Text 1Professor Elena Rodriguez has published extensively on medieval European trade routes, earning acclaim for her theoretical framework analyzing c...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Professor Elena Rodriguez has published extensively on medieval European trade routes, earning acclaim for her theoretical framework analyzing commercial networks. Historian Dr. James Patterson, however, questions the practical applicability of Rodriguez's work. Patterson argues that Rodriguez's conclusions rely heavily on theoretical modeling because her current research methodology focuses primarily on archival document analysis rather than incorporating contemporary archaeological findings that could strengthen her arguments.
Text 2
Rodriguez acknowledges that her recent publications emphasize archival research, but this represents a deliberate methodological choice rather than a limitation. Her early career archaeological fieldwork at several medieval trading posts along the Rhine River provided her with foundational understanding of material culture. This background allows her to interpret documentary evidence with greater precision, as she can visualize the physical contexts that archival sources describe.
Based on the texts, how would the author of Text 2 most likely respond to Patterson's claim about Rodriguez's research methodology?
Patterson fails to recognize the value of archival research in historical analysis.
Most medieval historians rely primarily on documentary evidence rather than archaeological data.
Rodriguez's current focus on archival work is informed by her earlier archaeological experience.
Rodriguez's theoretical framework has influenced other scholars studying medieval trade.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Professor Elena Rodriguez has published extensively on medieval European trade routes, earning acclaim for her theoretical framework analyzing commercial networks. |
|
| Historian Dr. James Patterson, however, questions the practical applicability of Rodriguez's work. |
|
| Patterson argues that Rodriguez's conclusions rely heavily on theoretical modeling because her current research methodology focuses primarily on archival document analysis rather than incorporating contemporary archaeological findings that could strengthen her arguments. |
|
| Rodriguez acknowledges that her recent publications emphasize archival research, but this represents a deliberate methodological choice rather than a limitation. |
|
| Her early career archaeological fieldwork at several medieval trading posts along the Rhine River provided her with foundational understanding of material culture. |
|
| This background allows her to interpret documentary evidence with greater precision, as she can visualize the physical contexts that archival sources describe. |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Rodriguez's focus on archival research is not a methodological limitation as Patterson suggests, but rather a deliberate choice informed by her archaeological experience.
Argument Flow: Text 1 establishes Rodriguez's reputation but introduces Patterson's criticism that her work is too theoretical because it relies only on documents instead of incorporating archaeology. Text 2 counters this by revealing that Rodriguez's archival approach is actually strengthened by her early archaeological fieldwork, which gives her deeper insight when interpreting documents.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? How would the author of Text 2 respond to Patterson's specific claim about Rodriguez's research methodology
What type of answer do we need? A response that shows how Text 2's author would counter or address Patterson's criticism
Any limiting keywords? Content Genre: Humanities & Social Sciences, Content Format: Text-only, Question Type: Cross-Text Connections, Language Complexity: Moderate
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Patterson's main criticism is that Rodriguez's methodology is limited because she only uses archival documents and doesn't incorporate archaeological findings
- Text 2's response shows that Rodriguez actually does have archaeological experience - she did fieldwork early in her career
- The key point is that this archaeological background now informs and strengthens her archival work, rather than being absent from it
Patterson fails to recognize the value of archival research in historical analysis.
✗ Incorrect
- This focuses on defending archival research in general
- Text 2 doesn't argue that Patterson undervalues archival work - it argues that Patterson misunderstands Rodriguez's specific approach
Most medieval historians rely primarily on documentary evidence rather than archaeological data.
✗ Incorrect
- This is about what other historians do, not about Rodriguez specifically
- Text 2 focuses on Rodriguez's unique background, not on general historical practices
Rodriguez's current focus on archival work is informed by her earlier archaeological experience.
✓ Correct
- Directly addresses Patterson's criticism that Rodriguez ignores archaeological findings
- Matches Text 2's main argument that her archaeological fieldwork background enhances her document analysis
Rodriguez's theoretical framework has influenced other scholars studying medieval trade.
✗ Incorrect
- This is about Rodriguez's influence on others, not about her methodology
- Doesn't respond to Patterson's specific criticism about archival vs. archaeological approaches