Stars form in cloudlike swirls of gas and dust that cannot be touched, but astrophysicist Nia Imara believes these formations...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Stars form in cloudlike swirls of gas and dust that cannot be touched, but astrophysicist Nia Imara believes these formations need not remain completely ________ to researchers: she uses simulation data and sophisticated 3D printers to produce interactive models of these stellar nurseries.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
repeatable
explicable
regrettable
intangible
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Stars form in cloudlike swirls of gas and dust that cannot be touched,' |
|
| 'but astrophysicist Nia Imara believes these formations need not remain completely ______ to researchers:' |
|
| 'she uses simulation data and sophisticated 3D printers to produce interactive models of these stellar nurseries.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Astrophysicist Nia Imara makes untouchable star formations accessible to researchers through 3D printed interactive models.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes that star formations cannot be physically touched, then contrasts this limitation with Imara's belief that they don't have to remain completely inaccessible, and finally explains that she solves this through creating tangible 3D models.
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
- The word must describe the current state of star formations that Imara wants to change
- We know these formations 'cannot be touched' but she creates 'interactive models' - so there's a clear contrast between untouchable and touchable
- The missing word should describe the quality of being untouchable or physically inaccessible
repeatable
✗ Incorrect
- 'Repeatable' means able to be done again
- This doesn't fit the contrast between 'cannot be touched' and making 'interactive models'
explicable
✗ Incorrect
- 'Explicable' means able to be explained or understood
- This doesn't connect to the physical accessibility theme
regrettable
✗ Incorrect
- 'Regrettable' means unfortunate or disappointing
- This doesn't fit the logical flow about making formations accessible
intangible
✓ Correct
- 'Intangible' means unable to be touched or grasped physically
- This perfectly matches the setup: formations that 'cannot be touched' are currently intangible
- The contrast works beautifully: she believes they 'need not remain completely intangible' and solves this by making tangible 3D models