Studies show that students retain information more effectively when they can connect new concepts to their existing knowledge and experiences....
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Studies show that students retain information more effectively when they can connect new concepts to their existing knowledge and experiences. Dr. Sarah Chen designs her introductory psychology course to include frequent real-world examples and case studies that relate to her students' daily lives. Although preparing these personalized materials requires extensive research and planning, Dr. Chen believes this approach is essential because _____
Which choice most logically completes the text?
psychology textbooks are generally too expensive for most students to purchase.
real-world examples prevent students from becoming bored during lectures.
connecting new information to familiar experiences enhances learning and retention.
other psychology professors use more traditional teaching methods.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Studies show that students retain information more effectively when they can connect new concepts to their existing knowledge and experiences." |
|
| "Dr. Sarah Chen designs her introductory psychology course to include frequent real-world examples and case studies that relate to her students' daily lives." |
|
| "Although preparing these personalized materials requires extensive research and planning, Dr. Chen believes this approach is essential because _____" |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Chen puts extra effort into personalizing her course materials because she believes in the research showing that connecting new information to familiar experiences improves learning.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes a research finding about effective learning, shows how one professor applies this principle, then seeks the logical reason why she believes this extra effort is worthwhile.
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 passage opens with research showing students learn better when new concepts connect to familiar experiences
- Then we see Chen applying this exact principle by using real-world examples
- The blank asks why Chen believes this approach is essential despite the extra work required
- The logical connection is clear: Chen believes this approach works because it follows the research finding
- The right answer should reflect the principle established at the beginning - that connecting new concepts to familiar experiences enhances learning effectiveness
psychology textbooks are generally too expensive for most students to purchase.
- This focuses on textbook costs, which isn't mentioned anywhere in the passage
- Chen's motivation is about teaching effectiveness, not financial concerns for students
real-world examples prevent students from becoming bored during lectures.
- While preventing boredom might be a side effect of engaging examples, this misses the main point
- The passage emphasizes learning and retention, not entertainment value
connecting new information to familiar experiences enhances learning and retention.
- This directly mirrors the research finding stated in the opening sentence
- Creates perfect logical flow: research shows X works, Chen applies X, Chen believes in X because it works
other psychology professors use more traditional teaching methods.
- What other professors do is irrelevant to Chen's personal motivation
- Doesn't explain why Chen believes her approach is essential