While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Little is known about the life of Wong Fei-hung (1847–1925).He...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Little is known about the life of Wong Fei-hung (1847–1925).
- He was born near Foshan, China, and gained local recognition as a physician and Hung Ga (also known as Hung Gar) Kung Fu master.
- He achieved many incredible martial arts feats—some confirmed and some rumored.
- He has become an internationally known folk hero thanks to his depiction in over a hundred films, television shows, and other media.
- In the 1991 film Once Upon a Time in China, actor Jet Li portrays Wong Fei-hung using superhuman kung fu abilities to save his community.
The student wants to emphasize the effect media had on building Wong Fei-hung's legacy. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Thanks to his depiction in over a hundred pieces of media, Wong Fei-hung was locally known as a successful physician and Hung Ga Kung Fu master.
Though he was known locally during his lifetime, Wong Fei-hung's later depiction in television, film, and other media has turned him into an internationally known folk hero.
Various media have depicted Wong Fei-hung, the successful physician and kung fu master who became an internationally known folk hero.
Wong Fei-hung's abilities as a kung fu master are depicted in many media, including the 1991 film Once Upon a Time in China.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Little is known about the life of Wong Fei-hung (1847–1925)." |
|
| "He was born near Foshan, China, and gained local recognition as a physician and Hung Ga (also known as Hung Gar) Kung Fu master." |
|
| "He achieved many incredible martial arts feats—some confirmed and some rumored." |
|
| "He has become an internationally known folk hero thanks to his depiction in over a hundred films, television shows, and other media." |
|
| "In the 1991 film Once Upon a Time in China, actor Jet Li portrays Wong Fei-hung using superhuman kung fu abilities to save his community." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Wong Fei-hung transformed from a locally known physician and kung fu master into an internationally recognized folk hero through extensive media portrayals.
Argument Flow: The notes establish Wong Fei-hung's historical obscurity and local reputation during his lifetime. They then reveal how media representations in over a hundred productions elevated him to international folk hero status, providing a specific film example to illustrate this media portrayal.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? We need to choose the option that most effectively emphasizes how media built/shaped Wong Fei-hung's legacy.
What type of answer do we need? A synthesis that highlights the transformative role of media in creating his current reputation.
Any limiting keywords? "Most effectively" means we need the strongest emphasis on media's effect, and "building Wong Fei-hung's legacy" focuses specifically on how media constructed his current fame.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The right answer needs to show the cause-and-effect relationship between media and Wong Fei-hung's legacy
- It should demonstrate how media transformed or elevated his status
- Key elements should be:
- Recognition that he had some status during his lifetime (locally known)
- Clear connection showing media's role in expanding that recognition
- Evidence of the transformation (from local to international recognition)
- The notes show he was locally recognized during his lifetime but became internationally known through media depictions
- The right answer should emphasize this transformation - how media took someone who was locally known and turned him into an international folk hero
Thanks to his depiction in over a hundred pieces of media, Wong Fei-hung was locally known as a successful physician and Hung Ga Kung Fu master.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims media made him "locally known as a successful physician and Kung Fu master"
- This reverses the chronology - he was already locally known during his lifetime, before the media depictions
- Doesn't show media's transformative effect since it suggests media created his local reputation rather than his international fame
Though he was known locally during his lifetime, Wong Fei-hung's later depiction in television, film, and other media has turned him into an internationally known folk hero.
✓ Correct
- Shows clear progression: "known locally during his lifetime" → "later depiction in television, film, and other media" → "turned him into an internationally known folk hero"
- Emphasizes the transformation ("turned him into") that media accomplished
- Uses the contrast between "locally" and "internationally" to highlight media's expanding effect on his legacy
Various media have depicted Wong Fei-hung, the successful physician and kung fu master who became an internationally known folk hero.
✗ Incorrect
- Simply states facts without emphasizing the cause-and-effect relationship
- Uses passive voice ("have depicted") that doesn't stress media's active role in building his legacy
- Doesn't show transformation or change - just presents static information
Wong Fei-hung's abilities as a kung fu master are depicted in many media, including the 1991 film Once Upon a Time in China.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses narrowly on depicting his abilities rather than building his overall legacy
- Provides only one specific example instead of emphasizing the broader media effect
- Doesn't show the scope or transformative nature of media's impact on his reputation