While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Linguist Dr. Maria Rodriguez conducted a 2021 study examining the...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Linguist Dr. Maria Rodriguez conducted a 2021 study examining the vitality status of indigenous languages in Central America.
- She documented all indigenous languages with communities within a \(500\)-mile region of Guatemala City.
- Many indigenous languages in the region are experiencing rapid speaker decline due to urbanization and educational policies.
- K'iche' Maya maintains approximately \(2.3\) million speakers and shows stable intergenerational transmission.
- \(31\) of the \(42\) documented languages show signs of endangerment with declining speaker populations.
- K'iche' Maya is among the few languages that have maintained their speaker base despite regional pressures.
The student wants to emphasize K'iche' Maya's linguistic resilience in the regional context. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Dr. Maria Rodriguez found that K'iche' Maya has approximately 2.3 million speakers and shows stable intergenerational transmission.
Many indigenous languages in Central America are experiencing rapid speaker decline, while several others maintain stable speaker populations.
Despite regional pressures that have endangered most indigenous languages in the area, K'iche' Maya stands out by maintaining its 2.3 million speakers and stable transmission patterns.
Among the 42 indigenous languages documented within 500 miles of Guatemala City, 31 show signs of endangerment with declining speaker populations.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Linguist Dr. Maria Rodriguez conducted a 2021 study examining the vitality status of indigenous languages in Central America." |
|
| "She documented all indigenous languages with communities within a 500-mile region of Guatemala City." |
|
| "Many indigenous languages in the region are experiencing rapid speaker decline due to urbanization and educational policies." |
|
| "K'iche' Maya maintains approximately 2.3 million speakers and shows stable intergenerational transmission." |
|
| "31 of the 42 documented languages show signs of endangerment with declining speaker populations." |
|
| "K'iche' Maya is among the few languages that have maintained their speaker base despite regional pressures." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: While most indigenous languages in Central America are rapidly declining, K'iche' Maya stands out as a remarkable exception with stable speaker populations and transmission.
Argument Flow: The notes establish a research context, then present the regional crisis of language decline with specific causes. K'iche' Maya is introduced as a positive contrast, with statistical evidence reinforcing both the widespread problem (31 of 42 languages) and K'iche' Maya's exceptional resilience in maintaining its speaker base.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The student wants to emphasize K'iche' Maya's linguistic resilience in the regional context.
What type of answer do we need? A statement that highlights how K'iche' Maya stands strong against the backdrop of regional language decline.
Any limiting keywords? "Emphasize" tells us we need to make K'iche' Maya's resilience stand out clearly, and "regional context" means we need to show how it compares to what's happening around it.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Show the contrast between K'iche' Maya and the regional trend of decline
- Include specific details about K'iche' Maya's strength (speaker numbers, stable transmission)
- Make clear that K'iche' Maya is exceptional compared to most other languages in the area
Dr. Maria Rodriguez found that K'iche' Maya has approximately 2.3 million speakers and shows stable intergenerational transmission.
✗ Incorrect
- Mentions K'iche' Maya's positive attributes (2.3 million speakers, stable transmission)
- Missing the regional context entirely - doesn't show how K'iche' Maya compares to other languages
- Fails to emphasize resilience because there's no contrast with struggling languages
Many indigenous languages in Central America are experiencing rapid speaker decline, while several others maintain stable speaker populations.
✗ Incorrect
- Mentions both decline and stability but stays completely general
- Doesn't specifically highlight K'iche' Maya at all
- Students might think this captures "regional context" because it mentions both trends, but it doesn't accomplish the goal of emphasizing K'iche' Maya specifically
Despite regional pressures that have endangered most indigenous languages in the area, K'iche' Maya stands out by maintaining its 2.3 million speakers and stable transmission patterns.
✓ Correct
- Creates perfect contrast: "Despite regional pressures that have endangered most indigenous languages"
- Specifically highlights K'iche' Maya: "stands out by maintaining its 2.3 million speakers"
- Uses "stands out" to emphasize resilience in regional context
- Includes concrete details (2.3 million speakers, stable transmission patterns)
Among the 42 indigenous languages documented within 500 miles of Guatemala City, 31 show signs of endangerment with declining speaker populations.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses entirely on the problem (31 of 42 languages endangered)
- Doesn't mention K'iche' Maya at all
- Students might think regional statistics provide context, but without highlighting K'iche' Maya's success, this doesn't accomplish the stated goal