While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:The Royal Alcázar of Seville is a historic royal palace...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- The Royal Alcázar of Seville is a historic royal palace in Andalucía, Spain.
- The palace is famous for its intricate tilework.
- The palace features majolica and arista tiles.
- In the majolica style, designs are painted directly on the ceramic tiles.
- In the arista style, designs are stamped into the ceramic tiles.
The student wants to contrast the two styles of tiles. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Tiles in the majolica and arista styles can be found in the Royal Alcázar of Seville in Andalucía, Spain.
Featuring tiles in the majolica and arista styles, the Royal Alcázar of Seville in Spain is famous for its intricate tilework.
In the arista style, designs are stamped into the ceramic tiles, whereas in the majolica style, the designs are painted directly on them.
Among the famous tilework of the Royal Alcázar of Seville are majolica style tiles, made by painting designs directly on the ceramic tiles.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The Royal Alcázar of Seville is a historic royal palace in Andalucía, Spain." |
|
| "The palace is famous for its intricate tilework." |
|
| "The palace features majolica and arista tiles." |
|
| "In the majolica style, designs are painted directly on the ceramic tiles." |
|
| "In the arista style, designs are stamped into the ceramic tiles." |
|
Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The Royal Alcázar of Seville contains two distinct styles of decorative tiles that use different techniques for creating designs.
Argument Flow: The notes establish the location and significance of the palace, then identify the two specific tile styles present, and finally explain the key technical difference between how majolica and arista tiles are made.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which choice most effectively contrasts the two tile styles
What type of answer do we need? A statement that highlights the differences between majolica and arista techniques
Any limiting keywords? "Contrast" means we need to show differences, not just mention both styles
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- To effectively contrast the two tile styles, the correct answer must show how majolica and arista techniques differ from each other
- From our analysis, we know the key difference is the method: majolica designs are painted directly onto tiles, while arista designs are stamped into tiles
- The right answer should clearly present this difference between the painting technique and the stamping technique
Tiles in the majolica and arista styles can be found in the Royal Alcázar of Seville in Andalucía, Spain.
✗ Incorrect
- Simply states that both tile styles can be found at the palace
- Doesn't contrast the styles at all - just mentions their location
- Fails to show any differences between techniques
Featuring tiles in the majolica and arista styles, the Royal Alcázar of Seville in Spain is famous for its intricate tilework.
✗ Incorrect
- Mentions both styles but focuses on the palace being famous for tilework
- Doesn't contrast the styles - just acknowledges both exist
- Students might think mentioning both styles equals contrasting them, but listing isn't the same as showing differences
In the arista style, designs are stamped into the ceramic tiles, whereas in the majolica style, the designs are painted directly on them.
✓ Correct
- Directly contrasts the two techniques by highlighting that designs are stamped into tiles versus painted directly on them
- Uses contrast language to explicitly show the difference
- Matches our prethinking by highlighting the key technical difference
Among the famous tilework of the Royal Alcázar of Seville are majolica style tiles, made by painting designs directly on the ceramic tiles.
✗ Incorrect
- Only describes the majolica style technique and completely ignores arista tiles, so cannot contrast the two styles