Restorers working on a deteriorated 18th-century portrait initially struggled to identify subtle details in the subject's clothing and jewelry due...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Restorers working on a deteriorated 18th-century portrait initially struggled to identify subtle details in the subject's clothing and jewelry due to centuries of dirt and varnish accumulation. Careful cleaning with specialized solvents gradually revealed intricate lacework and gemstone settings, enhancing the painting's ______ for both scholars and viewers.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
clarity
value
age
authenticity
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Restorers working on a deteriorated 18th-century portrait initially struggled to identify subtle details in the subject's clothing and jewelry due to centuries of dirt and varnish accumulation.' |
|
| 'Careful cleaning with specialized solvents gradually revealed intricate lacework and gemstone settings,' |
|
| 'enhancing the painting's _______ for both scholars and viewers.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Professional restoration of an old portrait successfully revealed hidden details, improving the painting's visual accessibility for both academic study and general viewing.
Argument Flow: The passage presents a problem-solution-result structure. First, it establishes that centuries of accumulation made details invisible to restorers. Then it describes how specialized cleaning gradually revealed intricate features. Finally, it connects this revelation to an enhanced quality that benefits both scholars and viewers.
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 key relationship is: hidden details become visible leads to painting becomes more [BLANK] leads to benefits both scholars and viewers
- The right answer should describe the visual accessibility or comprehensibility that results from making obscured details visible again
clarity
✓ Correct
- 'Clarity' perfectly captures what happens when obscured details become visible
- Directly connects to the problem-solution structure: dirt/varnish made things unclear, cleaning made them clear
- Makes logical sense for both scholars and viewers
value
✗ Incorrect
- While restoration might increase monetary worth, the passage focuses on visual revelation, not economic impact
- Doesn't directly connect to the specific benefit of making hidden details visible
age
✗ Incorrect
- The painting's age doesn't change through cleaning
- Makes no logical connection to the revelation of details or benefits to scholars/viewers
authenticity
✗ Incorrect
- The painting was already authentic before cleaning; revealing details doesn't make it more authentic