The passage below is taken from a 2019 medical research publication regarding cancer therapy. Dr. Martinez is presenting findings from...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The passage below is taken from a 2019 medical research publication regarding cancer therapy. Dr. Martinez is presenting findings from an innovative treatment method.
Throughout a period of several months, the experimental therapy assumed extraordinary efficacy, converting previously unpredictable patient results into dependable treatment achievements. The enhancement was apparent to every member of the research group.
In the context of the passage, which word best captures the meaning of "assumed"?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The passage below is taken from a 2019 medical research publication regarding cancer therapy. Dr. Martinez is presenting findings from an innovative treatment method." |
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| "Throughout a period of several months, the experimental therapy assumed extraordinary efficacy," |
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| "converting previously unpredictable patient results into dependable treatment achievements." |
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| "The enhancement was apparent to every member of the research group." |
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Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: An experimental cancer therapy developed remarkable effectiveness over several months, transforming unreliable patient outcomes into consistent treatment successes.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The meaning of the word "assumed" as used in this specific passage context
What type of answer do we need? A word that captures the same meaning as "assumed" when describing how the therapy gained effectiveness over time
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Looking at our passage analysis, we see that over several months, the therapy went from having unpredictable results to achieving dependable outcomes
- The word "assumed" describes how the therapy came to have "extraordinary efficacy"
- In this context, "assumed" means the therapy gained or developed this effectiveness - it took on this quality over time
- The right answer should mean "gained" or "developed" or "took on"
- "Acknowledged" would mean the therapy recognized or accepted something
- This doesn't fit because the therapy itself isn't doing the recognizing - it's gaining the quality of effectiveness
- "Acquired" means gained or developed, which perfectly matches our context
- The therapy acquired (gained) extraordinary efficacy over the months - it developed this effectiveness
- "Reproduced" means made copies of something
- The therapy isn't copying efficacy - it's gaining it for the first time
- "Theorized" means formed a theory or hypothesis about something
- The passage shows the therapy actually became effective, not that it theorized about effectiveness