The following text is from Nella Larsen's 1928 novel Quicksand. The trees in their spring beauty sent through her restive...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The following text is from Nella Larsen's 1928 novel Quicksand.
The trees in their spring beauty sent through her restive mind a sharp thrill of pleasure. Seductive, charming, and beckoning as cities were, they had not this easy unhuman loveliness.
As used in the text, what does the word 'beckoning' most nearly mean?
Demanding
Signaling
Inviting
Shifting
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The trees in their spring beauty sent through her restive mind a sharp thrill of pleasure." |
|
| "Seductive, charming, and beckoning as cities were, they had not this easy unhuman loveliness." |
|
Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: While cities possess attractive, alluring qualities, they lack the natural, effortless beauty that trees possess.
Argument Flow: The narrator first establishes her strong emotional response to trees in spring. She then acknowledges that cities have their own appealing qualities but contrasts this with trees, which have a different kind of beauty that is natural and effortless rather than artificially enticing.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The meaning of the word "beckoning" as it's used in this specific context
What type of answer do we need? A synonym that captures how "beckoning" functions in this sentence
Any limiting keywords? "As used in the text" means we need to consider the specific contextual meaning
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- In this passage, "beckoning" is grouped with "seductive" and "charming" as qualities that cities possess
- The context suggests that cities have an attractive, alluring quality that seems to call out to people or draw them in
- The word appears in a list of appealing characteristics that make cities attractive to people
- The right answer should capture the idea of cities drawing people in or attracting them in an enticing way
Demanding
- "Demanding" suggests a forceful quality that doesn't fit with the attractive context established by "seductive" and "charming"
Signaling
- "Signaling" is too neutral and doesn't capture the attractive, enticing quality that fits with the other descriptors
Inviting
- Perfect fit with the context of cities being "seductive" and "charming." "Inviting" captures the idea that cities seem to welcome people appealingly
Shifting
- "Shifting" suggests movement or change, which is unrelated to the attractive qualities described