While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Some US reformers sought to improve society in the 1800s...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Some US reformers sought to improve society in the 1800s by building utopias.
- A utopia is a community intended to represent a perfect society based on a specific set of principles.
- One such community was Brook Farm near Boston, Massachusetts.
- It was founded in 1841 by writer George Ripley.
- Ripley wrote in a letter that his goal for Brook Farm was 'to guarantee the highest mental freedom, by providing all with labor, adapted to their tastes and talents, and securing to them the fruits of their industry.'
The student wants to explain the goal of Brook Farm using a quotation from George Ripley. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
In a letter, writer George Ripley explained his goal to 'guarantee the highest mental freedom.'
Utopias, such as Brook Farm, founded by George Ripley in 1841, were based on a specific set of principles intended to create a perfect society.
Founded by George Ripley near Boston, Massachusetts, Brook Farm was part of a trend in the 1800s, when reformers in the United States built utopias.
Established in 1841, Brook Farm was a utopian community created to 'guarantee the highest mental freedom, by providing all with labor... [and] the fruits of their industry,' according to founder George Ripley.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Some US reformers sought to improve society in the 1800s by building utopias." |
|
| "A utopia is a community intended to represent a perfect society based on a specific set of principles." |
|
| "One such community was Brook Farm near Boston, Massachusetts." |
|
| "It was founded in 1841 by writer George Ripley." |
|
| "Ripley wrote in a letter that his goal for Brook Farm was 'to guarantee the highest mental freedom, by providing all with labor, adapted to their tastes and talents, and securing to them the fruits of their industry.'" |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Brook Farm was a utopian community founded by George Ripley in 1841 with the goal of providing mental freedom through work suited to individual talents.
Argument Flow: The notes move from general historical context to a definition of utopias, then narrow to the specific example of Brook Farm with its founding details and Ripley stated purpose for the community.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The student wants to explain the goal of Brook Farm using a quotation from George Ripley.
What type of answer do we need? A sentence that both explains what Brook Farm goal was AND incorporates Ripley actual quoted words.
Any limiting keywords? Most effectively means we need the choice that best combines explaining the goal with using relevant quoted material from Ripley.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
The perfect answer should:
- Identify that Brook Farm was a utopian community with a specific goal
- Include Ripley direct quotation about highest mental freedom
- Connect the quotation to explaining what Brook Farm was meant to accomplish
- Make clear that this quotation comes from Ripley as the founder
In a letter, writer George Ripley explained his goal to 'guarantee the highest mental freedom.'
✗ Incorrect
- Only includes part of Ripley quotation, does not explain what Brook Farm was or connect the quote to the community goal
Utopias, such as Brook Farm, founded by George Ripley in 1841, were based on a specific set of principles intended to create a perfect society.
✗ Incorrect
- Does not include any quotation from Ripley at all, only provides general information about utopias and Brook Farm founding
Founded by George Ripley near Boston, Massachusetts, Brook Farm was part of a trend in the 1800s, when reformers in the United States built utopias.
✗ Incorrect
- Does not include any quotation from Ripley, focuses on historical context rather than Brook Farm specific goal
Established in 1841, Brook Farm was a utopian community created to 'guarantee the highest mental freedom, by providing all with labor... [and] the fruits of their industry,' according to founder George Ripley.
✓ Correct
- Identifies Brook Farm as utopian community established in 1841
- Includes the most complete and relevant part of Ripley quotation
- Clearly attributes the quotation to founder George Ripley
- Effectively explains that Brook Farm was created to achieve the goal stated in the quotation