While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:The background colors of US and UK road signs are...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- The background colors of US and UK road signs are used to denote each sign's purpose.
- Directional signs are a type of sign containing information such as route names, distance to a destination, etc.
- Highways, major roadways, and minor roadways in the US generally use green for directional signs.
- Highways in the UK generally use blue for directional signs.
- Major roadways in the UK generally use green for directional signs.
The student wants to contrast how green backgrounds are used in US and UK road signs. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Blue backgrounds are generally used on directional highway signs in the UK, in contrast to the green highway signs used in the US.
In the US, green signs indicate directional information on both highways and major roadways, but in the UK, directional signs of this color generally appear only on major roadways.
Green road signs are used in both the US and UK to denote directional information on major roadways, like distance to a destination or route names.
Both the UK and the US use directional signs, which include information on route names and distance to a destination.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The background colors of US and UK road signs are used to denote each sign's purpose." |
|
| "Directional signs are a type of sign containing information such as route names, distance to a destination, etc." |
|
| "Highways, major roadways, and minor roadways in the US generally use green for directional signs." |
|
| "Highways in the UK generally use blue for directional signs." |
|
| "Major roadways in the UK generally use green for directional signs." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The notes show that while both US and UK use color-coded directional signs, they use green differently - the US uses green across all road types while the UK uses green only on major roadways.
Argument Flow: The notes establish the general principle of color coding, define directional signs, then present specific practices showing that the US uses green universally for directional signs while the UK uses green selectively.
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
- From our analysis, the key contrast about green usage is:
- US uses green on ALL road types (highways, major roads, minor roads) for directional signs
- UK uses green ONLY on major roadways for directional signs (highways use blue)
- The right answer needs to highlight that the US uses green more broadly while the UK uses green more selectively for directional signs.
Blue backgrounds are generally used on directional highway signs in the UK, in contrast to the green highway signs used in the US.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on blue vs green for highways, not contrasting green usage specifically
In the US, green signs indicate directional information on both highways and major roadways, but in the UK, directional signs of this color generally appear only on major roadways.
✓ Correct
- Shows US uses green on "both highways and major roadways" while UK green "generally appear only on major roadways" - directly contrasts green usage as requested
Green road signs are used in both the US and UK to denote directional information on major roadways, like distance to a destination or route names.
✗ Incorrect
- Emphasizes similarities rather than contrasts by saying both countries use green on major roadways
Both the UK and the US use directional signs, which include information on route names and distance to a destination.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on general use of directional signs, not green color contrast