The following text is adapted from a 1962 memoir by astronaut John Glenn describing his preparation for America's first orbital...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
The following text is adapted from a 1962 memoir by astronaut John Glenn describing his preparation for America's first orbital spaceflight.
The months of intensive training at NASA had prepared me thoroughly for the technical aspects of orbital flight. Mission engineers had reviewed every system and procedure until they became second nature. As launch day approached, this foundation of preparation enabled me to focus on the broader significance of the mission—not just as a personal achievement, but as a crucial step in America's exploration of space and our competition with the Soviet Union in the broader context of the Cold War.
What is the main idea of the text?
Glenn's technical training was insufficient for the complexity of orbital spaceflight.
Glenn's preparation allowed him to appreciate the mission's larger historical significance.
Glenn was primarily motivated by the desire to surpass Soviet space achievements.
Glenn's engineers were more focused on technical details than strategic importance.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| The months of intensive training at NASA had prepared me thoroughly for the technical aspects of orbital flight. |
|
| Mission engineers had reviewed every system and procedure until they became second nature. |
|
| As launch day approached, this foundation of preparation enabled me to focus on the broader significance of the mission—not just as a personal achievement, but as a crucial step in America's exploration of space and our competition with the Soviet Union in the broader context of the Cold War. |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Glenn's thorough technical preparation allowed him to appreciate the mission's broader historical and strategic significance beyond just personal achievement.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes Glenn's comprehensive technical training, then shows how this solid foundation freed him to focus on the mission's larger meaning in terms of American space exploration and Cold War competition.
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
- The passage shows a clear progression: Glenn had thorough technical preparation, which then allowed him to step back and see the bigger picture
- The key insight is that his solid foundation in technical aspects freed him to appreciate the mission's broader significance for America's space program and Cold War context
- The right answer should capture this relationship between preparation and the ability to see beyond personal achievement to historical importance
Glenn's technical training was insufficient for the complexity of orbital spaceflight.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims training was insufficient for the complexity of the flight
- Directly contradicts the passage, which states he was prepared thoroughly
- What trap this represents: Misreading focus on broader significance as meaning technical prep was lacking
Glenn's preparation allowed him to appreciate the mission's larger historical significance.
✓ Correct
- Captures the exact progression the passage describes: preparation enabled ability to appreciate larger significance
- Matches our prethinking about the relationship between solid foundation and broader perspective
Glenn was primarily motivated by the desire to surpass Soviet space achievements.
✗ Incorrect
- Says he was primarily motivated by competition with Soviets
- The Soviet competition is mentioned as context, but motivation isn't the main focus
- Misses the key point about how preparation enabled broader perspective
Glenn's engineers were more focused on technical details than strategic importance.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims engineers were more focused on technical details than strategic importance
- Passage doesn't compare what engineers focused on versus strategic importance
- Misrepresents the relationship