The following text is adapted from a biographical essay about scientist Marie Curie.Marie Curie began her scientific career as a...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The following text is adapted from a biographical essay about scientist Marie Curie.
Marie Curie began her scientific career as a young student in Paris, struggling with poverty while pursuing her passion for physics and mathematics. Her breakthrough came when she started investigating the mysterious rays emitted by uranium compounds, work that would consume the next several years of her life. As her research progressed, she discovered two previously unknown elements, polonium and radium, achievements that brought her international recognition. By the end of her career, she had become the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and remains the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific disciplines.
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
It explains the scientific principles behind Curie's most important discoveries.
It traces Curie's development from struggling student to internationally acclaimed scientist.
It compares Curie's achievements with those of other scientists of her era.
It analyzes the impact of Curie's work on modern scientific understanding.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Marie Curie began her scientific career as a young student in Paris, struggling with poverty while pursuing her passion for physics and mathematics." |
|
| "Her breakthrough came when she started investigating the mysterious rays emitted by uranium compounds, work that would consume the next several years of her life." |
|
| "As her research progressed, she discovered two previously unknown elements, polonium and radium, achievements that brought her international recognition." |
|
| "By the end of her career, she had become the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and remains the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific disciplines." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The passage traces Marie Curie's progression from a struggling student to one of history's most accomplished scientists.
Argument Flow: The text follows a chronological progression showing Curie's scientific development. It begins with her humble beginnings as an impoverished student, moves through her breakthrough research on uranium, highlights her groundbreaking element discoveries, and culminates with her unprecedented Nobel Prize achievements.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The overall structure of the text - how the passage is organized and arranged.
What type of answer do we need? A description of the passage's organizational pattern or framework.
Any limiting keywords? "Overall structure" tells us we're looking at the big picture arrangement, not specific details or content.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The right answer should describe this chronological development pattern that moves from her early struggles to her ultimate achievements.
It explains the scientific principles behind Curie's most important discoveries.
✗ Incorrect
- This choice focuses on explaining scientific principles.
- The passage doesn't actually explain how uranium rays work or the science behind her discoveries.
It traces Curie's development from struggling student to internationally acclaimed scientist.
✓ Correct
- This perfectly captures the chronological structure we identified.
- "Struggling student" matches the opening about poverty and studying.
- "Internationally acclaimed scientist" matches the Nobel Prize conclusion.
- Shows the developmental progression that organizes the entire passage.
It compares Curie's achievements with those of other scientists of her era.
✗ Incorrect
- The passage never mentions other scientists or makes any comparisons.
- It focuses solely on Curie's individual journey.
It analyzes the impact of Curie's work on modern scientific understanding.
✗ Incorrect
- The passage doesn't discuss how her work affects modern science.
- It ends with her career achievements, not their ongoing impact.