The ancient city of Pompeii, buried by Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, has yielded remarkable insights into Roman daily life...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The ancient city of Pompeii, buried by Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, has yielded remarkable insights into Roman daily life through systematic archaeological excavation. Archaeologists have developed sophisticated methods for uncovering and preserving the fragile artifacts found throughout the site. One particularly effective approach involves the careful application of specialized consolidants—chemical solutions that strengthen deteriorated materials without altering their composition. These consolidants are applied in multiple thin layers, with each application followed by a controlled drying period to ensure optimal penetration and bonding with the original material.
Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?
It clarifies a preservation method mentioned in the previous sentence.
It supports an argument about archaeologists working at Pompeii.
It compares Pompeii's preservation needs with other archaeological sites.
It identifies the chemical properties of the materials found at Pompeii.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'The ancient city of Pompeii, buried by Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, has yielded remarkable insights into Roman daily life through systematic archaeological excavation.' |
|
| 'Archaeologists have developed sophisticated methods for uncovering and preserving the fragile artifacts found throughout the site.' |
|
| 'One particularly effective approach involves the careful application of specialized consolidants—chemical solutions that strengthen deteriorated materials without altering their composition.' |
|
| 'These consolidants are applied in multiple thin layers, with each application followed by a controlled drying period to ensure optimal penetration and bonding with the original material.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Archaeologists at Pompeii use sophisticated preservation methods, including a detailed process for applying chemical consolidants to strengthen artifacts.
Argument Flow: The passage moves from the broad context of Pompeii's importance to archaeologists' general methods, then narrows to focus on one specific technique (consolidants) and finally details exactly how this technique is implemented through a multi-step application process.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The function of the underlined sentence within the text as a whole
What type of answer do we need? How the underlined sentence serves the overall passage structure and purpose
Any limiting keywords? Content Genre: Sciences, Content Format: Text-only, Question Type: Purpose (specific part), Language Complexity: Moderate
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The underlined sentence comes right after the passage introduces consolidants as 'one particularly effective approach'
- The underlined sentence then breaks down exactly how these consolidants work—the layers, drying periods, and what this achieves
- The right answer should recognize that the underlined sentence provides specific details about the consolidant method that was just introduced, essentially explaining the 'how' after the 'what'
It clarifies a preservation method mentioned in the previous sentence.
✓ Correct
- This perfectly captures what we identified—the previous sentence introduces consolidants as an effective preservation method, and the underlined sentence clarifies exactly how this method works
- The word 'clarifies' accurately describes how the sentence provides the specific procedural details for the consolidant technique
It supports an argument about archaeologists working at Pompeii.
✗ Incorrect
- This suggests the sentence is supporting some broader argument about archaeologists at Pompeii
- But the sentence isn't arguing anything about archaeologists—it's simply describing a technical process
It compares Pompeii's preservation needs with other archaeological sites.
✗ Incorrect
- This would require the sentence to mention other archaeological sites, which it doesn't
- The passage never compares Pompeii to anywhere else—it's entirely focused on methods used at this one site
It identifies the chemical properties of the materials found at Pompeii.
✗ Incorrect
- This focuses on chemical properties of materials found at Pompeii
- But the sentence describes the application process of consolidants (the preservation chemicals), not the properties of the original artifacts being preserved