The following text is adapted from a hospital newsletter profile of Dr. Maria Rodriguez, head of the pediatric emergency department.Throughout...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The following text is adapted from a hospital newsletter profile of Dr. Maria Rodriguez, head of the pediatric emergency department.
Throughout her twelve-hour shifts, Dr. Rodriguez maintains detailed patient charts and ensures every child receives both medical treatment and emotional comfort. She personally visits each family in waiting areas to provide updates, and her staff notes that she often stays past scheduled hours to complete patient consultations. When the department faces staffing shortages, she covers additional patient loads while training new residents. Her colleagues observe that she treats each case with equal attention whether it involves a minor injury or a complex medical emergency.
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
To explain the daily challenges faced by pediatric emergency departments
To highlight Dr. Rodriguez's comprehensive commitment to patient care
To suggest that Dr. Rodriguez works longer hours than other emergency physicians
To demonstrate that pediatric emergency medicine requires specialized training
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Throughout her twelve-hour shifts, Dr. Rodriguez maintains detailed patient charts and ensures every child receives both medical treatment and emotional comfort.' |
|
| 'She personally visits each family in waiting areas to provide updates, and her staff notes that she often stays past scheduled hours to complete patient consultations.' |
|
| 'When the department faces staffing shortages, she covers additional patient loads while training new residents.' |
|
| 'Her colleagues observe that she treats each case with equal attention whether it involves a minor injury or a complex medical emergency.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The passage profiles Dr. Rodriguez as a physician who demonstrates exceptional and comprehensive commitment to patient care.
Argument Flow: The text systematically builds a portrait of Dr. Rodriguez's dedication by showing her comprehensive care approach during normal shifts, her willingness to go beyond scheduled duties, her response during challenging times, and the consistency of her high-quality care regardless of case complexity.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The main purpose of the entire text
What type of answer do we need? The overall reason the text was written - what it's trying to accomplish or communicate
Any limiting keywords? 'Main purpose' tells us we need the primary, overarching goal, not a secondary detail
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The passage consistently shows Dr. Rodriguez going above and beyond in multiple ways: maintaining detailed records while providing emotional care, personally updating families, working overtime, covering extra patients during shortages, training residents, and maintaining consistent quality regardless of case severity
- The right answer should capture this pattern of comprehensive dedication to patient care
To explain the daily challenges faced by pediatric emergency departments
- Claims the text explains general challenges faced by pediatric emergency departments
- The passage focuses specifically on Dr. Rodriguez's individual approach and dedication, not departmental challenges
To highlight Dr. Rodriguez's comprehensive commitment to patient care
- Accurately captures that the text showcases Dr. Rodriguez's comprehensive commitment to patient care
- Matches our analysis showing multiple examples of her going beyond standard duties
To suggest that Dr. Rodriguez works longer hours than other emergency physicians
- While the text mentions she stays past scheduled hours, this is just one example of her dedication
- The main purpose isn't to compare her hours to other physicians
To demonstrate that pediatric emergency medicine requires specialized training
- The passage doesn't discuss training requirements for pediatric emergency medicine
- While she trains residents, this shows her dedication, not specialized training requirements