The museum's decision to display rare manuscripts under standard lighting conditions proved ______ as several priceless documents suffered significant...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The museum's decision to display rare manuscripts under standard lighting conditions proved ______ as several priceless documents suffered significant fading within just six months of exhibition.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
prescient
cautious
progressive
detrimental
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The museum's decision to display rare manuscripts under standard lighting conditions proved" |
|
| [MISSING WORD] |
|
| "as several priceless documents suffered significant fading within just six months of exhibition." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The museum's lighting decision had negative consequences for the manuscripts.
Argument Flow: The passage presents a cause-and-effect relationship where the museum made a lighting choice, and we need to evaluate that choice based on the damaging results that followed.
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 missing word needs to evaluate the museum's decision based on the consequences that followed
- Since the manuscripts suffered "significant fading" - clearly a bad outcome - the decision should be characterized as harmful or damaging
prescient
"Prescient" means having foresight or being able to predict future events accurately.
- This doesn't fit because a prescient decision would be wise and forward-looking, but the decision actually caused damage
- ✗ Incorrect
cautious
"Cautious" means careful and prudent, avoiding risks.
- This contradicts the evidence since a truly cautious approach would have protected the manuscripts from fading
- ✗ Incorrect
progressive
"Progressive" means forward-thinking or using advanced methods.
- While standard lighting might seem modern, the negative results show this wasn't a positive development
- ✗ Incorrect
detrimental
"Detrimental" means harmful or damaging.
- This perfectly matches the evidence - the decision caused "significant fading" to "priceless documents"
- ✓ Correct