To determine which urban design features most effectively encourage pedestrian activity, city planner Sarah Chen and her research team studied...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
To determine which urban design features most effectively encourage pedestrian activity, city planner Sarah Chen and her research team studied foot traffic patterns in three different neighborhood layouts in Portland. They compared traditional grid systems, curved street networks, and mixed-use developments, finding that each design approach influenced pedestrian behavior in distinct ways. For example, the team observed that curved street networks created more intimate walking experiences but reduced overall foot traffic compared to grid systems.
Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
Chen and her team studied different urban design approaches and discovered specific ways that neighborhood layouts affect pedestrian behavior.
Chen and her team found that curved street networks in Portland created more intimate walking experiences than other design approaches.
Chen and her team concluded that traditional grid systems were superior to other neighborhood layouts for encouraging pedestrian activity.
Chen and her team's research demonstrated that mixed-use developments were essential for creating vibrant pedestrian environments.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| To determine which urban design features most effectively encourage pedestrian activity, city planner Sarah Chen and her research team studied foot traffic patterns in three different neighborhood layouts in Portland. |
|
| They compared traditional grid systems, curved street networks, and mixed-use developments, finding that each design approach influenced pedestrian behavior in distinct ways. |
|
| For example, the team observed that curved street networks created more intimate walking experiences but reduced overall foot traffic compared to grid systems. |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Chen's research team discovered that different urban design approaches each influence pedestrian behavior in their own distinct ways.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes the research goal and methods, presents the key finding that different neighborhood designs affect pedestrians differently, and supports this with a specific comparison example.
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 that Chen's team studied various urban designs and found that each one influences pedestrian behavior in specific ways
Chen and her team studied different urban design approaches and discovered specific ways that neighborhood layouts affect pedestrian behavior.
✓ Correct
- Captures both key elements: Chen's team studied different urban design approaches AND discovered specific effects on pedestrian behavior
- Matches the broad scope of our passage analysis
Chen and her team found that curved street networks in Portland created more intimate walking experiences than other design approaches.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses only on curved street networks creating intimate experiences
- This is just the supporting example, not the main point
Chen and her team concluded that traditional grid systems were superior to other neighborhood layouts for encouraging pedestrian activity.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims grid systems were found 'superior' but the passage doesn't conclude any design is best
- The passage presents differences, not superiority judgments
Chen and her team's research demonstrated that mixed-use developments were essential for creating vibrant pedestrian environments.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses only on mixed-use developments being 'essential'
- This narrows the scope to just one design type when the main point covers all three