Studies conducted by the Center for Educational Research indicate that learners' understanding within group-based educational settings shows marked en...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Studies conducted by the Center for Educational Research indicate that learners' understanding within group-based educational settings shows marked enhancement when interpersonal engagement is fostered and facilitated, yet scholastic achievement typically decreases when this engagement becomes _______.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
supervised
constrained
catalogued
organized
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Studies conducted by the Center for Educational Research indicate that learners' understanding within group-based educational settings shows marked enhancement when interpersonal engagement is fostered and facilitated," |
|
| "yet" |
|
| "scholastic achievement typically decreases when this engagement becomes _______." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Research shows that group learning benefits from supported interpersonal engagement, but academic achievement suffers when this engagement takes on a different, problematic quality.
Argument Flow: The passage presents a research finding that establishes the positive effects of well-managed interpersonal engagement in educational settings. However, it then contrasts this with evidence that the same engagement can become counterproductive under different conditions.
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 missing word must create a logical contrast with "fostered and facilitated."
- We know that when engagement is fostered and facilitated, learning improves.
- But when engagement becomes [missing word], academic achievement decreases.
- So the missing word needs to describe engagement that is the opposite of fostered and facilitated - something that limits, restricts, or hampers the natural flow of interpersonal interaction rather than supporting it.
supervised
✗ Incorrect
- "Supervised" means monitored or watched over.
- While this suggests some control, supervision can actually be positive and supportive.
- Doesn't create the necessary strong contrast with "fostered and facilitated."
constrained
✓ Correct
- "Constrained" means limited, restricted, or held back.
- Creates perfect logical contrast with "fostered and facilitated."
- When engagement is constrained rather than encouraged, it makes sense that achievement would decrease.
catalogued
✗ Incorrect
- "Catalogued" means organized into lists or systematically recorded.
- This doesn't describe a quality of engagement itself but rather a method of documentation.
- Creates no logical relationship with decreased academic achievement.
organized
✗ Incorrect
- "Organized" suggests structure and systematic arrangement.
- Like supervision, organization is typically positive in educational settings.
- Doesn't create the needed contrast with fostered/facilitated.