Postmodern architecture deliberately incorporates historical references and stylistic elements from previous eras. This eclectic borrowing means postm...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Postmodern architecture deliberately incorporates historical references and stylistic elements from previous eras. This eclectic borrowing means postmodern buildings can be ______ earlier architectural movements: the postmodern Piazza d'Italia draws extensively from classical Roman colonnade design, demonstrating how contemporary structures originated from traditional forms.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
independent of
contrasted with
derived from
separated from
Looking at this Words in Context question, I need to determine what word best describes the relationship between postmodern buildings and earlier architectural movements.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Postmodern architecture deliberately incorporates historical references and stylistic elements from previous eras.' |
|
| 'This eclectic borrowing means postmodern buildings can be ______' |
|
| 'earlier architectural movements:' |
|
| 'the postmodern Piazza d'Italia draws extensively from classical Roman colonnade design, demonstrating how contemporary structures originated from traditional forms.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Postmodern architecture deliberately incorporates and builds upon historical architectural elements from previous eras.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes that postmodern architecture intentionally borrows from historical styles, then uses this fact to describe the relationship between postmodern buildings and earlier movements, supporting this with a specific example that clarifies how modern structures trace their origins to traditional forms.
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
- Based on our analysis, the missing word needs to express how postmodern buildings relate to earlier architectural movements given that they 'deliberately incorporate historical references and stylistic elements.'
- The example reinforces this by showing how the Piazza d'Italia 'draws extensively from' Roman design and 'originated from traditional forms.'
- The relationship should indicate that postmodern buildings come from, are based on, or have their source in earlier movements - not that they're separate from or contrasted with them.
independent of
✗ Incorrect
- This would mean postmodern buildings have no connection to earlier movements
- Directly contradicts the passage's emphasis on 'incorporating historical references' and 'drawing extensively from' classical design
contrasted with
✗ Incorrect
- This would suggest postmodern buildings stand in opposition to earlier movements
- Contradicts the idea of 'incorporating' and 'drawing from' earlier styles
derived from
✓ Correct
- Perfectly captures the relationship described - postmodern buildings have their source in earlier movements
- Matches the passage's description of 'incorporating' elements and the example showing how structures 'originated from traditional forms'
separated from
✗ Incorrect
- This would mean postmodern buildings are kept apart from earlier movements
- Contradicts the entire premise of 'deliberate incorporation' of historical elements