The university's rare manuscript collection includes medieval texts written on fragile parchment that deteriorates when exposed to light and humidity....
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The university's rare manuscript collection includes medieval texts written on fragile parchment that deteriorates when exposed to light and humidity. Library conservators work in controlled environments, delicately _____ damaged sections of these ancient documents so that scholars can continue accessing complete texts rather than fragments.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
scanning
restoring
binding
translating
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The university's rare manuscript collection includes medieval texts written on fragile parchment that deteriorates when exposed to light and humidity." |
|
| "Library conservators work in controlled environments, delicately" |
|
| "[MISSING WORD]" |
|
| "damaged sections of these ancient documents so that scholars can continue accessing complete texts rather than fragments." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Library conservators carefully work on damaged medieval manuscripts to ensure scholars can access complete texts.
Argument Flow: The passage first establishes that medieval manuscripts are fragile and deteriorate, then explains that conservators work carefully on damaged sections with the specific goal of preserving complete texts for scholarly access.
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 right answer should tell us:
- The word must describe an action that conservators perform on damaged sections
- It should be something that helps preserve manuscripts so scholars can access complete texts rather than fragments
- The action should be delicate work done in controlled environments
- The goal is to fix damage, not just study or organize it
scanning
✗ Incorrect
- "Scanning" means digitizing or examining documents electronically.
- While this might help preserve content digitally, it doesn't fix the physical damage to let scholars access "complete texts rather than fragments."
restoring
✓ Correct
- "Restoring" means repairing or returning something to its original condition.
- This perfectly fits the context—conservators fix damaged sections so scholars can read complete texts.
- The delicate work in controlled environments makes sense for restoration.
binding
✗ Incorrect
- "Binding" refers to putting pages together or creating book covers.
- This doesn't address repairing damaged sections within the manuscript pages themselves.
translating
✗ Incorrect
- "Translating" means converting text from one language to another.
- This has nothing to do with fixing physical damage to manuscripts.