The following text is from Sarah Orne Jewett's 1899 short story Martha's Lady. Martha is employed by Miss Pyne as...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The following text is from Sarah Orne Jewett's 1899 short story Martha's Lady. Martha is employed by Miss Pyne as a maid.
Miss Pyne sat by the window watching, in her best dress, looking stately and calm; she seldom went out now, and it was almost time for the carriage. Martha was just coming in from the garden with the strawberries, and with more flowers in her apron. It was a bright cool evening in June, the golden robins sang in the elms, and the sun was going down behind the apple-trees at the foot of the garden. The beautiful old house stood wide open to the long-expected guest.
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
To convey the worries brought about by a new guest
To describe how the characters have changed over time
To contrast the activity indoors with the stillness outside
To depict the setting as the characters await a visitor's arrival
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Miss Pyne sat by the window watching, in her best dress, looking stately and calm;" |
|
| "she seldom went out now, and it was almost time for the carriage." |
|
| "Martha was just coming in from the garden with the strawberries, and with more flowers in her apron." |
|
| "It was a bright cool evening in June, the golden robins sang in the elms, and the sun was going down behind the apple-trees at the foot of the garden." |
|
| "The beautiful old house stood wide open to the long-expected guest." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The passage describes the careful preparations and anticipatory atmosphere as characters await the arrival of an important, long-expected visitor.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The main purpose of the entire text passage
What type of answer do we need? Main Point or Purpose (entire)
Any limiting keywords? None specified
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The right answer should capture that the passage's main job is to set up the scene and atmosphere as characters prepare for and await a visitor's arrival
To convey the worries brought about by a new guest
✗ Incorrect
- This focuses on worries but the passage shows calm, pleasant preparation
To describe how the characters have changed over time
✗ Incorrect
- The passage gives us a snapshot of the present moment, not a comparison over time
To contrast the activity indoors with the stillness outside
✗ Incorrect
- The passage doesn't contrast indoor vs. outdoor activity - both spaces show preparation
To depict the setting as the characters await a visitor's arrival
✓ Correct
- Captures the main function: depicting the scene as they await arrival