Sleep researcher Dr. Patel has documented the relationship between screen time and rest quality. Her studies show that exposure to...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Sleep researcher Dr. Patel has documented the relationship between screen time and rest quality. Her studies show that exposure to blue light from electronic devices within two hours of bedtime can significantly ______ the time required to fall asleep.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
reduce
stabilize
increase
disguise
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Sleep researcher Dr. Patel has documented the relationship between screen time and rest quality." |
|
| "Her studies show that exposure to blue light from electronic devices within two hours of bedtime can significantly" |
|
| "the time required to fall asleep." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Patel's research shows that blue light exposure near bedtime affects how long it takes to fall asleep.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes Dr. Patel's research focus, then presents a specific finding about blue light's effect on sleep onset time.
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
- Blue light exposure from devices near bedtime has a significant effect on the time required to fall asleep
- Based on scientific understanding, blue light is known to disrupt sleep patterns and make it harder to fall asleep
- Therefore, the missing word should indicate that blue light exposure increases the time required to fall asleep
reduce
✗ Incorrect
- This would mean blue light makes it faster to fall asleep, which contradicts research about blue light's disruptive effects
stabilize
✗ Incorrect
- This would mean blue light keeps the time steady, which doesn't align with the passage stating it has a "significant" effect
increase
✓ Correct
- This means blue light makes it take longer to fall asleep, which matches scientific understanding of blue light's disruptive effects
disguise
✗ Incorrect
- This would mean blue light hides the time required, which makes no logical sense in this context