The Appalachian Trail is a hiking path in the eastern United States. Much of the 2,000 mile trail passes through...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The Appalachian Trail is a hiking path in the eastern United States. Much of the 2,000 mile trail passes through wilderness areas. In order to _______ those areas, the United States Congress passed the National Trails System Act in 1968, ensuring that the trail would not be sold or commercially developed.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'The Appalachian Trail is a hiking path in the eastern United States.' |
|
| 'Much of the 2,000 mile trail passes through wilderness areas.' |
|
| 'In order to _______ those areas,' |
|
| 'the United States Congress passed the National Trails System Act in 1968,' |
|
| 'ensuring that the trail would not be sold or commercially developed.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Congress passed an act in 1968 to prevent the Appalachian Trail's wilderness areas from being sold or developed.
Argument Flow: The passage introduces the Appalachian Trail, notes it passes through wilderness areas, then explains that Congress took action through legislation to ensure these areas wouldn't be commercially exploited.
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
- Looking at the blank, we need a word that explains WHY Congress passed the act
- The context shows: Trail passes through wilderness areas, Congress passed an act 'in order to _______ those areas', The act ensured areas wouldn't be sold or developed
- So the missing word must describe Congress's intention regarding the wilderness areas
- Given that the result was preventing sale/development, the word should mean something like 'safeguard,' 'preserve,' or 'shield from harm'
- 'Borrow' means to take temporarily with intent to return
- Makes no logical sense - you can't borrow land areas, and this doesn't connect to preventing sale/development
- 'Postpone' means to delay or put off
- Doesn't work logically - Congress wasn't trying to delay the wilderness areas, and this doesn't explain why they'd prevent selling
- 'Protect' means to keep safe from harm or danger
- Perfect logical fit - Congress wanted to protect wilderness areas from commercial exploitation
- Directly connects to the result: preventing sale and development protects natural areas
- 'Decorate' means to make something look more attractive
- Completely illogical - Congress doesn't pass acts to decorate wilderness areas, and this has nothing to do with preventing sales