The era of DNA structure discovery in the 1950s produced several groundbreaking scientists, but Rosalind Franklin's contributions to understanding the...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
The era of DNA structure discovery in the 1950s produced several groundbreaking scientists, but Rosalind Franklin's contributions to understanding the double helix remain underrecognized compared to those of her male colleagues. Franklin's X-ray crystallography work provided crucial evidence for the helical structure of DNA, yet her role is often minimized in popular accounts of the discovery. This oversight stems largely from the Nobel Prize recognition given to James Watson, Francis Crick, and Maurice Wilkins in 1962, whose fame has dominated public understanding of DNA research, leaving Franklin's essential contributions in the shadows.
Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
Franklin's X-ray crystallography techniques were more advanced than those used by Watson, Crick, and Wilkins.
Franklin's crucial contributions to DNA structure research remain underrecognized because Watson, Crick, and Wilkins received more prominent acknowledgment.
The 1962 Nobel Prize should have been awarded to Franklin instead of Watson, Crick, and Wilkins.
Franklin produced more significant research findings than other scientists studying DNA structure in the 1950s.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| The era of DNA structure discovery in the 1950s produced several groundbreaking scientists, but Rosalind Franklin's contributions to understanding the double helix remain underrecognized compared to those of her male colleagues. |
|
| Franklin's X-ray crystallography work provided crucial evidence for the helical structure of DNA, yet her role is often minimized in popular accounts of the discovery. |
|
| This oversight stems largely from the Nobel Prize recognition given to James Watson, Francis Crick, and Maurice Wilkins in 1962, whose fame has dominated public understanding of DNA research, leaving Franklin's essential contributions in the shadows. |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Rosalind Franklin's crucial contributions to DNA structure research remain underrecognized because the Nobel Prize recognition given to Watson, Crick, and Wilkins has dominated public understanding.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes that while the 1950s produced many groundbreaking DNA scientists, Franklin's contributions are underrecognized compared to her male colleagues. It then provides evidence of Franklin's crucial X-ray crystallography work while noting her role is minimized in popular accounts. Finally, it explains this oversight by pointing to the Nobel Prize recognition that made Watson, Crick, and Wilkins famous and overshadowed Franklin's essential contributions.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The main idea of the entire text
What type of answer do we need? A statement that captures the central message/thesis
Any limiting keywords? main idea - we need the overarching point, not a supporting detail
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The right answer must capture that Franklin made crucial contributions to DNA research that are underrecognized
- It should also explain why this underrecognition exists - because other scientists received more prominent acknowledgment through the Nobel Prize
- The answer should not make claims not in the passage
Franklin's X-ray crystallography techniques were more advanced than those used by Watson, Crick, and Wilkins.
✗ Incorrect - Claims Franklin's techniques were more advanced than others
- The passage never compares the quality or advancement of techniques
Franklin's crucial contributions to DNA structure research remain underrecognized because Watson, Crick, and Wilkins received more prominent acknowledgment.
✓ Correct - States Franklin's crucial contributions remain underrecognized because others received more prominent acknowledgment
- Perfectly matches our passage analysis
The 1962 Nobel Prize should have been awarded to Franklin instead of Watson, Crick, and Wilkins.
✗ Incorrect - Claims the Nobel Prize should have gone to Franklin instead
- The passage never argues who deserved the prize
Franklin produced more significant research findings than other scientists studying DNA structure in the 1950s.
✗ Incorrect - Claims Franklin produced more significant findings than others
- The passage does not compare the significance of different scientists' findings