The origins of the Montessori educational method have generated scholarly debate for decades. Dr. Maria Montessori developed her approach while...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
The origins of the Montessori educational method have generated scholarly debate for decades. Dr. Maria Montessori developed her approach while working with children in Rome in the early 1900s, but several educational theorists have claimed that key components of the method existed in their work before Montessori's publications. Friedrich Froebel, who created the kindergarten concept in Germany during the 1840s, emphasized child-centered learning and hands-on materials. Johann Pestalozzi, working in Switzerland in the late 1700s, advocated for individualized instruction and sensory-based education. Jean-Jacques Rousseau had written about natural learning environments and child development in France even earlier. However, comprehensive documentation connecting these earlier theorists' specific practices to Montessori's systematic approach remains incomplete. Scholars studying the historical record have found that _______
Which choice most logically completes the text?
we cannot definitively establish which earlier theorist most influenced Montessori's method.
Montessori's method was entirely original and owed nothing to previous educational theorists.
Friedrich Froebel's kindergarten concept was the primary source of Montessori's approach.
the Montessori method must have been developed before the early 1900s.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'The origins of the Montessori educational method have generated scholarly debate for decades.' |
|
| 'Dr. Maria Montessori developed her approach while working with children in Rome in the early 1900s, but several educational theorists have claimed that key components of the method existed in their work before Montessori's publications.' |
|
| 'Friedrich Froebel, who created the kindergarten concept in Germany during the 1840s, emphasized child-centered learning and hands-on materials.' |
|
| 'Johann Pestalozzi, working in Switzerland in the late 1700s, advocated for individualized instruction and sensory-based education.' |
|
| 'Jean-Jacques Rousseau had written about natural learning environments and child development in France even earlier.' |
|
| 'However, comprehensive documentation connecting these earlier theorists' specific practices to Montessori's systematic approach remains incomplete.' |
|
Main Point and Architecture
Main Point: The historical origins of the Montessori method are debated because while earlier theorists had similar educational ideas, scholars lack complete documentation to definitively establish the connections.
Argument Flow: The passage introduces a scholarly debate about Montessori's educational method, presents evidence that earlier theorists had similar ideas, but then reveals a crucial limitation - incomplete documentation - which affects what scholars can definitively conclude about these connections.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? We need to complete the text with what scholars have found when studying the historical record.
What type of answer do we need? A logical conclusion that follows from the information presented, especially considering the limitation about incomplete documentation.
Any limiting keywords? The phrase 'most logically completes' tells us we need the choice that follows most naturally from the passage's logic.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The passage builds up evidence that earlier theorists had similar ideas to Montessori
- Then gives us crucial information: comprehensive documentation connecting these earlier theorists' specific practices to Montessori's systematic approach remains incomplete
- This incomplete documentation would logically lead scholars to conclude that they cannot make definitive determinations about influences or connections
- The right answer should reflect this uncertainty or inability to make definitive claims about the relationships between earlier theorists and Montessori
we cannot definitively establish which earlier theorist most influenced Montessori's method.
✓ Correct
- This directly follows from the passage's logic about incomplete documentation
- If documentation is incomplete, scholars cannot definitively establish which theorist most influenced Montessori
- Uses the key word 'definitively' which aligns with the passage's emphasis on incomplete evidence
Montessori's method was entirely original and owed nothing to previous educational theorists.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims Montessori's method was 'entirely original' and 'owed nothing' to previous theorists
- Contradicts the passage, which acknowledges that earlier theorists had similar key components
- Too extreme given that the passage does show similarities existed
Friedrich Froebel's kindergarten concept was the primary source of Montessori's approach.
✗ Incorrect
- Makes a specific claim that Froebel was the 'primary source'
- Goes against the passage's main point about incomplete documentation - scholars cannot make such definitive determinations
the Montessori method must have been developed before the early 1900s.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims the Montessori method was developed before the early 1900s
- Directly contradicts the passage, which clearly states Montessori developed her approach 'in the early 1900s'