Numerous art reviewers have historically regarded modern sculptors as intensely rivalrous professionals, chiefly concerned with furthering their perso...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Numerous art reviewers have historically regarded modern sculptors as intensely rivalrous professionals, chiefly concerned with furthering their personal success rather than assisting fellow artists. Nevertheless, current discussions with practicing artists indicate that the sculptural field might be more cooperative than earlier believed. Art dealer Maria Rodriguez contends that seasoned sculptors frequently make special efforts to advance newcomers within their discipline.
Which discovery, if accurate, would most strongly validate Rodriguez's position?
Seasoned sculptors have been documented appearing at exhibition debuts showcasing exclusively their personal creations.
Multiple distinguished sculptors have been recorded guiding creators who practice in entirely separate artistic forms.
Seasoned sculptors regularly suggest newcomer sculptors for display possibilities at prominent art venues.
The majority of sculptors express contentment with their present degree of career acknowledgment.
TASK: Format Solution with Surgical Precision
I'll solve this step by step, following the systematic process to help you understand exactly how to approach Command of Evidence questions.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Numerous art reviewers have historically regarded modern sculptors as intensely rivalrous professionals, chiefly concerned with furthering their personal success rather than assisting fellow artists." |
|
| "Nevertheless, current discussions with practicing artists indicate that the sculptural field might be more cooperative than earlier believed." |
|
| "Art dealer Maria Rodriguez contends that seasoned sculptors frequently make special efforts to advance newcomers within their discipline." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Contrary to historical views of sculptors as rivalrous, current evidence suggests the field is more cooperative, with seasoned artists helping newcomers.
Argument Flow: The passage first presents the traditional view of sculptors as competitive and self-interested. It then contrasts this with newer evidence suggesting more cooperation. Rodriguez's specific claim about seasoned sculptors helping newcomers serves as concrete evidence for this more cooperative view.
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
- Rodriguez's position is that "seasoned sculptors frequently make special efforts to advance newcomers within their discipline." The right answer should:
- Show seasoned sculptors taking concrete actions to help newcomers
- Be specifically about sculptors helping other sculptors (not artists in general)
- Demonstrate "advancing" or helping with career development
Seasoned sculptors have been documented appearing at exhibition debuts showcasing exclusively their personal creations.
✗ Incorrect
- This describes seasoned sculptors appearing at exhibitions featuring only their own work
- This actually suggests self-focus rather than helping newcomers and contradicts Rodriguez's cooperative view
Multiple distinguished sculptors have been recorded guiding creators who practice in entirely separate artistic forms.
✗ Incorrect
- This shows sculptors helping artists in "entirely separate artistic forms"
- Rodriguez specifically mentioned helping "newcomers within their discipline" (sculpture)
- This is about cross-disciplinary help, not sculptors helping sculptors
Seasoned sculptors regularly suggest newcomer sculptors for display possibilities at prominent art venues.
✓ Correct
- Shows seasoned sculptors "regularly suggesting newcomer sculptors for display possibilities at prominent art venues"
- This directly demonstrates experienced sculptors taking concrete action ("suggesting") to advance newcomers' careers ("display possibilities at prominent venues")
- Perfectly matches Rodriguez's claim about seasoned sculptors making "special efforts to advance newcomers within their discipline"
The majority of sculptors express contentment with their present degree of career acknowledgment.
✗ Incorrect
- This is about sculptors being content with their own recognition
- Says nothing about whether they help newcomers and doesn't address the cooperative behavior Rodriguez described