The following text is adapted from a school administrator's report about a classroom observation. Principal Johnson is evaluating a new...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
The following text is adapted from a school administrator's report about a classroom observation. Principal Johnson is evaluating a new teacher's classroom management during a group activity.
During the observation, Principal Johnson watched as students in different corners of the room worked on separate parts of an assignment. Several students left their seats to gather materials, while others remained at their desks reading quietly. Some students were discussing their work in pairs, and a few were working independently with headphones on.
In his evaluation report, Principal Johnson wrote: 'The classroom exhibits excellent structure and organization. The students demonstrate exceptional focus-and with such discipline and order!'
Based on the text, how does Principal Johnson respond to the classroom activity?
He commends the students' independent work habits, even though many students were collaborating.
He describes the classroom as orderly, even though the classroom clearly appears otherwise.
He praises the teacher's material preparation, even though the students gathered their own materials.
He notes the students' quiet behavior, even though several students were discussing their work.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'During the observation, Principal Johnson watched as students in different corners of the room worked on separate parts of an assignment.' |
|
| 'Several students left their seats to gather materials, while others remained at their desks reading quietly.' |
|
| 'Some students were discussing their work in pairs, and a few were working independently with headphones on.' |
|
| 'In his evaluation report, Principal Johnson wrote: "The classroom exhibits excellent structure and organization. The students demonstrate exceptional focus and with such discipline and order!"' |
|
Main Point: Principal Johnson evaluates a classroom with diverse, scattered student activities as having excellent structure and organization.
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 classroom shows students doing varied activities - scattered around corners, moving around, some reading quietly, some discussing in pairs, some working independently
- This appears diverse and varied
- But Principal Johnson describes this scene using words like 'excellent structure and organization' and 'discipline and order'
- There's a contrast between the apparent reality and his characterization
He commends the students' independent work habits, even though many students were collaborating.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims he commends independent work despite collaboration
- But the passage shows both happening simultaneously and his evaluation focuses on structure/organization, not specifically independent work
He describes the classroom as orderly, even though the classroom clearly appears otherwise.
✓ Correct
- He describes the classroom as orderly using phrases like 'excellent structure and organization' and 'discipline and order'
- Despite the classroom appearing more varied and scattered with students in different corners doing different activities
He praises the teacher's material preparation, even though the students gathered their own materials.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims he praises teacher's material preparation
- But his evaluation makes no mention of material preparation
He notes the students' quiet behavior, even though several students were discussing their work.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims he notes quiet behavior despite discussion
- But his evaluation emphasizes focus and discipline generally, not specifically quiet behavior