While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:The djembe is a goblet-shaped drum that originated in West...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- The djembe is a goblet-shaped drum that originated in West Africa around 1200 CE.
- The djembe's wide, rounded head produces deep bass tones when struck in the center.
- The djembe's narrow waist allows for sharp, high-pitched slaps when hit on the rim.
- Mamady Keïta was a renowned djembe master from Guinea.
- His instructional method "A Life for the Djembe" (1999) teaches traditional playing techniques.
The student wants to describe the djembe's structure. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
A djembe is a goblet-shaped drum with a wide, rounded head and narrow waist.
Mamady Keïta's 1999 method "A Life for the Djembe" teaches traditional playing techniques for the West African drum.
Producing both deep bass tones and sharp slaps, the djembe is featured in Mamady Keïta's instructional method.
The djembe's design, a type of drum that originated in West Africa around 1200 CE, allows it to produce both deep bass tones and high-pitched slaps.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The djembe is a goblet-shaped drum that originated in West Africa around 1200 CE." |
|
| "The djembe's wide, rounded head produces deep bass tones when struck in the center." |
|
| "The djembe's narrow waist allows for sharp, high-pitched slaps when hit on the rim." |
|
| "Mamady Keïta was a renowned djembe master from Guinea." |
|
| "His instructional method 'A Life for the Djembe' (1999) teaches traditional playing techniques." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The notes provide both structural information about the djembe (its goblet shape and how different parts produce different sounds) and information about a notable djembe master and his instructional method.
Argument Flow: The notes begin by establishing what a djembe is and where it comes from, then explain how its specific structural features (wide head, narrow waist) produce different types of sounds. The notes then shift to highlight an important figure in djembe tradition and his educational contribution to preserving traditional playing techniques.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The student wants to describe the djembe's structure specifically.
What type of answer do we need? A sentence that focuses on the physical form and structural elements of the djembe.
Any limiting keywords? Yes - "structure" is the key limitation. We need information about the djembe's physical design, not its sounds, origin, or associated people.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The right answer should focus specifically on the djembe's physical structure/form
- Use the structural details from the notes: goblet-shaped, wide rounded head, narrow waist
- Avoid information about sounds, origins, or people since the goal is describing structure specifically
A djembe is a goblet-shaped drum with a wide, rounded head and narrow waist.
✓ Correct
- Uses exactly the structural information from the notes: "goblet-shaped," "wide, rounded head," and "narrow waist"
- Stays completely focused on describing physical structure
- Accomplishes the goal perfectly without including irrelevant information
Mamady Keïta's 1999 method "A Life for the Djembe" teaches traditional playing techniques for the West African drum.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses entirely on Mamady Keïta's instructional method
- Provides no structural description of the djembe itself
- Completely misses the goal of describing structure
Producing both deep bass tones and sharp slaps, the djembe is featured in Mamady Keïta's instructional method.
✗ Incorrect
- Emphasizes the sounds the djembe produces ("deep bass tones and sharp slaps")
- Mentions Keïta's method rather than focusing on structure
- Doesn't describe the physical form at all
The djembe's design, a type of drum that originated in West Africa around 1200 CE, allows it to produce both deep bass tones and high-pitched slaps.
✗ Incorrect
- Includes some structural reference ("design") and sound information
- But dilutes the focus by also including origin information ("originated in West Africa around 1200 CE")
- Less direct and focused than choice A for describing structure specifically