The following text is adapted from Mohsin Hamid's 2017 novel Exit West. Saeed lives with his mother and father. On...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The following text is adapted from Mohsin Hamid's 2017 novel Exit West. Saeed lives with his mother and father.
On cloudless nights after a daytime rain, Saeed's father would sometimes bring out the telescope, and the family would sip green tea on their balcony, enjoying a breeze, and take turns to look up at objects whose light, often, had been emitted before any of these three viewers had been born—light from other centuries, only now reaching Earth.
©2017 by Mohsin Hamid
As used in the text, what does the word 'reaching' most nearly mean?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "On cloudless nights after a daytime rain, Saeed's father would sometimes bring out the telescope," |
|
| "and the family would sip green tea on their balcony, enjoying a breeze," |
|
| "and take turns to look up at objects whose light, often, had been emitted before any of these three viewers had been born—" |
|
| "light from other centuries, only now reaching Earth." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The passage describes a peaceful family ritual of stargazing that connects them to light from the distant past.
Argument Flow: The author establishes a serene setting, then focuses on the remarkable concept that the light they're viewing has traveled for centuries to reach Earth, creating a sense of connection across time.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The meaning of the word "reaching" as used in this specific context
What type of answer do we need? A synonym or near-synonym that captures how "reaching" functions in this sentence about light traveling to Earth
Any limiting keywords? "As used in the text" tells us we need the contextual meaning, not just any dictionary definition of "reaching"
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The word "reaching" describes what light does when it gets to Earth after traveling through space
- In this context, it's about completion of a journey—light has traveled from distant stars and is finally getting to its destination
- The emphasis is on arrival after a long journey through space and time
- The right answer should capture the idea of light finally arriving at or getting to Earth after its long journey
- Perfectly captures the sense of light completing its journey from distant stars to Earth
- Matches the context of light traveling across centuries and finally getting to its destination
- Means seeking advice or having a discussion
- Makes no sense in the context of light and Earth—light doesn't seek advice from or discuss things with Earth
- Implies rapid movement on foot, which doesn't describe how light travels
- While light does move fast, "running" suggests physical motion that doesn't fit the cosmic, timeless quality the passage emphasizes
- Means holding onto or grasping something tightly
- Doesn't make sense with light and Earth—light doesn't grab onto or stick to Earth; it simply arrives there