The way in which individual elements are balanced within a photographic image tends to affect how viewers perceive it: symmetry...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The way in which individual elements are balanced within a photographic image tends to affect how viewers perceive it: symmetry tends to give the elements equal importance, asymmetry emphasizes differences, and radial balance (organizing the elements around a central point) emphasizes the center over the periphery. What a photograph conveys is therefore largely ________ how it is balanced.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The way in which individual elements are balanced within a photographic image tends to affect how viewers perceive it:" |
|
| "symmetry tends to give the elements equal importance, asymmetry emphasizes differences, and radial balance (organizing the elements around a central point) emphasizes the center over the periphery." |
|
| "What a photograph conveys is therefore largely" |
|
| "how it is balanced." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The message a photograph conveys depends on how its elements are balanced.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes that balance affects perception, then provides three specific examples of different balance types and their effects, leading to the conclusion that what a photograph communicates is determined by its particular balance approach.
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
- Based on our analysis, the passage shows that different balance types create different effects on viewers
- The conclusion with "therefore" indicates that what a photo conveys is somehow tied to or determined by its balance
- The right answer should express a dependency relationship where the photo's message depends on how it's balanced
✗ Incorrect
- This means hindered or restricted by
- Would suggest balance prevents what a photo conveys, contradicting the passage's positive examples
✓ Correct
- Means "dependent on" or "determined by"
- Perfectly matches our prethinking: the photo's message depends on its balance type
- Aligns with the passage's logic
✗ Incorrect
- Means "required to" or "must"
- Would create an awkward meaning about photos being required to show balance
✗ Incorrect
- Means "set aside for" or "kept exclusively for"
- Doesn't capture the dependency relationship the passage establishes