Proposals to raise the age at which retirees begin receiving government transfers of funds are generally discussed in terms of...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Proposals to raise the age at which retirees begin receiving government transfers of funds are generally discussed in terms of the effects on transfer recipients, but Andria Smythe has argued that delaying such transfers could _______ wealth creation among working adults by lengthening the period in which they are providing financial support to their nonworking parents.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
stymie
compound
disparage
outstrip
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Proposals to raise the age at which retirees begin receiving government transfers of funds are generally discussed in terms of the effects on transfer recipients, |
|
| but Andria Smythe has argued that delaying such transfers could |
|
| wealth creation among working adults by lengthening the period in which they are providing financial support to their nonworking parents. |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Andria Smythe argues that delaying retirement benefits affects working adults' wealth creation, not just retirees.
Argument Flow: The passage presents the conventional way of discussing retirement policy (focusing on retirees), then introduces Smythe's alternative perspective that considers impacts on working adults. Smythe's reasoning is that longer support periods for parents would have some effect on working adults' ability to create wealth.
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
- From our analysis, we know Smythe is presenting an alternative view about retirement policy effects
- The logic flows like this: if working adults have to support their nonworking parents for a longer period (because government transfers are delayed), this would likely create a burden that interferes with their own wealth-building efforts
- So the right answer should indicate that delaying transfers would negatively impact or hinder wealth creation among working adults
stymie
Correct
- Stymie means to hinder, block, or impede progress
- Perfectly captures the negative impact - if working adults must support parents longer, this would block their ability to build their own wealth
- Matches our prethinking about the burden delaying transfers would create
compound
Incorrect
- Compound means to increase or make more intense
- This would suggest delaying transfers somehow increases wealth creation, which contradicts the logical flow
disparage
Incorrect
- Disparage means to criticize or speak negatively about something
- Doesn't make logical sense - delaying transfers wouldn't criticize wealth creation
outstrip
Incorrect
- Outstrip means to exceed or surpass
- Would suggest wealth creation among working adults would exceed something, but exceed what?
- Doesn't connect logically to the burden of supporting parents longer