While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:The Smithsonian Institution currently houses over 2.1 million artworks but...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- The Smithsonian Institution currently houses over \(2.1\) million artworks but displays only \(2\%\) in public galleries.
- Limited exhibition space forces curators to rotate artworks regularly and store most pieces in climate-controlled facilities.
- Many significant works remain in storage for years, accessible only to researchers and scholars.
- The museum's digital archive project aims to provide online access to the entire collection.
- Art historians argue that hidden masterpieces deserve broader public exposure.
- Recent studies show that \(90\%\) of museum visitors see fewer than \(50\) artworks during their visit.
The student wants to emphasize the contrast between the museum's total holdings and public access while explaining the primary constraint. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish these goals?
Recent studies reveal that museum visitors typically view fewer than 50 artworks, though the Smithsonian houses over 2.1 million pieces in its collection.
Despite housing over 2.1 million artworks, the Smithsonian displays only 2% publicly due to limited exhibition space, leaving most significant pieces accessible only to researchers.
The Smithsonian's digital archive project addresses the problem of valuable artworks remaining in storage rather than being displayed for public viewing.
Limited exhibition space requires museums to store most of their collections in climate-controlled facilities while rotating displayed pieces regularly.
TASK: Format Solution with Surgical Precision
FORMATTING RULES:
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The Smithsonian Institution currently houses over 2.1 million artworks but displays only 2% in public galleries." |
|
| "Limited exhibition space forces curators to rotate artworks regularly and store most pieces in climate-controlled facilities." |
|
| "Many significant works remain in storage for years, accessible only to researchers and scholars." |
|
| "The museum's digital archive project aims to provide online access to the entire collection." |
|
| "Art historians argue that hidden masterpieces deserve broader public exposure." |
|
| "Recent studies show that 90% of museum visitors see fewer than 50 artworks during their visit." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The Smithsonian faces a significant challenge in that despite housing over 2.1 million artworks, limited exhibition space allows only 2% to be displayed publicly, leaving most significant pieces inaccessible to the general public.
Argument Flow: The notes establish the dramatic scale problem, identify the root cause (limited space), show consequences (hidden valuable art), and present various responses including digital solutions and expert advocacy.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? A choice that accomplishes BOTH goals effectively using the research notes
What type of answer do we need? The student's goal has two specific requirements: 1. Emphasize the contrast between the museum's total holdings and public access 2. Explain the primary constraint
Any limiting keywords? None specified
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The correct choice must: Show the dramatic contrast between 2.1 million total artworks and the tiny percentage (2%) actually displayed publicly, and identify limited exhibition space as the primary constraint causing this problem using specific numbers from the notes.
Recent studies reveal that museum visitors typically view fewer than 50 artworks, though the Smithsonian houses over 2.1 million pieces in its collection.
✗ Incorrect
- Mentions visitor behavior rather than institutional display limitations
- Fails to explain the primary constraint (limited exhibition space)
Despite housing over 2.1 million artworks, the Smithsonian displays only 2% publicly due to limited exhibition space, leaving most significant pieces accessible only to researchers.
✓ Correct
- Perfectly captures the contrast: "over 2.1 million artworks" vs "displays only 2% publicly"
- Clearly identifies the primary constraint: "due to limited exhibition space"
- Accomplishes both required goals using specific data from the notes
The Smithsonian's digital archive project addresses the problem of valuable artworks remaining in storage rather than being displayed for public viewing.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on digital archive solution rather than the core contrast and constraint
- Doesn't provide the numerical contrast between total holdings and public access
Limited exhibition space requires museums to store most of their collections in climate-controlled facilities while rotating displayed pieces regularly.
✗ Incorrect
- Explains the constraint in general terms but lacks the specific numerical contrast that makes the scale difference clear
- Doesn't use the concrete data from the notes effectively