While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Muckrakers were journalists who sought to expose corruption in US...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Muckrakers were journalists who sought to expose corruption in US institutions during the Progressive Era (1897–1920).
- Ida Tarbell was a muckraker who investigated the Standard Oil Company.
- She interviewed Standard Oil Company executives, oil industry workers, and public officials.
- She examined thousands of pages of the company's internal communications, including letters and financial records.
- Her book The History of the Standard Oil Company (1904) exposed the company's unfair business practices.
The student wants to emphasize the thoroughness of Ida Tarbell's investigation of the Standard Oil Company. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Ida Tarbell not only interviewed Standard Oil executives, oil industry workers, and public officials but also examined thousands of pages of the company's internal communications.
Ida Tarbell, who investigated the Standard Oil Company, was a muckraker (a journalist who sought to expose corruption in US institutions during the Progressive Era, 1897–1920).
As part of her investigation of the Standard Oil Company, muckraker Ida Tarbell conducted interviews.
Published in 1904, muckraker Ida Tarbell's book The History of the Standard Oil Company exposed the company's unfair business practices.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Muckrakers were journalists who sought to expose corruption in US institutions during the Progressive Era (1897–1920). |
|
| Ida Tarbell was a muckraker who investigated the Standard Oil Company. |
|
| She interviewed Standard Oil Company executives, oil industry workers, and public officials. |
|
| She examined thousands of pages of the company's internal communications, including letters and financial records. |
|
| Her book The History of the Standard Oil Company (1904) exposed the company's unfair business practices. |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Ida Tarbell conducted a thorough investigation of Standard Oil using multiple research methods, ultimately exposing the company's unfair practices in her 1904 book.
Argument Flow: The notes begin by defining muckrakers and their historical context, then introduce Tarbell as a specific example who investigated Standard Oil. They detail her comprehensive research methods—both interviews and document examination—before concluding with the successful outcome of her investigation.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which choice most effectively emphasizes thoroughness
What type of answer do we need? A sentence that highlights the comprehensive nature of Tarbell's investigation
Any limiting keywords? "thoroughness" is the key concept—we need to show the investigation was comprehensive/complete
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- To emphasize thoroughness, the answer should show that Tarbell's investigation was comprehensive and detailed
- From our notes, thoroughness is demonstrated by:
- The variety of people she interviewed (executives, workers, officials)
- The extensive document review (thousands of pages of internal communications)
- The depth of materials examined (letters and financial records)
- The most thorough investigation would combine multiple research methods and show both breadth and depth
- The right answer should highlight that Tarbell didn't just do one type of research—she did multiple types extensively
Ida Tarbell not only interviewed Standard Oil executives, oil industry workers, and public officials but also examined thousands of pages of the company's internal communications.
- Combines both major research methods from the notes
- "not only...but also" structure emphasizes she did multiple things
- Shows breadth (variety of interview subjects) and depth (thousands of pages)
- Directly demonstrates thoroughness through comprehensive approach
Ida Tarbell, who investigated the Standard Oil Company, was a muckraker (a journalist who sought to expose corruption in US institutions during the Progressive Era, 1897–1920).
- Focuses on background information about muckrakers and time period
- Mentions she investigated Standard Oil but gives no details about methods
- Doesn't show what made her investigation thorough
As part of her investigation of the Standard Oil Company, muckraker Ida Tarbell conducted interviews.
- Only mentions one research method (interviews)
- Doesn't specify the variety of people interviewed
- Ignores the document examination entirely
- Shows incomplete picture of her investigative approach
Published in 1904, muckraker Ida Tarbell's book The History of the Standard Oil Company exposed the company's unfair business practices.
- Focuses on the outcome (book publication and results)
- Doesn't describe the investigative methods that made it thorough
- Publication year and results don't demonstrate thoroughness of research process