While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:The first commercial smartphone was released in 1994.Early smartphones had...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- The first commercial smartphone was released in 1994.
- Early smartphones had limited functionality compared to modern devices.
- By 2007, smartphones began incorporating touchscreen interfaces and internet connectivity.
- Modern smartphones now include features like GPS, high-resolution cameras, and app ecosystems.
- Tech analyst Maria Rodriguez studied smartphone evolution from 1994 to 2024.
- Rodriguez's research showed that smartphone capabilities expanded progressively as component technologies matured and manufacturing costs decreased.
The student wants to present Rodriguez's research findings about smartphone development. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
The first commercial smartphone was released in 1994 with limited functionality compared to modern devices.
Rodriguez's research showed that smartphone capabilities expanded progressively as component technologies matured and manufacturing costs decreased.
Modern smartphones include GPS, cameras, and app ecosystems that were not available in early devices.
Maria Rodriguez studied how smartphones evolved from 1994 to 2024.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The first commercial smartphone was released in 1994." |
|
| "Early smartphones had limited functionality compared to modern devices." |
|
| "By 2007, smartphones began incorporating touchscreen interfaces and internet connectivity." |
|
| "Modern smartphones now include features like GPS, high-resolution cameras, and app ecosystems." |
|
| "Tech analyst Maria Rodriguez studied smartphone evolution from 1994 to 2024." |
|
| "Rodriguez's research showed that smartphone capabilities expanded progressively as component technologies matured and manufacturing costs decreased." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map:
[HISTORICAL TIMELINE] 1994: First smartphone (limited) → 2007: Major upgrades (touchscreen, internet) → Present: Advanced features (GPS, cameras, apps) → [RESEARCH FRAMEWORK] Rodriguez's Study (1994-2024) → [KEY FINDING] Progressive expansion due to tech maturity + lower costs
Main Point: Tech analyst Rodriguez's research revealed that smartphone capabilities expanded progressively over 30 years as underlying technologies matured and manufacturing costs decreased.
Argument Flow: The notes establish a chronological progression of smartphone development from basic 1994 devices through major 2007 improvements to today's advanced features. This historical context sets up Rodriguez's research study spanning the same period, culminating in her key finding that explains the driving forces behind this technological evolution.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- To present Rodriguez's research findings effectively, the answer must directly state what her research discovered or concluded
- Looking at our notes, Rodriguez's actual finding was that smartphone capabilities expanded progressively as component technologies matured and manufacturing costs decreased
- The right answer should focus specifically on Rodriguez and her research conclusions, not just general information about smartphone history or features
- It needs to present her findings as findings - what she discovered through her study
- So the right answer should directly present Rodriguez's research conclusion about the progressive expansion of smartphone capabilities tied to technological maturity and cost reduction
The first commercial smartphone was released in 1994 with limited functionality compared to modern devices.
- Incorrect - States basic historical facts about 1994 smartphones
- Makes no mention of Rodriguez or her research findings
- Provides general timeline information rather than research conclusions
Rodriguez's research showed that smartphone capabilities expanded progressively as component technologies matured and manufacturing costs decreased.
- Directly presents Rodriguez's specific research finding
- Shows what her study discovered about progressive capability expansion
- Links capability growth to two key factors: tech maturity and cost reduction
- Perfectly matches the goal of presenting her research findings
Modern smartphones include GPS, cameras, and app ecosystems that were not available in early devices.
- Lists current smartphone features without mentioning Rodriguez
- Provides factual information but not research findings
- What trap this represents: Students might think listing modern capabilities shows development, but the question specifically asks for Rodriguez's findings, not general feature comparisons
Maria Rodriguez studied how smartphones evolved from 1994 to 2024.
- Mentions Rodriguez but only describes what she studied, not what she found
- Provides research scope rather than research conclusions
- What trap this represents: Students might confuse stating the research topic with presenting the research findings - knowing what someone studied isn't the same as knowing what they discovered