The following text is from the 1989 novel The Ancient Child by Kiowa writer N. Scott Momaday. The main character...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The following text is from the 1989 novel The Ancient Child by Kiowa writer N. Scott Momaday. The main character has achieved tremendous commercial success as a painter.
More and more often he was asked to compromise his art or himself in one way or another, and more often than not he did so, for he was inclined to be passive and naïve; it was difficult for him to say no. Those who exhibited his work, who praised and purchased it, and who demanded its proliferation began to determine it.
©1989 by N. Scott Momaday
As used in the text, what does the word 'determine' most nearly mean?
Conclude
Dictate
Evaluate
Select
Looking at this Words in Context question, I need to understand exactly what "determine" means in this specific passage context. Let me work through this systematically.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "More and more often he was asked to compromise his art or himself in one way or another," |
|
| "and more often than not he did so," |
|
| "for he was inclined to be passive and naïve;" |
|
| "it was difficult for him to say no." |
|
| "Those who exhibited his work, who praised and purchased it, and who demanded its proliferation" |
|
| "began to determine it." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: A successful but passive painter gradually lost creative control as art world figures began to dictate the direction of his work.
Argument Flow: The passage explains how the painter's passive nature made him unable to resist increasing pressure to compromise, which ultimately led to others gaining control over his artistic direction.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? We need to figure out what "determine" means specifically in this context - when art world people "began to determine" the painter's work.
What type of answer do we need? The meaning that fits best with how the word is used in this particular situation.
Any limiting keywords? The question asks for the meaning that fits best with how the word is used in this particular context.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Looking at our analysis, the artist is passive and can't say no to pressure
- The art world people (exhibitors, buyers, etc.) are making demands, and because he gives in, they "began to determine" his work
- In this context, "determine" suggests they started to control or have power over what his art would become
- The right answer should capture this idea of external control or influence over the direction of his artistic work
- So the right answer should mean something like "control" or "dictate the direction of"
Conclude
✗ Incorrect
- This would mean the art world people "began to conclude it" - which doesn't make sense
- "Conclude" means to end something or reach a decision, but the context shows ongoing influence over the work's direction
Dictate
✓ Correct
- This perfectly captures the meaning - they began to dictate or control what his art would be
- Fits the context where external pressure from passive artist leads to others having power over his creative decisions
- What trap this represents: Students might miss this if they think "dictate" only means "speak aloud" rather than "control/command"
Evaluate
✗ Incorrect
- This would mean they "began to evaluate it" - just judging or assessing the work
- But the context shows they're influencing the creation itself, not just judging finished pieces
Select
✗ Incorrect
- This would mean they "began to select it" - choosing from existing options
- The context suggests they're shaping what gets created, not just picking from what already exists