The following text is adapted from a workplace communication study.The team meeting highlighted contrasting leadership philosophies between the two de...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The following text is adapted from a workplace communication study.
The team meeting highlighted contrasting leadership philosophies between the two department heads. Manager Collins typically maintained formal communication protocols and structured agenda-focused discussions. Manager Patel, however, believed that rigid structures stifled creativity. As a result, she regularly encouraged off-topic brainstorming, invited input from all hierarchy levels, and welcomed spontaneous idea-sharing sessions.
Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence?
It describes the specific topics discussed during the team meeting.
It shows how Manager Patel's beliefs influenced her management practices.
It suggests that Manager Patel is more effective than Manager Collins.
It explains why the team meeting was organized.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'The team meeting highlighted contrasting leadership philosophies between the two department heads.' |
|
| 'Manager Collins typically maintained formal communication protocols and structured agenda-focused discussions.' |
|
| 'Manager Patel, however, believed that rigid structures stifled creativity.' |
|
| 'As a result, she regularly encouraged off-topic brainstorming, invited input from all hierarchy levels, and welcomed spontaneous idea-sharing sessions.' |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Two department heads demonstrated contrasting leadership philosophies during a team meeting.
Argument Flow: The passage sets up a comparison by first establishing that there are contrasting leadership styles, then describes Collins' formal approach, presents Patel's opposing philosophy about rigid structures, and finally shows how Patel's belief translated into specific management practices.
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
- Looking at our analysis, the underlined sentence comes right after we learn that Patel believes rigid structures stifle creativity
- The sentence starts with 'As a result,' which signals it's showing consequences of that belief
- The sentence then lists three specific things Patel does: encourages off-topic brainstorming, invites input from all levels, and welcomes spontaneous sessions
- So the right answer should explain that this sentence demonstrates how Patel's stated belief about rigid structures translates into her actual management behaviors
It describes the specific topics discussed during the team meeting.
✗ Incorrect
- This choice focuses on specific topics discussed during the team meeting
- The underlined sentence doesn't tell us what topics were discussed - it describes Patel's regular management practices
It shows how Manager Patel's beliefs influenced her management practices.
✓ Correct
- This perfectly matches our analysis - the sentence shows how Patel's belief (that rigid structures stifle creativity) led to specific management practices
- The 'As a result' phrase directly connects her belief to these actions
It suggests that Manager Patel is more effective than Manager Collins.
✗ Incorrect
- The sentence doesn't compare effectiveness between the two managers
- It simply describes what Patel does without making any judgment about whether she's better than Collins
It explains why the team meeting was organized.
✗ Incorrect
- The sentence explains Patel's ongoing management style, not why this particular meeting was organized