Laser cleaning represents a precise method for removing accumulated grime and pollutants from artwork surfaces, using focused light pulses to...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Laser cleaning represents a precise method for removing accumulated grime and pollutants from artwork surfaces, using focused light pulses to vaporize contaminants without damaging underlying materials. Museums worldwide have adopted this technology for restoring Renaissance paintings, ancient sculptures, and architectural details, allowing conservators to reveal original colors and textures previously obscured by centuries of environmental buildup. However, laser cleaning requires extensive operator training and expensive equipment maintenance, while certain pigments and binding agents can be unexpectedly sensitive to specific laser wavelengths, necessitating comprehensive material analysis before treatment.
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
It examines the historical development of art restoration techniques, traces the evolution of laser technology in conservation, and then proposes improvements to current laser cleaning protocols based on recent discoveries.
It discusses the financial barriers to implementing advanced conservation technologies, compares laser cleaning with traditional restoration methods, and then advocates for increased institutional funding to support equipment acquisition.
It describes a conservation technique, details its widespread implementation and benefits, and then identifies ongoing challenges and limitations associated with its use.
It analyzes the scientific principles underlying laser technology, explains the chemical processes involved in contaminant removal, and then outlines safety protocols that conservators must follow during treatments.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Laser cleaning represents a precise method for removing accumulated grime and pollutants from artwork surfaces, using focused light pulses to vaporize contaminants without damaging underlying materials.' |
|
| 'Museums worldwide have adopted this technology for restoring Renaissance paintings, ancient sculptures, and architectural details, allowing conservators to reveal original colors and textures previously obscured by centuries of environmental buildup.' |
|
| 'However, laser cleaning requires extensive operator training and expensive equipment maintenance, while certain pigments and binding agents can be unexpectedly sensitive to specific laser wavelengths, necessitating comprehensive material analysis before treatment.' |
|
Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Laser cleaning is an effective art conservation technique that's widely adopted by museums but faces significant practical challenges.
Argument Flow: The passage introduces laser cleaning as a precise conservation method, explains its successful implementation and benefits in museums worldwide, then acknowledges the ongoing challenges and limitations that constrain its use.
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 correct answer should capture the three-part structure we identified: first introducing the technique, then explaining its widespread use and benefits, and finally acknowledging the challenges
- It should describe this as a straightforward informational progression—explain what something is, show how it's used successfully, then note the problems
It examines the historical development of art restoration techniques, traces the evolution of laser technology in conservation, and then proposes improvements to current laser cleaning protocols based on recent discoveries.
- Claims the passage examines 'historical development' and 'evolution' of techniques
- The passage doesn't trace any historical progression—it just explains what laser cleaning is and how it's currently used
- Also mentions 'proposes improvements' which the passage never does
It discusses the financial barriers to implementing advanced conservation technologies, compares laser cleaning with traditional restoration methods, and then advocates for increased institutional funding to support equipment acquisition.
- Claims the passage 'discusses financial barriers' and 'compares laser cleaning with traditional restoration methods'
- The passage mentions costs as one challenge but doesn't focus on financial barriers as the main topic
- No comparison with traditional methods appears anywhere in the passage
It describes a conservation technique, details its widespread implementation and benefits, and then identifies ongoing challenges and limitations associated with its use.
- Perfectly captures the three-part structure: describes technique → details implementation and benefits → identifies challenges
- 'Describes a conservation technique' matches our first sentence analysis
- 'Details its widespread implementation and benefits' matches our second sentence about museum adoption and results
- 'Identifies ongoing challenges and limitations' matches our third sentence about training, costs, and sensitivity issues
It analyzes the scientific principles underlying laser technology, explains the chemical processes involved in contaminant removal, and then outlines safety protocols that conservators must follow during treatments.
- Claims the passage 'analyzes scientific principles' and 'explains chemical processes'
- The passage mentions laser technology works but doesn't analyze the underlying science
- 'Outlines safety protocols' is nowhere in the passage