Physical therapy has long been the standard treatment for chronic joint pain, providing patients with improved mobility and reduced discomfort....
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Physical therapy has long been the standard treatment for chronic joint pain, providing patients with improved mobility and reduced discomfort. New research indicates that combining traditional exercises with mindfulness meditation may deliver an even more _______ therapeutic approach: patients report not only physical improvements but also significant reductions in anxiety and sleep disorders.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
demanding
controversial
comprehensive
temporary
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Physical therapy has long been the standard treatment for chronic joint pain, providing patients with improved mobility and reduced discomfort.' |
|
| 'New research indicates that combining traditional exercises with mindfulness meditation may deliver an even more _______ therapeutic approach:' |
|
| 'patients report not only physical improvements but also significant reductions in anxiety and sleep disorders.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: New research suggests that combining physical therapy with mindfulness meditation creates a more effective therapeutic approach by addressing multiple types of health issues beyond just joint pain.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes physical therapy as the current standard treatment, then introduces new research showing that adding mindfulness meditation may create a superior approach, supported by evidence that patients experience broader benefits including physical, mental, and sleep-related improvements.
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 word needs to capture what makes the combined approach different from traditional physical therapy alone
- The traditional approach provides physical benefits, while the new combined approach provides those same physical benefits PLUS mental health benefits AND sleep improvements
- The missing word should convey that this new approach addresses multiple dimensions of health problems, not just the physical symptoms
- So the right answer should describe an approach that covers more aspects compared to the traditional approach alone
demanding
✗ Incorrect
- 'Demanding' suggests the approach requires more effort or is harder to follow
- This contradicts the positive tone of the passage and doesn't explain why the approach is better
controversial
✗ Incorrect
- 'Controversial' implies debate or disagreement about the approach
- Nothing in the passage suggests controversy - it presents research findings in a straightforward, positive way
comprehensive
✓ Correct
- 'Comprehensive' means covering all or many aspects thoroughly
- Perfectly matches our analysis - the new approach addresses physical symptoms AND anxiety AND sleep disorders
- The evidence directly supports this by showing the approach tackles multiple types of problems
temporary
✗ Incorrect
- 'Temporary' suggests the effects don't last long
- This contradicts the positive presentation of the research and doesn't make logical sense