Municipal governments increasingly emphasize data-driven approaches to city planning. Advanced analytics, demographic modeling, and economic forecasti...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Municipal governments increasingly emphasize data-driven approaches to city planning. Advanced analytics, demographic modeling, and economic forecasting now inform most major development decisions. These quantitative methods have transformed how planners allocate resources and design urban spaces. 'What do the residents actually want?' Some planners, however, view this question as a problematic distraction from evidence-based planning. Critics argue that community input sessions and resident surveys can undermine carefully researched development strategies. Yet advocates like Maria Rodriguez of the Community Planning Initiative believe this question highlights a crucial gap in data-driven approaches, arguing that resident preferences should complement, not compete with, analytical planning methods.
Which choice best describes the function of the underlined question in the text as a whole?
It represents the primary methodology that most municipal planners use to guide their development decisions.
It demonstrates why community input often conflicts with data-driven planning approaches.
It identifies a consideration that some planners view as potentially undermining evidence-based planning strategies.
It illustrates the type of community-focused approach that planners like Rodriguez typically advocate.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Municipal governments increasingly emphasize data-driven approaches to city planning." |
|
| "Advanced analytics, demographic modeling, and economic forecasting now inform most major development decisions." |
|
| "These quantitative methods have transformed how planners allocate resources and design urban spaces." |
|
| "What do the residents actually want?" |
|
| "Some planners, however, view this question as a problematic distraction from evidence-based planning." |
|
| "Critics argue that community input sessions and resident surveys can undermine carefully researched development strategies." |
|
| "Yet advocates like Maria Rodriguez believe this question highlights a crucial gap, arguing that resident preferences should complement analytical planning methods." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture
Main Point: Municipal planning has shifted toward data-driven approaches, but there's debate about whether considering resident preferences enhances or undermines evidence-based planning.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes data-driven planning dominance, then introduces the resident question as a point of contention between planners.
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 underlined question serves as a pivot point
- After establishing data-driven planning as dominant, this question introduces a different consideration that creates division among planners
It represents the primary methodology that most municipal planners use to guide their development decisions.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims the question represents the primary methodology planners use
- the passage establishes data-driven approaches as primary
It demonstrates why community input often conflicts with data-driven planning approaches.
✗ Incorrect
- Says the question demonstrates why community input conflicts with data-driven approaches
- the question itself doesn't demonstrate conflict
It identifies a consideration that some planners view as potentially undermining evidence-based planning strategies.
✓ Correct
- Identifies the question as a consideration that some planners view as potentially undermining evidence-based planning
- matches the text stating some planners view this question as problematic
It illustrates the type of community-focused approach that planners like Rodriguez typically advocate.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims it illustrates Rodriguez's typical approach
- Rodriguez sees it as highlighting a gap, not as her advocated approach