The following text is adapted from a 2023 study on urban planning. "Modern cities must accommodate rapid population growth while...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The following text is adapted from a 2023 study on urban planning. "Modern cities must accommodate rapid population growth while preserving livability. Planners have found that sustainable development can actually foster both economic growth and environmental protection, rather than requiring communities to sacrifice one for the other."
As used in the text, what does the word "foster" most nearly mean?
Promote
Adopt
Harbor
Parent
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Modern cities must accommodate rapid population growth while preserving livability." |
|
| "Planners have found that sustainable development can actually foster both economic growth and environmental protection, rather than requiring communities to sacrifice one for the other." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Sustainable development allows cities to achieve both economic growth and environmental protection simultaneously, eliminating the need to choose between them.
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 describes how sustainable development relates to both economic growth and environmental protection
- From context "can actually foster both," it suggests actively supporting or encouraging both areas
- The contrast with "requiring communities to sacrifice one for the other" shows this word means helping both thrive together, not choosing between them
Promote
- "Promote" means to support or encourage the development or progress of something
- Perfectly captures how sustainable development actively supports both economic growth and environmental protection
Adopt
- "Adopt" means to take on, choose, or accept something
- Doesn't make logical sense - sustainable development can't "take on" or "choose" economic growth and environmental protection
Harbor
- "Harbor" means to give shelter or refuge to something
- Suggests passive protection rather than active encouragement
Parent
- "Parent" as a verb means to care for and raise like a parent
- Too specific and doesn't fit the professional context of urban planning and development