While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:The city of Portland implemented a new mixed-use zoning designation...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- The city of Portland implemented a new mixed-use zoning designation called 'Neighborhood Commercial 2' (NC-2) in 2018.
- Mixed-use zoning allows buildings to combine residential and commercial functions within the same structure.
- This zoning type promotes walkable neighborhoods by reducing travel distances between homes and services.
- The NC-2 designation specifically permits ground-floor retail with apartments above.
- Buildings under this designation must maintain height limits of four stories maximum.
- The implementation covers three pilot neighborhoods: Sellwood, Hawthorne, and Division.
The student wants to explain how Portland's NC-2 designation was implemented to an audience already familiar with mixed-use zoning principles. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Portland's NC-2 designation allows ground-floor retail with apartments above, maintaining four-story height limits across three pilot neighborhoods: Sellwood, Hawthorne, and Division.
Implemented in 2018, Portland's NC-2 is a mixed-use designation that combines residential and commercial functions to promote walkable neighborhoods.
Portland's 2018 NC-2 designation permits ground-floor retail with apartments above, subject to four-story height limits, and was implemented across Sellwood, Hawthorne, and Division neighborhoods.
Mixed-use zoning, such as Portland's NC-2 designation, combines residential and commercial functions within the same structure to promote walkable neighborhoods.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'The city of Portland implemented a new mixed-use zoning designation called 'Neighborhood Commercial 2' (NC-2) in 2018.' |
|
| 'Mixed-use zoning allows buildings to combine residential and commercial functions within the same structure.' |
|
| 'This zoning type promotes walkable neighborhoods by reducing travel distances between homes and services.' |
|
| 'The NC-2 designation specifically permits ground-floor retail with apartments above.' |
|
| 'Buildings under this designation must maintain height limits of four stories maximum.' |
|
| 'The implementation covers three pilot neighborhoods: Sellwood, Hawthorne, and Division.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Portland implemented a specific mixed-use zoning designation (NC-2) with particular requirements and tested it in three neighborhoods.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The student wants to explain how Portland's NC-2 designation was implemented to an audience already familiar with mixed-use zoning principles.
What type of answer do we need? A statement that focuses on Portland's specific implementation details rather than general mixed-use concepts.
Any limiting keywords? 'Already familiar with mixed-use zoning principles' is crucial—this means we should skip the general explanations and focus on Portland's specific approach.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Since the audience already understands mixed-use zoning principles, the correct answer should focus on Portland's specific implementation rather than explaining what mixed-use zoning is
- The answer should include concrete details about how Portland's NC-2 works—what it permits, any restrictions, and where it was implemented
Portland's NC-2 designation allows ground-floor retail with apartments above, maintaining four-story height limits across three pilot neighborhoods: Sellwood, Hawthorne, and Division.
✗ Incorrect
- Includes implementation specifics but missing the year (2018) which is an important implementation detail
Implemented in 2018, Portland's NC-2 is a mixed-use designation that combines residential and commercial functions to promote walkable neighborhoods.
✗ Incorrect
- Mentions the year (2018) but then explains basic mixed-use concepts that the audience already knows
- Doesn't include specific implementation details like height limits
Portland's 2018 NC-2 designation permits ground-floor retail with apartments above, subject to four-story height limits, and was implemented across Sellwood, Hawthorne, and Division neighborhoods.
✓ Correct
- Includes the year (2018), what NC-2 permits, height restrictions, and implementation locations
- Focuses entirely on Portland's specific implementation without explaining general principles
Mixed-use zoning, such as Portland's NC-2 designation, combines residential and commercial functions within the same structure to promote walkable neighborhoods.
✗ Incorrect
- Spends most space explaining what mixed-use zoning is generally rather than focusing on Portland's implementation