While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and remains the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields.
- She was born in Warsaw, Poland, in 1867, but conducted most of her groundbreaking research in France.
- She is renowned for her pioneering research on radioactivity, a term she coined.
- Her discovery of the elements polonium and radium revolutionized the field of chemistry.
- In 1898, she and her husband Pierre successfully isolated radium from uranium ore.
- Her work laid the foundation for modern atomic physics and medical radiation treatments.
The student wants to introduce Curie to an audience unfamiliar with the scientist. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
A groundbreaking scientist who won Nobel Prizes in two different fields, Marie Curie is renowned for her pioneering research on radioactivity and her discovery of polonium and radium.
Marie Curie's discovery of polonium and radium in 1898 revolutionized the field of chemistry.
The first woman to win a Nobel Prize, Marie Curie coined the term "radioactivity" and conducted research in France.
Marie Curie and her husband Pierre successfully isolated radium from uranium ore through their collaborative research efforts.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and remains the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields." |
|
| "She was born in Warsaw, Poland, in 1867, but conducted most of her groundbreaking research in France." |
|
| "She is renowned for her pioneering research on radioactivity, a term she coined." |
|
| "Her discovery of the elements polonium and radium revolutionized the field of chemistry." |
|
| "In 1898, she and her husband Pierre successfully isolated radium from uranium ore." |
|
| "Her work laid the foundation for modern atomic physics and medical radiation treatments." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Marie Curie was a groundbreaking scientist who achieved historic firsts with Nobel Prizes and revolutionized chemistry through her discovery of radioactive elements.
Argument Flow: The notes establish Curie's historic significance through her Nobel achievements, then detail her scientific contributions in radioactivity research and element discovery, culminating with the lasting impact of her work on modern science and medicine.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which choice most effectively introduces Curie to an unfamiliar audience using the research notes.
What type of answer do we need? An introductory statement that would work best for people who don't know who Marie Curie is.
Any limiting keywords? "Most effectively" means we need the choice that does the best job as an introduction, and "unfamiliar with the scientist" tells us the audience has no prior knowledge.
The student wants to introduce Curie to people who don't know her, so we need information that establishes who she is and why she matters. An effective introduction should highlight her most significant achievements and give context for her importance.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- For an audience unfamiliar with Marie Curie, an effective introduction needs to establish her significance and key contributions
- The right answer should include her most impressive achievements - particularly the Nobel Prize accomplishment that sets her apart historically
- It should also mention what she's actually known for scientifically, which is her work with radioactivity and discovering new elements
- These elements together would give someone unfamiliar with her a clear sense of who she was and why she's important
A groundbreaking scientist who won Nobel Prizes in two different fields, Marie Curie is renowned for her pioneering research on radioactivity and her discovery of polonium and radium.
- Establishes her as groundbreaking and mentions the Nobel Prizes in two different fields
- Includes her fame for radioactivity research, and mentions her discovery of polonium and radium
- Combines all the most important elements for someone unfamiliar
Marie Curie's discovery of polonium and radium in 1898 revolutionized the field of chemistry.
- Focuses only on the 1898 discovery and chemistry impact
- Doesn't establish who she is or her broader significance
- Missing the Nobel Prize information
The first woman to win a Nobel Prize, Marie Curie coined the term "radioactivity" and conducted research in France.
- Mentions the historic Nobel Prize achievement but focuses on coining the term radioactivity and research location
- Missing her major discoveries
Marie Curie and her husband Pierre successfully isolated radium from uranium ore through their collaborative research efforts.
- Very specific detail about the collaboration and technical process
- Doesn't establish her broader significance or Nobel achievements