The artisans of the Igun Eronmwon guild in Benin City, Nigeria, typically ________ the bronze- and brass-casting techniques that have...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The artisans of the Igun Eronmwon guild in Benin City, Nigeria, typically ________ the bronze- and brass-casting techniques that have been passed down through their families since the thirteenth century, but they don't strictly observe every tradition; for example, guild members now use air-conditioning motors instead of handheld bellows to help heat their forges.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
experiment with
adhere to
improve on
grapple with
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'The artisans of the Igun Eronmwon guild in Benin City, Nigeria, typically' |
|
| '[MISSING WORD/PHRASE]' |
|
| 'the bronze- and brass-casting techniques that have been passed down through their families since the thirteenth century,' |
|
| 'but they don't strictly observe every tradition;' |
|
| 'for example, guild members now use air-conditioning motors instead of handheld bellows to help heat their forges.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The artisans of the Igun Eronmwon guild generally maintain their traditional bronze and brass-casting techniques while selectively adopting modern innovations.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes that these Nigerian artisans have a particular relationship with traditional techniques passed down for centuries, then contrasts this by showing they're flexible about traditions, providing a specific example of how they've modernized their equipment while maintaining the core craft.
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 describe what the artisans typically do with these centuries-old techniques
- The key insight comes from the contrast word 'but' - they do something with the traditional techniques, BUT they don't strictly observe every tradition
- This suggests they generally follow or maintain the techniques while allowing for some flexibility and modernization
experiment with
- This would mean they test or try different approaches with the techniques
- This doesn't create the right contrast - if they're experimenting, that would align with not strictly observing tradition rather than contrast with it
adhere to
- This means they follow, stick to, or maintain the traditional techniques
- Creates the perfect contrast: they adhere to (follow) the traditional methods BUT don't strictly observe every single tradition
- The example supports this - they keep the essential casting techniques while updating equipment
improve on
- This would mean they make the techniques better or enhance them
- Doesn't create the logical contrast needed - improving would align with modernization, not contrast with it
grapple with
- This means they struggle with or have difficulty handling the techniques
- Makes no logical sense - why would artisans who've maintained these techniques for centuries suddenly be struggling with them?