While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Mary Shelley published Frankenstein in 1818, establishing key themes of...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Mary Shelley published Frankenstein in 1818, establishing key themes of scientific responsibility.
- H.G. Wells published The Time Machine in 1895, exploring technological consequences.
- Wells acknowledged that Shelley's work influenced his approach to science fiction.
- Both authors examined the potential dangers of unchecked scientific progress.
- Shelley's novel is considered foundational to the science fiction genre.
- Wells's work built upon Shelley's themes while introducing time travel concepts.
The student wants to demonstrate how Shelley's work influenced later science fiction. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Mary Shelley published Frankenstein in 1818, and H.G. Wells published The Time Machine in 1895.
Both Mary Shelley and H.G. Wells examined the potential dangers of unchecked scientific progress in their novels.
Building upon Shelley's foundational themes of scientific responsibility, Wells developed these ideas further in The Time Machine, explicitly acknowledging her influence on his science fiction approach.
Frankenstein is considered foundational to the science fiction genre, while The Time Machine introduced time travel concepts.
Looking at this rhetorical synthesis question, I need to help the student understand how to identify the choice that best demonstrates influence using the research notes provided.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Mary Shelley published Frankenstein in 1818, establishing key themes of scientific responsibility." |
|
| "H.G. Wells published The Time Machine in 1895, exploring technological consequences." |
|
| "Wells acknowledged that Shelley's work influenced his approach to science fiction." |
|
| "Both authors examined the potential dangers of unchecked scientific progress." |
|
| "Shelley's novel is considered foundational to the science fiction genre." |
|
| "Wells's work built upon Shelley's themes while introducing time travel concepts." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The research notes document how Mary Shelley's pioneering science fiction work directly influenced H.G. Wells's later contributions to the genre.
Argument Flow: The notes establish Shelley as an early pioneer who created foundational themes around scientific responsibility. Wells came later and not only explored similar technological concerns but explicitly acknowledged Shelley's influence and built upon her established themes while adding his own innovations like time travel.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which choice most effectively demonstrates how Shelley's work influenced later science fiction
What type of answer do we need? A synthesis that uses the research notes to show influence, not just similarity
Any limiting keywords? "Most effectively" means we need the strongest demonstration of influence, and "uses relevant information from the notes" means we must draw from the provided evidence
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- To effectively demonstrate influence, we need more than just showing both authors wrote about similar topics - we need evidence of actual influence
- From our notes, the strongest evidence includes Wells's direct acknowledgment of Shelley's influence and how he built upon her themes
- The right answer should combine these elements: Wells's explicit acknowledgment + evidence of how he developed her ideas further
Mary Shelley published Frankenstein in 1818, and H.G. Wells published The Time Machine in 1895.
- Simply states publication dates for both works
- Provides no evidence of influence - just chronology
- Misses the key evidence about Wells acknowledging Shelley's influence
Both Mary Shelley and H.G. Wells examined the potential dangers of unchecked scientific progress in their novels.
- Shows both authors examined similar themes (dangers of scientific progress)
- Demonstrates similarity, not influence - two people can explore similar topics independently
Building upon Shelley's foundational themes of scientific responsibility, Wells developed these ideas further in The Time Machine, explicitly acknowledging her influence on his science fiction approach.
- Explicitly states Wells "built upon Shelley's foundational themes" - shows development of her ideas
- Includes Wells's direct "acknowledgment" of Shelley's influence - strongest evidence from notes
- Demonstrates both the foundation (Shelley's themes) and the development (Wells's expansion)
- Uses multiple pieces of evidence to show clear influence relationship
Frankenstein is considered foundational to the science fiction genre, while The Time Machine introduced time travel concepts.
- Mentions Shelley's foundational status and Wells's innovation separately
- Presents them as parallel contributions rather than showing influence
- Fails to connect how Wells's work relates to or builds from Shelley's