The following text is from Maria Rodriguez's 2019 journal entry about her doctoral research.My mind reaches toward the unknown territories...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The following text is from Maria Rodriguez's 2019 journal entry about her doctoral research.
My mind reaches toward the unknown territories of knowledge, seeking those moments when understanding crystallizes from confusion. Each day in the laboratory feels like standing at the edge of discovery, where careful observation might unlock secrets that have puzzled researchers for decades. I find myself drawn deeper into this pursuit, hoping that my work will contribute to the vast tapestry of human knowledge and perhaps bring clarity to questions that have long remained unanswered.
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
To convey the writer's desire for her research to contribute meaningfully to scientific understanding
To contrast the writer's daily laboratory routine with the excitement of potential breakthrough discoveries
To illustrate the writer's growing confidence in her ability to solve complex research problems
To justify the writer's decision to pursue doctoral-level research despite its inherent challenges
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "My mind reaches toward the unknown territories of knowledge, seeking those moments when understanding crystallizes from confusion." |
|
| "Each day in the laboratory feels like standing at the edge of discovery, where careful observation might unlock secrets that have puzzled researchers for decades." |
|
| "I find myself drawn deeper into this pursuit, hoping that my work will contribute to the vast tapestry of human knowledge and perhaps bring clarity to questions that have long remained unanswered." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Maria Rodriguez expresses her desire for her doctoral research to meaningfully contribute to scientific understanding and help answer longstanding questions.
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 right answer should capture why Rodriguez wrote this journal entry
- She moves from describing her research mindset to her daily lab experience to ultimately expressing her hopes about contributing to human knowledge
- The correct answer must focus on her desire for her research to make a meaningful contribution to scientific understanding
To convey the writer's desire for her research to contribute meaningfully to scientific understanding
- Captures her central hope that her work will "contribute to the vast tapestry of human knowledge" and matches the aspirational tone throughout the passage
To contrast the writer's daily laboratory routine with the excitement of potential breakthrough discoveries
- Claims the text contrasts routine vs. excitement, but there's no contrast presented - she describes lab work as exciting
To illustrate the writer's growing confidence in her ability to solve complex research problems
- Focuses on "growing confidence" which isn't mentioned in the passage - she expresses hope and aspiration, not confidence
To justify the writer's decision to pursue doctoral-level research despite its inherent challenges
- Claims she's justifying her decision to pursue doctoral research, but no mention of challenges or need for justification appears in the passage