While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:J.R.R. Tolkien's 1937 novel The Hobbit features two maps.The novel...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- J.R.R. Tolkien's 1937 novel The Hobbit features two maps.
- The novel opens with a reproduction of the map that the characters use on their quest.
- This map introduces readers to the fictional world they are about to enter.
- The novel closes with a map depicting every stop on the characters' journey.
- That map allows readers to reconstruct the story they have just read.
The student wants to contrast the purposes of the two maps in The Hobbit. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
The Hobbit's opening map introduces readers to the fictional world they are about to enter, while the closing map allows them to reconstruct the story they have just read.
The Hobbit, a novel published by J.R.R. Tolkien in 1937, features a reproduction of a map that the characters use on their quest, as well as a map that appears at the end of the novel.
The Hobbit's two maps, one opening and one closing the novel, each serve a purpose for readers.
In 1937, author J.R.R. Tolkien published The Hobbit, a novel featuring both an opening and a closing map.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "J.R.R. Tolkien's 1937 novel The Hobbit features two maps." |
|
| "The novel opens with a reproduction of the map that the characters use on their quest." |
|
| "This map introduces readers to the fictional world they are about to enter." |
|
| "The novel closes with a map depicting every stop on the characters' journey." |
|
| "That map allows readers to reconstruct the story they have just read." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The Hobbit contains two maps that serve different reader-focused purposes at different points in the novel.
Argument Flow: The notes establish that The Hobbit has two maps, then systematically describe each map's placement and content before explaining how each serves a distinct purpose for readers.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? We need to find the choice that most effectively contrasts the purposes of the two maps using information from the notes.
What type of answer do we need? A statement that clearly shows how the opening and closing maps serve different purposes for readers.
Any limiting keywords? "Contrast" is key - we need to show difference, not just describe both maps.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- From our analysis, we know the two maps have different purposes:
- Opening map: introduces readers to the fictional world they're about to enter
- Closing map: allows readers to reconstruct the story they just read
- The right answer should clearly state both purposes and show how they contrast with each other using specific language from the notes.
The Hobbit's opening map introduces readers to the fictional world they are about to enter, while the closing map allows them to reconstruct the story they have just read.
- Directly contrasts the two purposes using exact language from the notes
- Uses "while" to create clear contrast between introducing the fictional world and allowing story reconstruction
The Hobbit, a novel published by J.R.R. Tolkien in 1937, features a reproduction of a map that the characters use on their quest, as well as a map that appears at the end of the novel.
- Simply states that the novel has two maps without contrasting their purposes
- Provides factual information but doesn't show contrast
The Hobbit's two maps, one opening and one closing the novel, each serve a purpose for readers.
- Says each map serves "a purpose" but doesn't specify what those purposes are
- Fails to use the relevant information from the notes
In 1937, author J.R.R. Tolkien published The Hobbit, a novel featuring both an opening and a closing map.
- Only mentions publication date and map locations
- Completely ignores the purpose information that would create the contrast