular in the United States in the 1920s. Tap dancers were inspired by jazz music's quick rhythms and by the way jazz musicians would make up melodies as they played. As jazz music continued to develop in the 1930s and 1940s, jazz tap evolved with it. Because of jazz music's influence, jazz tap quickly developed into a dance form that was very different from earlier kinds of tap dance.
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
It explains why audiences prefer some kinds of music over others.
It discusses the development of a dance form.
It describes how to play a musical instrument.
It emphasizes the popularity of a famous dancer.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Jazz tap is a dance form that was first developed in African American communities." |
|
| "Jazz tap was heavily influenced by jazz music, which became widely popular in the United States in the 1920s." |
|
| "Tap dancers were inspired by jazz music's quick rhythms and by the way jazz musicians would make up melodies as they played." |
|
| "As jazz music continued to develop in the 1930s and 1940s, jazz tap evolved with it." |
|
| "Because of jazz music's influence, jazz tap quickly developed into a dance form that was very different from earlier kinds of tap dance." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The passage explains how jazz tap dance developed and evolved in African American communities under the influence of jazz music from the 1920s through the 1940s.
Argument Flow: The passage begins by establishing jazz tap's origins in African American communities, then explains how jazz music became the primary influence on this dance form. It details specific aspects of jazz music that inspired dancers and shows how the dance continued to evolve alongside the music through the 1930s and 1940s, ultimately creating something distinctly different from earlier tap dance styles.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The main purpose of the entire text - what the passage as a whole is trying to accomplish.
What type of answer do we need? A statement that captures the central goal or function of the passage.
Any limiting keywords? "Main purpose" tells us we need the primary, overarching function, not a minor detail.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The passage does three main things: it establishes what jazz tap is and where it came from, it explains how jazz music influenced this dance form, and it traces how both evolved together over time
- The passage is essentially telling the story of how a dance form developed and changed
- The right answer should capture that this is about the development or evolution of jazz tap dance
- It should recognize that we're learning about how this dance form came to be and how it changed over time
It explains why audiences prefer some kinds of music over others.
✗ Incorrect
- This choice focuses on audience preferences for different types of music
- The passage never discusses what audiences prefer - it focuses on how jazz music influenced jazz tap dance
It discusses the development of a dance form.
✓ Correct
- This choice accurately captures that the passage discusses how a dance form (jazz tap) developed
- It matches our analysis showing the passage traces jazz tap from its origins through its evolution
It describes how to play a musical instrument.
✗ Incorrect
- This choice is about playing a musical instrument
- The passage mentions jazz music but never explains how to play any instruments
It emphasizes the popularity of a famous dancer.
✗ Incorrect
- This choice focuses on emphasizing the popularity of a specific famous dancer
- The passage never mentions any individual dancers by name