During academic research, a student compiled these notes on a conservation organization:Naturalist John Muir and fellow environmentalists founded the ...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
During academic research, a student compiled these notes on a conservation organization:
- Naturalist John Muir and fellow environmentalists founded the Sierra Club in 1892.
- The group's mission centered on safeguarding American wilderness from industrial development.
- Muir led the organization as its initial president through 1914.
- The Wilderness Act (Public Law 88-577) became federal law in 1964.
- This groundbreaking statute established the National Wilderness Preservation System.
- The Sierra Club's relentless advocacy campaigns proved crucial in achieving the legislation's enactment.
The student aims to highlight a major accomplishment of the Sierra Club. Which option best utilizes pertinent details from the notes to achieve this objective?
Through relentless advocacy campaigns, the Sierra Club proved crucial in achieving enactment of the Wilderness Act, groundbreaking statute that established the National Wilderness Preservation System.
Founded in 1892 by John Muir and fellow environmentalists, the Sierra Club's mission centered on safeguarding wilderness from industrial development.
Led by John Muir as initial president through 1914, the Sierra Club emerged from naturalists' efforts to protect American wilderness areas.
The Sierra Club passed the Wilderness Act in 1964, creating legislation to shield America's wilderness from industrial development.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Naturalist John Muir and fellow environmentalists founded the Sierra Club in 1892." |
|
| "The group's mission centered on safeguarding American wilderness from industrial development." |
|
| "Muir led the organization as its initial president through 1914." |
|
| "The Wilderness Act (Public Law 88-577) became federal law in 1964." |
|
| "This groundbreaking statute established the National Wilderness Preservation System." |
|
| "The Sierra Club's relentless advocacy campaigns proved crucial in achieving the legislation's enactment." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The notes document the Sierra Club's evolution from a wilderness protection organization founded by John Muir in 1892 to a group that played a crucial role in achieving major environmental legislation.
Argument Flow: The notes begin with the Sierra Club's founding and mission in the 1890s, then jump forward to show how the organization's advocacy efforts were instrumental in passing the landmark Wilderness Act of 1964.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The student has a specific goal: to highlight a major accomplishment of the Sierra Club. The question asks which answer choice best uses the research notes to showcase a significant achievement of the Sierra Club.
What type of answer do we need? An answer that demonstrates a major accomplishment rather than just organizational details.
Any limiting keywords? "Major accomplishment," "best uses the research notes," "showcase a significant achievement."
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Looking at our notes, a major accomplishment would be the Sierra Club's role in the Wilderness Act
- The notes specifically mention that the Sierra Club's "relentless advocacy campaigns proved crucial in achieving the legislation's enactment"
- The right answer should show the Sierra Club actively contributing to a significant environmental achievement
Through relentless advocacy campaigns, the Sierra Club proved crucial in achieving enactment of the Wilderness Act, groundbreaking statute that established the National Wilderness Preservation System.
- Uses specific language from the notes about "relentless advocacy campaigns"
- Shows how the Sierra Club's efforts led to significant environmental legislation
- Demonstrates impact rather than just describing organizational existence
Founded in 1892 by John Muir and fellow environmentalists, the Sierra Club's mission centered on safeguarding wilderness from industrial development.
- Only describes the founding and mission statement
- Focuses on organizational details rather than achievements
Led by John Muir as initial president through 1914, the Sierra Club emerged from naturalists' efforts to protect American wilderness areas.
- Emphasizes leadership structure and origins rather than concrete achievements
- Describes how the Sierra Club "emerged" but doesn't show what it accomplished
The Sierra Club passed the Wilderness Act in 1964, creating legislation to shield America's wilderness from industrial development.
- Contains a factual error stating the Sierra Club "passed" the Wilderness Act, but organizations don't pass federal legislation
- Misrepresents the Sierra Club's role