Text 1The antiseptic properties of carbolic acid were first demonstrated by British surgeon Joseph Lister in the 1860s. He published...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Text 1
The antiseptic properties of carbolic acid were first demonstrated by British surgeon Joseph Lister in the 1860s. He published compelling evidence that carbolic acid dramatically reduced post-surgical infections when used to sterilize instruments and wound sites. However, many established surgeons were skeptical of Lister's methods, viewing them as unnecessarily complicated and time-consuming. Consequently, antiseptic surgery remained confined to a small circle of progressive practitioners for nearly two decades.
Text 2
The slow acceptance of Lister's antiseptic techniques stemmed largely from the medical profession's resistance to change. At the time, the dominant medical theory held that infections were caused by 'miasma' or bad air, not by invisible microorganisms. Without widespread acceptance of germ theory, most physicians saw no compelling reason to adopt Lister's elaborate sterilization procedures. Only after Pasteur's work gained broader recognition in the 1880s did antiseptic surgery become standard practice.
Based on the texts, the author of Text 1 and the author of Text 2 would most likely agree with which statement?
Most surgical infections in the 1860s were caused by contaminated air rather than poor sterilization.
Antiseptic surgical techniques did not gain widespread acceptance until long after Lister first introduced them.
The majority of surgeons in the 1860s lacked the technical skill to implement Lister's methods properly.
Carbolic acid was the most effective antiseptic available to surgeons throughout the nineteenth century.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'The antiseptic properties of carbolic acid were first demonstrated by British surgeon Joseph Lister in the 1860s.' |
|
| 'He published compelling evidence that carbolic acid dramatically reduced post-surgical infections when used to sterilize instruments and wound sites.' |
|
| 'However, many established surgeons were skeptical of Lister's methods, viewing them as unnecessarily complicated and time-consuming.' |
|
| 'Consequently, antiseptic surgery remained confined to a small circle of progressive practitioners for nearly two decades.' |
|
| 'The slow acceptance of Lister's antiseptic techniques stemmed largely from the medical profession's resistance to change.' |
|
| 'At the time, the dominant medical theory held that infections were caused by 'miasma' or bad air, not by invisible microorganisms.' |
|
| 'Without widespread acceptance of germ theory, most physicians saw no compelling reason to adopt Lister's elaborate sterilization procedures.' |
|
| 'Only after Pasteur's work gained broader recognition in the 1880s did antiseptic surgery become standard practice.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Both texts explain why Lister's proven antiseptic techniques took nearly two decades to gain widespread acceptance.
Argument Flow: Text 1 establishes that despite compelling evidence in the 1860s, methods faced skepticism and remained limited for twenty years. Text 2 explains this delay through resistance to change and adherence to miasma theory, noting acceptance came in the 1880s after Pasteur's work.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Identify a statement both authors would agree with.
What type of answer do we need? A point of agreement between the two texts.
Any limiting keywords? 'Most likely agree' means both texts must clearly support the statement.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Both texts focus on the same timeline: Lister introduced techniques in the 1860s, but widespread adoption didn't occur until much later
- Text 1 states antiseptic surgery 'remained confined to a small circle of progressive practitioners for nearly two decades'
- Text 2 confirms 'only after Pasteur's work gained broader recognition in the 1880s did antiseptic surgery become standard practice'
- The right answer should acknowledge the significant time gap between Lister's introduction and widespread acceptance
Most surgical infections in the 1860s were caused by contaminated air rather than poor sterilization.
✗ Incorrect
- Only Text 2 discusses miasma theory
- Text 1 doesn't address infection causes
Antiseptic surgical techniques did not gain widespread acceptance until long after Lister first introduced them.
✓ Correct
- Both texts support this timeline
- Text 1 mentions 'nearly two decades' of limited use
- Text 2 confirms standard practice only came in the 1880s
The majority of surgeons in the 1860s lacked the technical skill to implement Lister's methods properly.
✗ Incorrect
- Neither text suggests skill deficiency
- Text 1 mentions complexity concerns
- Text 2 focuses on theoretical beliefs
Carbolic acid was the most effective antiseptic available to surgeons throughout the nineteenth century.
✗ Incorrect
- Neither text makes comparative claims about different antiseptics