Modeled after the classical symphony orchestrations of the 18th century, contemporary composer Maria Rodriguez's Symphony No. 3 maintains traditional ...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Modeled after the classical symphony orchestrations of the 18th century, contemporary composer Maria Rodriguez's Symphony No. 3 maintains traditional instrumentation. Like its historical predecessors, the full orchestra _____ multiple instrumental sections, including strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion working together to create complex harmonies.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
comprises
motivates
surrounds
challenges
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Modeled after the classical symphony orchestrations of the 18th century, contemporary composer Maria Rodriguez's Symphony No. 3 maintains traditional instrumentation.' |
|
| [MISSING WORD] |
|
| 'multiple instrumental sections, including strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion working together to create complex harmonies.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Rodriguez's Symphony No. 3 follows traditional orchestral structure with multiple instrumental sections working together.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes that Rodriguez's symphony follows historical models, then describes how a full orchestra relates to its various instrumental sections, which collaborate to create complex musical harmonies.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The word must describe the relationship between 'the full orchestra' and 'multiple instrumental sections'
- We know from context that these sections are the parts that make up the orchestra
- The relationship is compositional - the orchestra is made up of or consists of these sections
- We need a word that means 'consists of' or 'includes as parts'
comprises
- Means 'consists of' or 'is made up of'
- This perfectly describes how an orchestra is composed of different instrumental sections
motivates
- Means 'gives someone a reason for doing something'
- An orchestra doesn't motivate its sections - it's made up of them
surrounds
- Means 'extends all around' or 'encircles'
- An orchestra doesn't surround its sections spatially - it consists of them
challenges
- Means 'disputes' or 'tests'
- An orchestra doesn't challenge its sections - they work collaboratively