While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Started in 1925, the Scripps National Spelling Bee is a...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Started in 1925, the Scripps National Spelling Bee is a US-based spelling competition.
- The words used in the competition have diverse linguistic origins.
- In 2008, Sameer Mishra won by correctly spelling the word 'guerdon.'
- 'Guerdon' derives from the Anglo-French word 'guerdun.'
- In 2009, Kavya Shivashankar won by correctly spelling the word 'Laodicean.'
- 'Laodicean' derives from the ancient Greek word 'Laodíkeia.'
The student wants to emphasize a difference in the origins of the two words. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
'Guerdon,' the final word of the 2008 Scripps National Spelling Bee, is of Anglo-French origin, while the following year's final word, 'Laodicean,' derives from ancient Greek.
In 2008, Sameer Mishra won the Scripps National Spelling Bee by correctly spelling the word 'guerdon'; however, the following year, Kavya Shivashankar won based on spelling the word 'Laodicean.'
Kavya Shivashankar won the 2009 Scripps National Spelling Bee by correctly spelling 'Laodicean,' which derives from the ancient Greek word 'Laodíkeia.'
The Scripps National Spelling Bee uses words from diverse linguistic origins, such as 'guerdon' and 'Laodicean.'
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Started in 1925, the Scripps National Spelling Bee is a US-based spelling competition." |
|
| "The words used in the competition have diverse linguistic origins." |
|
| "In 2008, Sameer Mishra won by correctly spelling the word 'guerdon.'" |
|
| "'Guerdon' derives from the Anglo-French word 'guerdun.'" |
|
| "In 2009, Kavya Shivashankar won by correctly spelling the word 'Laodicean.'" |
|
| "'Laodicean' derives from the ancient Greek word 'Laodikeia.'" |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The Scripps National Spelling Bee features words from various linguistic backgrounds, as demonstrated by consecutive years' winning words coming from different language families.
Argument Flow: The notes establish the competition's context, make a general claim about linguistic diversity, then support this claim with two specific examples from consecutive years that show different etymological origins—one from Anglo-French and one from ancient Greek.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which choice most effectively emphasizes a difference in the origins of the two words.
What type of answer do we need? A synthesis that highlights the contrast between the linguistic origins of "guerdon" and "Laodicean."
Any limiting keywords? "Most effectively" suggests we need the choice that does the best job of emphasizing the difference, and "difference in the origins" tells us the focus must be on contrasting the etymological sources.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The right answer should mention both words ("guerdon" and "Laodicean") to make a comparison possible
- The right answer should clearly identify their different linguistic origins (Anglo-French vs. ancient Greek)
- The right answer should present these origins in a way that emphasizes the contrast between them
'Guerdon,' the final word of the 2008 Scripps National Spelling Bee, is of Anglo-French origin, while the following year's final word, 'Laodicean,' derives from ancient Greek.
✓ Correct
- Directly contrasts both words and their origins: Anglo-French vs. ancient Greek
- Uses effective comparative structure to emphasize the difference
In 2008, Sameer Mishra won the Scripps National Spelling Bee by correctly spelling the word 'guerdon'; however, the following year, Kavya Shivashankar won based on spelling the word 'Laodicean.'
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on the winners and competition results rather than linguistic origins
- Misses the point about emphasizing origins
Kavya Shivashankar won the 2009 Scripps National Spelling Bee by correctly spelling 'Laodicean,' which derives from the ancient Greek word 'Laodíkeia.'
✗ Incorrect
- Only discusses one word's origin (Laodicean from Greek)
- Cannot emphasize a "difference" when only presenting information about one word
The Scripps National Spelling Bee uses words from diverse linguistic origins, such as 'guerdon' and 'Laodicean.'
✗ Incorrect
- States the general claim about diverse origins but provides no specific details
- Cannot emphasize the difference without specifying what the different origins are