Text 1Literary scholars have struggled with the vastness of Nigerian writer Wole Soyinka's collective works of drama (spanning over 20...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Text 1
Literary scholars have struggled with the vastness of Nigerian writer Wole Soyinka's collective works of drama (spanning over 20 plays in total). It is best, however, to understand Soyinka's body of work as a dramatist chronologically. Soyinka's progression as a playwright can be considered to fall into three periods, with each one representing a particular thematic and stylistic cohesion: the 1960s, the two decades between 1970 and 1990, and lastly, from roughly 1990 onwards.
Text 2
It is tempting to impose a linear sense of order on the expanse of Wole Soyinka's body of work as a dramatist. However, critics who have considered Soyinka's plays to fit neatly into three phases overlook potential commonalities in Soyinka's work that span across these phases. Additionally, this view may discount significant differences in the styles and content of plays written around the same time.
Which choice best describes a difference in how the author of Text 1 and the author of Text 2 view the study of Soyinka's works of drama?
While the author of Text 1 believes that thinking about Soyinka's works of theater in phases is useful, the author of Text 2 views such an approach as limiting.
Although the author of Text 1 claims that Soyinka's style as a dramatist has evolved over time, the author of Text 2 argues that Soyinka's style has remained consistent throughout his career.
The author of Text 1 considers Soyinka's plays to showcase his strongest writing, whereas the author of Text 2 believes that Soyinka's poetry is where he is most skilled.
The author of Text 1 argues that Soyinka's early plays were his most politically charged, whereas the author of Text 2 claims that Soyinka's most recent plays are the most politicized.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
Text 1:
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Literary scholars have struggled with the vastness of Nigerian writer Wole Soyinka's collective works of drama (spanning over 20 plays in total)." |
|
| "It is best, however, to understand Soyinka's body of work as a dramatist chronologically." |
|
| "Soyinka's progression as a playwright can be considered to fall into three periods, with each one representing a particular thematic and stylistic cohesion: the 1960s, the two decades between 1970 and 1990, and lastly, from roughly 1990 onwards." |
|
Text 2:
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "It is tempting to impose a linear sense of order on the expanse of Wole Soyinka's body of work as a dramatist." |
|
| "However, critics who have considered Soyinka's plays to fit neatly into three phases overlook potential commonalities in Soyinka's work that span across these phases." |
|
| "Additionally, this view may discount significant differences in the styles and content of plays written around the same time." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Text 1 advocates for a chronological three-phase approach to studying Soyinka's works, while Text 2 critiques this approach as potentially limiting.
Argument Flow: Text 1 acknowledges the challenge of Soyinka's vast body of work and proposes chronological organization into three distinct periods. Text 2 counters by suggesting that while chronological approaches seem appealing, they may oversimplify by missing cross-phase connections and within-phase variations.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? How the two authors differ in their views on studying Soyinka's dramatic works
What type of answer do we need? A comparison that shows contrasting perspectives between the two texts
Any limiting keywords? "difference" - we need contrasting views, not similarities
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Text 1 should be characterized as supporting or advocating for the chronological/phase approach
- Text 2 should be characterized as criticizing or finding problems with this same approach
- The difference should focus on their attitudes toward organizing Soyinka's works into phases
- So the right answer should show Text 1 as positive about the phase approach while Text 2 sees it as problematic or limiting
While the author of Text 1 believes that thinking about Soyinka's works of theater in phases is useful, the author of Text 2 views such an approach as limiting.
✓ Correct
- Text 1 explicitly states it's "best" to understand Soyinka's works chronologically in phases, showing the author views this as useful
- Text 2 argues that critics using three phases "overlook" commonalities and "discount" differences, clearly viewing this approach as limiting
Although the author of Text 1 claims that Soyinka's style as a dramatist has evolved over time, the author of Text 2 argues that Soyinka's style has remained consistent throughout his career.
✗ Incorrect
- Text 1 doesn't claim Soyinka's style evolved - it just says each period has "thematic and stylistic cohesion"
- Text 2 doesn't argue for consistent style throughout
The author of Text 1 considers Soyinka's plays to showcase his strongest writing, whereas the author of Text 2 believes that Soyinka's poetry is where he is most skilled.
✗ Incorrect
- Neither text mentions poetry at all
- Both texts focus exclusively on Soyinka's dramatic works
The author of Text 1 argues that Soyinka's early plays were his most politically charged, whereas the author of Text 2 claims that Soyinka's most recent plays are the most politicized.
✗ Incorrect
- Neither text discusses the political content of Soyinka's plays or which periods were more politicized