The construction of the Millau Viaduct in southern France represents a remarkable engineering achievement. Designed by architect Norman Foster and...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
The construction of the Millau Viaduct in southern France represents a remarkable engineering achievement. Designed by architect Norman Foster and structural engineer Michel Virlogeux, the cable-stayed bridge was completed in 2004 after three years of construction. At 343 meters tall, the viaduct became the world's tallest bridge when it opened. The project required innovative construction techniques to span the Tarn River valley.
According to the text, when did construction of the Millau Viaduct begin?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The construction of the Millau Viaduct in southern France represents a remarkable engineering achievement." |
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| "Designed by architect Norman Foster and structural engineer Michel Virlogeux, the cable-stayed bridge was completed in 2004 after three years of construction." |
|
| "At 343 meters tall, the viaduct became the world's tallest bridge when it opened." |
|
| "The project required innovative construction techniques to span the Tarn River valley." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The Millau Viaduct represents a significant engineering achievement, completed in 2004 as the world's tallest bridge.
Argument Flow: The passage begins by establishing the viaduct as an engineering achievement, then provides essential facts about its designers and completion timeline, adds specific details about its record-breaking height, and concludes with information about the technical challenges involved in its construction.
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
- We need to calculate when construction began
- The passage tells us the bridge was completed in 2004 after three years of construction
- If we work backwards from the completion date, we can determine the start date: \(2004 - 3 = 2001\)
- So the right answer should be 2001, representing the year construction started based on the timeline information provided
- This matches our calculation: \(2004 - 3 = 2001\)
- This is the completion year, not when construction began
- Students might confuse the completion date with the start date
- This year doesn't align with any timeline mentioned in the passage
- This is the height measurement (343 meters), not a year