While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Lincoln Elementary School serves students in grades K-5 in the...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
Lincoln Elementary School serves students in grades K-5 in the downtown district. Roosevelt Middle School serves students in grades 6-8 in the suburban district. State education officials regularly assess schools' academic performance to identify institutions needing additional support. Lincoln Elementary has received a 'needs improvement' designation for the past three years. Roosevelt Middle School consistently earns 'high performing' ratings from state evaluators.
The student wants to compare the academic performance ratings of Lincoln Elementary with those of Roosevelt Middle School. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Lincoln Elementary serves grades K-5 and has received a 'needs improvement' designation for three years.
According to state education officials, Lincoln Elementary has lower performance ratings than Roosevelt Middle School.
Both Lincoln Elementary and Roosevelt Middle School have been evaluated by state education officials for academic performance.
Roosevelt Middle School consistently earns 'high performing' ratings, while Lincoln Elementary serves downtown district students.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Lincoln Elementary School serves students in grades K-5 in the downtown district.' |
|
| 'Roosevelt Middle School serves students in grades 6-8 in the suburban district.' |
|
| 'State education officials regularly assess schools' academic performance to identify institutions needing additional support.' |
|
| 'Lincoln Elementary has received a 'needs improvement' designation for the past three years.' |
|
| 'Roosevelt Middle School consistently earns 'high performing' ratings from state evaluators.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The notes present contrasting academic performance data for two schools—Lincoln Elementary struggling with needs improvement ratings versus Roosevelt Middle School's consistent high performing status.
Argument Flow: The notes first establish basic information about both schools, then explain the state evaluation system context, and finally present the contrasting performance ratings.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The student wants to compare the academic performance ratings between Lincoln Elementary and Roosevelt Middle School.
What type of answer do we need? A statement that effectively contrasts or directly compares the performance ratings of both schools.
Any limiting keywords? Most effectively means we need the choice that best accomplishes the comparison goal using relevant information from the notes.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The right answer should mention both schools' performance ratings
- Create a clear comparison between their academic standings
- Be based on the specific rating information from the notes
- Make the comparison direct and clear
Lincoln Elementary serves grades K-5 and has received a 'needs improvement' designation for three years.
✗ Incorrect
- Only discusses Lincoln Elementary's situation
- Completely omits Roosevelt Middle School
- Cannot accomplish a comparison when only one school is mentioned
According to state education officials, Lincoln Elementary has lower performance ratings than Roosevelt Middle School.
✓ Correct
- Creates a direct performance comparison between both schools
- Uses the relevant rating information from the notes
- Makes the comparison explicit by stating Lincoln has lower performance ratings than Roosevelt
Both Lincoln Elementary and Roosevelt Middle School have been evaluated by state education officials for academic performance.
✗ Incorrect
- Simply states both schools have been evaluated
- Provides no comparison of their actual performance ratings
- Misses the goal entirely
Roosevelt Middle School consistently earns 'high performing' ratings, while Lincoln Elementary serves downtown district students.
✗ Incorrect
- Mentions Roosevelt's strong ratings but pairs this with Lincoln's district location rather than its performance
- Fails to create a performance comparison