While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:The Sasanian Empire lasted about 400 years (AD 224 to...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- The Sasanian Empire lasted about 400 years (AD 224 to AD 651).
- The Sasanians controlled an area spanning 1.4 million square miles.
- This area included present-day Iran and Iraq.
- The empire's capital was the ancient city of Ctesiphon.
- Ctesiphon was located near present-day Baghdad, Iraq.
The student wants to specify the location of Ctesiphon. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
The Sasanian Empire began in AD 224 and ended in AD 651.
The capital of the Sasanian Empire, which spanned 1.4 million square miles, was Ctesiphon.
The Sasanians controlled an area of 1.4 million square miles, including present-day Iran and Iraq.
Ctesiphon, the capital of the Sasanian Empire, was located near present-day Baghdad, Iraq.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The Sasanian Empire lasted about 400 years (AD 224 to AD 651)." |
|
| "The Sasanians controlled an area spanning 1.4 million square miles." |
|
| "This area included present-day Iran and Iraq." |
|
| "The empire's capital was the ancient city of Ctesiphon." |
|
| "Ctesiphon was located near present-day Baghdad, Iraq." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The notes provide comprehensive factual information about the Sasanian Empire, covering its duration, territorial scope, and capital city location.
Argument Flow: The notes move systematically from broad temporal and geographic context (when and how large the empire was) to increasingly specific details (which modern areas it covered, what its capital was called, and exactly where that capital was located).
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? We need to choose the option that most effectively helps the student accomplish their specific goal of specifying Ctesiphon's location.
What type of answer do we need? A sentence that uses relevant information from the notes to clearly indicate where Ctesiphon was positioned geographically.
Any limiting keywords? N/A
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The student's goal is specifically to specify Ctesiphon's location
- For this to be accomplished effectively, the right answer should:
- Clearly identify what Ctesiphon is (the capital city)
- Include the specific location information from the notes (near present-day Baghdad, Iraq)
- Focus on location rather than getting distracted by other details like dates or territory size
The Sasanian Empire began in AD 224 and ended in AD 651.
- Provides only the empire's start and end dates
- Contains no information about Ctesiphon or its location
- Completely fails to address the student's goal
The capital of the Sasanian Empire, which spanned 1.4 million square miles, was Ctesiphon.
- Identifies Ctesiphon as the capital but provides no location information
- Includes irrelevant detail about the empire's size
- Falls short of the goal since location specification requires saying WHERE something is
The Sasanians controlled an area of 1.4 million square miles, including present-day Iran and Iraq.
- Focuses on the empire's territorial extent rather than the capital's location
- Mentions Iran and Iraq but doesn't connect this to Ctesiphon specifically
- Doesn't even mention Ctesiphon
Ctesiphon, the capital of the Sasanian Empire, was located near present-day Baghdad, Iraq.
- Directly states Ctesiphon's location (near present-day Baghdad, Iraq)
- Includes context by identifying Ctesiphon as the capital
- Uses the most relevant location information from the notes
- Perfectly accomplishes the goal of specifying where Ctesiphon was located