The following text is adapted from Louise Erdrich's 2020 novel The Night Watchman. Louis Pipestone is collecting signatures for a...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The following text is adapted from Louise Erdrich's 2020 novel The Night Watchman. Louis Pipestone is collecting signatures for a petition from fellow members of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa on the tribe's reservation in North Dakota.
Louis Pipestone tended the petition like a garden. He kept it with him at all times. In town, his eyes sharpened when he noticed a tribal member who hadn't yet signed. Wherever they were—at the gas pump, mercantile [general store], at Henry's [Café], on the road, or outside the clinic and hospital—Louis cornered them. If they were waiting for a baby to be born, he'd have them sign. If they were laughing, if they were arguing. If they were taking a child home from school, they signed.
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
To suggest that some tribal members refuse to sign the petition because they dislike Louis Pipestone
To show that attitudes toward the petition within the tribal community change over time
To demonstrate that most tribal members are enthusiastic about signing the petition
To portray Louis Pipestone's strong commitment to collecting signatures for the petition
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Louis Pipestone tended the petition like a garden." |
|
| "He kept it with him at all times." |
|
| "In town, his eyes sharpened when he noticed a tribal member who hadn't yet signed." |
|
| "Wherever they were—at the gas pump, mercantile, at Henry's, on the road, or outside the clinic and hospital—Louis cornered them." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The text demonstrates Louis Pipestone's dedicated and persistent commitment to collecting signatures for his petition.
Argument Flow: The passage opens with a garden metaphor that establishes Louis's careful devotion to the petition. It then provides concrete evidence of this devotion through his constant possession of the petition and his alert attention to potential signers. Finally, it illustrates his persistence through multiple examples of locations and situations where he approaches tribal members.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The main purpose of the entire text
What type of answer do we need? The central goal or function the passage serves
Any limiting keywords? "Main purpose" means we need the overarching intent, not a minor detail
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The right answer should capture how the passage focuses on Louis's dedication to collecting signatures
- We see this through the garden metaphor that opens the text, his constant possession of the petition, and the extensive examples of his persistent pursuit of signers in various locations and circumstances
To suggest that some tribal members refuse to sign the petition because they dislike Louis Pipestone
- Suggests some tribal members refuse to sign because they dislike Louis
- The passage never mentions anyone refusing or disliking Louis
To show that attitudes toward the petition within the tribal community change over time
- Claims attitudes toward the petition change over time
- The passage shows no time progression or attitude changes
To demonstrate that most tribal members are enthusiastic about signing the petition
- States most tribal members are enthusiastic about signing
- The passage doesn't describe enthusiasm from tribal members
To portray Louis Pipestone's strong commitment to collecting signatures for the petition
- Perfectly captures the passage's central focus on Louis's commitment
- Matches the garden metaphor and aligns with all examples of his persistent pursuit