Researchers were astounded to discover that a manuscript from the 1400s had remained intact in the cellar of a water-damaged...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Researchers were astounded to discover that a manuscript from the 1400s had remained intact in the cellar of a water-damaged abbey in Venice. Documents made of paper _______ withstand such severe dampness because they are susceptible to fungal growth and decomposition, yet scientists theorize that the stone walls provided remarkably steady environmental conditions that inhibited degradation.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
rarely
consistently
deliberately
effortlessly
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Researchers were astounded to discover that a manuscript from the 1400s had remained intact in the cellar of a water-damaged abbey in Venice." |
|
| "Documents made of paper _______ withstand such severe dampness because they are susceptible to fungal growth and decomposition," |
|
| "yet scientists theorize that the stone walls provided remarkably steady environmental conditions that inhibited degradation." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Despite paper's vulnerability to moisture damage, a medieval manuscript survived centuries in a water-damaged abbey due to protective environmental conditions.
Argument Flow: The passage moves from a surprising discovery to an explanation of why it was unexpected (paper's vulnerability to moisture), then provides a scientific theory for how the manuscript survived despite the hostile environment.
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 must explain why researchers were "astounded" by the discovery
- If paper documents easily withstood moisture, finding an intact manuscript wouldn't be surprising
- But if paper documents have trouble with moisture (which the passage says - they're "susceptible to fungal growth and decomposition"), then finding one intact would be astounding
- The word should indicate that paper documents typically struggle with severe dampness, making this discovery unexpected and remarkable
rarely
rarely
✓ Correct
- Creates perfect logical flow: documents rarely survive dampness, so finding one intact is astounding
- Matches why researchers were surprised - if survival is rare, discovery is remarkable
- Aligns with the explanation that paper is "susceptible" to damage in moisture
consistently
consistently
✗ Incorrect
- Would mean documents usually survive dampness well
- Contradicts researchers being "astounded" - if survival was consistent, why the surprise?
deliberately
deliberately
✗ Incorrect
- Documents can't intentionally withstand anything - they're inanimate objects
- Doesn't address the logical relationship about frequency or likelihood of survival
effortlessly
effortlessly
✗ Incorrect
- Would suggest easy survival, contradicting the researchers' astonishment
- Similar logical problem to "consistently" - easy survival wouldn't be surprising
The answer is A: rarely