The Riverside School District has been evaluating different approaches to improve student mathematics performance. Recent standardized test scores sho...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
The Riverside School District has been evaluating different approaches to improve student mathematics performance. Recent standardized test scores show that schools emphasizing conceptual understanding achieve \(72\%\) proficiency rates, while schools focusing on computational fluency achieve \(69\%\) proficiency rates. Additionally, schools that provide extensive one-on-one tutoring report \(71\%\) proficiency, and schools with enhanced technology integration achieve \(70\%\) proficiency. However, Lincoln Elementary, which combines all four approaches, consistently achieves \(89\%\) mathematics proficiency. This pattern suggests that _____
Which choice most logically completes the text?
conceptual understanding is the most important factor in mathematics achievement.
standardized test scores accurately reflect the effectiveness of different teaching methods.
successful mathematics instruction requires multiple complementary approaches working together.
schools should focus resources on the single most effective instructional method.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'The Riverside School District has been evaluating different approaches to improve student mathematics performance.' |
|
| 'Recent standardized test scores show that schools emphasizing conceptual understanding achieve 72% proficiency rates, while schools focusing on computational fluency achieve 69% proficiency rates.' |
|
| 'Additionally, schools that provide extensive one-on-one tutoring report 71% proficiency, and schools with enhanced technology integration achieve 70% proficiency.' |
|
| 'However, Lincoln Elementary, which combines all four approaches, consistently achieves 89% mathematics proficiency.' |
|
| 'This pattern suggests that ______' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Schools using multiple teaching approaches together achieve significantly better results than schools using individual approaches alone.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes a comparison framework by showing how four different individual teaching approaches perform at similar, moderate levels (69-72%). It then contrasts this with Lincoln Elementary's dramatically superior performance (89%) when combining all four approaches, creating a clear pattern that suggests synergy between multiple methods.
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 pattern clearly shows that individual approaches (whether conceptual understanding, computational fluency, tutoring, or technology) all produce similar, moderate results around 69-72%
- But when Lincoln Elementary combines all four approaches, the result jumps dramatically to 89%
- This suggests that these different teaching methods work better together than separately - they complement and reinforce each other rather than just adding up
- The right answer should explain that combining multiple approaches creates a synergistic effect that's more powerful than using any single method alone
conceptual understanding is the most important factor in mathematics achievement.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims conceptual understanding is most important
- Contradicts the evidence - conceptual understanding alone only achieved 72%, while Lincoln's combination achieved 89%
standardized test scores accurately reflect the effectiveness of different teaching methods.
✗ Incorrect
- Makes a claim about test score accuracy
- Doesn't address the pattern at all - the passage isn't questioning whether the scores are accurate
successful mathematics instruction requires multiple complementary approaches working together.
✓ Correct
- Explains that successful instruction requires multiple approaches working together
- Perfectly matches our prethinking about synergy between methods
- Directly explains why Lincoln Elementary (combining all approaches) significantly outperformed schools using individual approaches
schools should focus resources on the single most effective instructional method.
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests focusing on one single method
- Directly contradicts the evidence - the pattern shows single methods are less effective than combination