The following text is adapted from a profile of contemporary artisans. Marcus, a woodworker, recently opened his own furniture studio...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
The following text is adapted from a profile of contemporary artisans. Marcus, a woodworker, recently opened his own furniture studio after years as an apprentice.
Marcus approaches each piece of furniture with the same careful attention to detail that his mentor taught him years ago. Since establishing his independent workshop, he has spent countless hours perfecting his techniques with hand tools, discovering that his passion for the craft intensifies with each completed project. What once felt like demanding technical exercises now strikes him as deeply rewarding creative expression.
Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
Marcus has successfully transitioned from apprentice to independent craftsman.
Marcus experiences profound satisfaction through his woodworking practice.
Marcus applies traditional techniques to create contemporary furniture designs.
Marcus dedicates extensive time to developing his woodworking skills.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Marcus, a woodworker, recently opened his own furniture studio after years as an apprentice." |
|
| "Marcus approaches each piece of furniture with the same careful attention to detail that his mentor taught him years ago." |
|
| "Since establishing his independent workshop, he has spent countless hours perfecting his techniques with hand tools, discovering that his passion for the craft intensifies with each completed project." |
|
| "What once felt like demanding technical exercises now strikes him as deeply rewarding creative expression." |
|
Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Marcus has discovered that his woodworking practice has transformed from demanding technical work into deeply satisfying creative expression.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes Marcus's background as someone who recently became independent, shows he maintains his mentor's careful approach, then reveals the key development—that through dedicated practice, his relationship with the craft has fundamentally changed from feeling like difficult exercises to becoming profoundly rewarding creative work.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
- What's being asked? The main idea of the entire text
- What type of answer do we need? The central message that captures what the passage is fundamentally about
- Any limiting keywords? "Main idea" means we need the overarching point, not just a supporting detail
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The passage isn't mainly about Marcus becoming independent (that's just context) or about his techniques (that's background)
- The heart of the passage is about his changing relationship with his craft
- We see a clear transformation: what used to feel like "demanding technical exercises" now feels like "deeply rewarding creative expression," and his passion keeps growing with each project
- The passage emphasizes the emotional and creative satisfaction he derives from his work
Marcus has successfully transitioned from apprentice to independent craftsman.
✗ Incorrect
- This focuses on the career transition from apprentice to independent craftsman
- While factually true, it misses the passage's main focus on Marcus's evolving relationship with his craft
Marcus experiences profound satisfaction through his woodworking practice.
✓ Correct
- This captures the central theme of the passage—Marcus's deep satisfaction with his woodworking
- Matches our prethinking about his transformation from viewing work as "demanding exercises" to "deeply rewarding creative expression"
Marcus applies traditional techniques to create contemporary furniture designs.
✗ Incorrect
- The passage doesn't discuss contemporary furniture designs or contrast traditional vs. modern approaches
- This choice introduces concepts not present in the text
Marcus dedicates extensive time to developing his woodworking skills.
✗ Incorrect
- While true that Marcus spends extensive time on his skills, this focuses on the time investment rather than the main point
- Misses the emotional transformation that's central to the passage