The following text is adapted from a 2021 report on urban development. City planners are discussing changes in a downtown...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The following text is adapted from a 2021 report on urban development. City planners are discussing changes in a downtown district.
The downtown district had suffered from economic decline for years. During recent urban renewal efforts, a vibrant commercial character emerged as the neighborhood assumed its new identity. Longtime residents noticed the significant change throughout the area.
As used in the text, what does the word "assumed" most nearly mean?
Acknowledged
Mimicked
Acquired
Theorized
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The downtown district had suffered from economic decline for years." |
|
| "During recent urban renewal efforts, a vibrant commercial character emerged as the neighborhood assumed its new identity." |
|
| "Longtime residents noticed the significant change throughout the area." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: A downtown district transformed from economic decline to vibrant commercial character through urban renewal efforts.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes the district's troubled past, then describes how urban renewal created a positive transformation with new commercial vibrancy and identity, and concludes by noting that longtime residents observed these significant changes.
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
- Looking at our analysis, the neighborhood went through urban renewal and emerged with "a vibrant commercial character" and "assumed its new identity."
- In this context, "assumed" describes how the neighborhood took on or gained this new identity - it's about acquiring or adopting something new.
- The word suggests the neighborhood embraced or took possession of this new character.
- So the right answer should convey the idea of taking on, acquiring, or adopting something new.
Acknowledged
✗ Incorrect
- This means "recognized" or "admitted"
- Doesn't fit because a neighborhood can't "recognize" its own identity
Mimicked
✗ Incorrect
- This means "copied" or "imitated"
- Doesn't work because the passage describes the neighborhood developing its own new identity, not copying
Acquired
✓ Correct
- This means "gained," "obtained," or "took on"
- Fits perfectly with the context - the neighborhood gained or took on its new vibrant commercial identity
Theorized
✗ Incorrect
- This means "formed a theory" or "speculated"
- Makes no sense in context - neighborhoods don't theorize about identities