While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes: Some powerful works of literature have so influenced readers...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Some powerful works of literature have so influenced readers that new legislation has been passed as a result.
- The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano (1789) is the autobiography of a man who endured slavery on both sides of the Atlantic.
- Equiano's book contributed to the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807.
- The Jungle (1906) is a fictional work by Upton Sinclair that describes unsanitary conditions in US meatpacking plants.
- Sinclair's book contributed to the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906.
The student wants to emphasize a difference between the two books. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Although both are powerful works of literature that contributed to new legislation, Equiano's book is an autobiography, while Sinclair's is fictional.
They may have written about different topics, but Equiano and Sinclair both influenced readers.
The 1807 Slave Trade Act resulted in part from a book by Equiano, while the 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act resulted in part from a book by Sinclair.
The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano and The Jungle are two works of literature that contributed to new legislation (concerning the slave trade and food safety, respectively).
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Some powerful works of literature have so influenced readers that new legislation has been passed as a result." |
|
| "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano (1789) is the autobiography of a man who endured slavery on both sides of the Atlantic." |
|
| "Equiano's book contributed to the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807." |
|
| "The Jungle (1906) is a fictional work by Upton Sinclair that describes unsanitary conditions in US meatpacking plants." |
|
| "Sinclair's book contributed to the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Literature can be so powerful that it drives readers to support new legislation.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes that literature can influence legislation, then provides two concrete historical examples—Equiano's autobiography about slavery leading to the Slave Trade Act, and Sinclair's fictional work about meatpacking leading to the Pure Food and Drug Act.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The student wants to emphasize a DIFFERENCE between the two books.
What type of answer do we need? A statement that highlights a distinguishing characteristic between Equiano's and Sinclair's works.
Any limiting keywords? "Difference" is the key limiting word—we need to find what sets these books apart, not what they share.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Looking at our passage analysis, both books achieved the same outcome (influencing legislation), but they differ in several ways
- The most significant difference is genre: Equiano wrote an autobiography (real-life account), while Sinclair wrote fiction
- The right answer should clearly state what distinguishes one book from the other, rather than focusing on their similarities
Although both are powerful works of literature that contributed to new legislation, Equiano's book is an autobiography, while Sinclair's is fictional.
✓ Correct
- Acknowledges the similarity but then clearly states the key difference: "Equiano's book is an autobiography, while Sinclair's is fictional" which perfectly highlights the genre distinction
They may have written about different topics, but Equiano and Sinclair both influenced readers.
✗ Incorrect
- Says "They may have written about different topics" but doesn't actually specify what those differences are and ends by emphasizing similarity rather than difference
The 1807 Slave Trade Act resulted in part from a book by Equiano, while the 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act resulted in part from a book by Sinclair.
✗ Incorrect
- Simply lists the different acts each book influenced without emphasizing any difference between the books themselves
The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano and The Jungle are two works of literature that contributed to new legislation (concerning the slave trade and food safety, respectively).
✗ Incorrect
- Presents both books as similar examples that "contributed to new legislation" without contrasting them effectively