The following text is adapted from Guy de Maupassant's nineteenth-century short story 'The Trip of Le Horla' (translated by Albert...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
The following text is adapted from Guy de Maupassant's nineteenth-century short story 'The Trip of Le Horla' (translated by Albert M. C. McMaster, A. E. Henderson, Mme. Quesada, et al.). The narrator is part of a group traveling in a hot-air balloon at night.
The earth no longer seems to exist, it is buried in milky vapors that resemble a sea. We are now alone in space with the moon, which looks like another balloon travelling opposite us; and our balloon, which shines in the air, appears like another, larger moon, a world wandering in the sky amid the stars, through infinity. We no longer speak, think nor live; we float along through space in delicious inertia. The air which is bearing us up has made of us all beings which resemble itself, silent, joyous, irresponsible beings, peculiarly alert, although motionless.
Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
The narrator feels a growing sense of isolation even though his companions are nearby during the balloon ride.
The narrator and his companions are completely absorbed in the change in perspective they gain while riding in the balloon.
The narrator and his companions are troubled by the disorienting effects of the altitude while riding in the balloon.
The narrator is pleasantly surprised by his companions' unrestrained enthusiasm about the sensation of riding in the balloon.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The earth no longer seems to exist, it is buried in milky vapors that resemble a sea." |
|
| "We are now alone in space with the moon, which looks like another balloon travelling opposite us; and our balloon, which shines in the air, appears like another, larger moon, a world wandering in the sky amid the stars, through infinity." |
|
| "We no longer speak, think nor live; we float along through space in delicious inertia." |
|
| "The air which is bearing us up has made of us all beings which resemble itself, silent, joyous, irresponsible beings, peculiarly alert, although motionless." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The balloon ride creates such a dramatic shift in perspective that the narrator and his companions become completely absorbed in the experience, losing their normal human consciousness and becoming one with their aerial environment.
Argument Flow: The passage moves from describing the physical transformation of their view (earth disappearing) to their new celestial perspective, then reveals how this affects them mentally and emotionally, culminating in the idea that they have been transformed by the very air that carries them.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The question asks us to identify the main idea of the passage. This means finding the central focus or message that unifies the entire text.
What type of answer do we need? Main Point or Purpose question about the entire passage
Any limiting keywords? None specified
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The right answer should capture how the balloon ride creates such an overwhelming shift in perspective that the passengers become completely absorbed in and transformed by the experience
- Key elements should include the dramatic change in perspective
- Key elements should include how this experience completely absorbs the passengers
- Key elements should include the psychological transformation they undergo
- Key elements should include the sense of becoming one with their environment
The narrator feels a growing sense of isolation even though his companions are nearby during the balloon ride.
- Claims the narrator feels growing isolation despite nearby companions
- The passage shows they are unified in their transformation, not isolated from each other
The narrator and his companions are completely absorbed in the change in perspective they gain while riding in the balloon.
- Perfectly captures the complete absorption described in the passage
- Matches how the perspective shift transforms them mentally and emotionally
- Aligns with our prethinking about the overwhelming nature of the experience
The narrator and his companions are troubled by the disorienting effects of the altitude while riding in the balloon.
- Suggests they are troubled and disoriented by the altitude
- The passage describes their state as delicious inertia and joyous, which are clearly positive emotions
The narrator is pleasantly surprised by his companions' unrestrained enthusiasm about the sensation of riding in the balloon.
- Focuses on the narrator being surprised by companions enthusiasm
- The passage does not emphasize surprise or focus specifically on companions reactions
- Misses the main point about shared transformation