While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:The Freedom Riders were civil rights activists who rode interstate...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- The Freedom Riders were civil rights activists who rode interstate buses into the segregated Southern United States in 1961.
- They challenged the non-enforcement of Supreme Court decisions that declared segregated public buses unconstitutional.
- The first Freedom Ride departed from Washington, D.C., on May 4, 1961, with thirteen riders.
- The group included both Black and white activists who deliberately sat in integrated seating arrangements.
- White riders sat in the back sections designated for Black passengers, while Black riders sat in front sections designated for whites.
- Their actions were designed to provoke arrests and draw national attention to segregation enforcement.
The student wants to describe the seating strategy used by the Freedom Riders. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
The Freedom Riders challenged non-enforcement of Supreme Court decisions by riding interstate buses in 1961.
Departing from Washington, D.C., on May 4, 1961, the first Freedom Ride included thirteen activists who sought to draw national attention.
White riders sat in back sections designated for Black passengers, while Black riders sat in front sections designated for whites.
The Freedom Riders included both Black and white activists who deliberately chose integrated seating arrangements to provoke arrests.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'The Freedom Riders were civil rights activists who rode interstate buses into the segregated Southern United States in 1961.' |
|
| 'They challenged the non-enforcement of Supreme Court decisions that declared segregated public buses unconstitutional.' |
|
| 'The first Freedom Ride departed from Washington, D.C., on May 4, 1961, with thirteen riders.' |
|
| 'The group included both Black and white activists who deliberately sat in integrated seating arrangements.' |
|
| 'White riders sat in the back sections designated for Black passengers, while Black riders sat in front sections designated for whites.' |
|
| 'Their actions were designed to provoke arrests and draw national attention to segregation enforcement.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The Freedom Riders used deliberate seating arrangements that reversed segregation patterns to challenge bus segregation and draw attention to civil rights violations.
Argument Flow: The notes establish the Freedom Riders' identity and mission, then provide specific details about their first ride and composition. The key tactical information describes how they deliberately reversed segregated seating arrangements, with the ultimate goal of provoking confrontation to highlight the segregation issue.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which choice best describes the seating strategy
What type of answer do we need? Information that specifically explains HOW they arranged themselves on the buses
Any limiting keywords? 'seating strategy' - this narrows our focus to the tactical seating arrangements, not their broader goals or activities
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The right answer should focus specifically on the seating strategy - how the Freedom Riders arranged themselves on the buses
- From our analysis, we know they used a deliberate reversal strategy: white riders sat in sections designated for Black passengers, and Black riders sat in sections designated for white passengers
- This was their specific tactical approach
- The right answer should include the concrete details of their seating arrangement rather than general information about their goals or background
The Freedom Riders challenged non-enforcement of Supreme Court decisions by riding interstate buses in 1961.
- Focuses on challenging non-enforcement of Supreme Court decisions
- This describes their overall mission, not their seating strategy
- Doesn't tell us anything about HOW they arranged themselves on the buses
Departing from Washington, D.C., on May 4, 1961, the first Freedom Ride included thirteen activists who sought to draw national attention.
- Provides logistical details (departure, date, number of riders) and general goal
- This gives background information but no details about seating arrangements
White riders sat in back sections designated for Black passengers, while Black riders sat in front sections designated for whites.
- Directly describes the specific seating arrangement: whites in back sections (designated for Black passengers), Blacks in front sections (designated for whites)
- This is exactly the tactical detail that explains their seating strategy
The Freedom Riders included both Black and white activists who deliberately chose integrated seating arrangements to provoke arrests.
- Mentions 'integrated seating arrangements' but doesn't specify what this means
- States their goal (provoking arrests) but doesn't describe the actual strategy
- Too general - doesn't give the concrete details of their seating positions