Mathematician Claude Shannon is widely regarded as a foundational figure in information theory. His most important paper, 'A Mathematical Theory...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Mathematician Claude Shannon is widely regarded as a foundational figure in information theory. His most important paper, 'A Mathematical Theory of Communication,' published in 1948 when he was employed at Bell Labs, utilized a concept called a 'binary digit' (shortened to 'bit') to measure the amount of information in any signal and determine the fastest rate at which information could be transmitted while still being reliably decipherable. Robert Gallagher, one of Shannon's colleagues, said that the bit was '[Shannon's] discovery, and from it the whole communications revolution has sprung.'
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Mathematician Claude Shannon is widely regarded as a foundational figure in information theory." |
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| "His most important paper, 'A Mathematical Theory of Communication,' published in 1948 when he was employed at Bell Labs, utilized a concept called a 'binary digit' (shortened to 'bit') to measure the amount of information in any signal and determine the fastest rate at which information could be transmitted while still being reliably decipherable." |
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| "Robert Gallagher, one of Shannon's colleagues, said that the bit was Shannon's discovery, and from it the whole communications revolution has sprung." |
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Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map:
[INTRODUCTION] Shannon = foundational figure in info theory → [MAIN WORK DESCRIPTION] 1948 paper introduced bit concept → [SIGNIFICANCE/IMPACT] Colleague's quote: whole communications revolution
Main Point: Claude Shannon's invention of the bit concept in his 1948 paper was foundational to information theory and sparked the entire communications revolution.
Argument Flow: The passage first establishes Shannon as an important figure, then explains his key contribution (the bit concept from his 1948 paper), and concludes by having a colleague emphasize the revolutionary impact of this work on modern communications.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The overall structure of the text - how the passage is organized and what each part does
What type of answer do we need? A description of the passage's organizational pattern and flow
Any limiting keywords? Overall structure means we need to capture the big-picture organization, not focus on specific details
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Looking at our structure map, the passage follows a clear pattern: it introduces an important person (Shannon), describes his key work (the bit concept), and then shows why that work matters historically (colleague's quote about the communications revolution)
- The right answer should capture this three-part movement from introduction to description to significance
- Focuses on how the name binary digit changed to bit, but that's just a brief parenthetical detail
- Misses the main focus on Shannon as a person and the broader significance of his work
- Perfectly captures the three-part structure: introduces Shannon as a respected researcher, describes his bit concept work, and shows its historical significance through Gallagher's quote
- Matches our prethinking exactly
- Makes Bell Labs the focus when it's just mentioned as where Shannon worked
- Talks about career at the company but the passage doesn't detail his career or company recognition
- Too narrow, focuses only on the paper rather than Shannon as a person
- Misses the opening introduction of Shannon as a foundational figure