While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Traditional archaeological surveys require researchers to walk systematically acros...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Traditional archaeological surveys require researchers to walk systematically across large areas to locate artifacts and sites.
- These ground surveys are time-consuming and often miss important discoveries buried beneath vegetation.
- In 2019, archaeologist Dr. Sarah Chen observed how wildlife biologists were using drone technology to track animal populations across vast landscapes.
- Chen recognized that similar aerial imaging could revolutionize archaeological site detection.
- She spent eighteen months developing, testing, and refining drone-mounted ground-penetrating radar systems.
- Her drones can now identify subsurface anomalies that indicate potential archaeological sites from hundreds of feet above.
The student wants to begin a narrative about the development of Chen's archaeological drones. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Recognizing the potential of aerial imaging after observing wildlife biologists' drone technology, Dr. Sarah Chen began developing drone-mounted systems to revolutionize archaeological site detection.
After eighteen months, Dr. Sarah Chen had developed, tested, and refined her drone-mounted ground-penetrating radar systems.
When Dr. Sarah Chen's drones fly over potential sites, they use ground-penetrating radar to identify subsurface anomalies indicating archaeological remains.
Traditional archaeological ground surveys, which are time-consuming and often miss buried discoveries, inspired new technological approaches.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Traditional archaeological surveys require researchers to walk systematically across large areas to locate artifacts and sites." |
|
| "These ground surveys are time-consuming and often miss important discoveries buried beneath vegetation." |
|
| "In 2019, archaeologist Dr. Sarah Chen observed how wildlife biologists were using drone technology to track animal populations across vast landscapes." |
|
| "Chen recognized that similar aerial imaging could revolutionize archaeological site detection." |
|
| "She spent eighteen months developing, testing, and refining drone-mounted ground-penetrating radar systems." |
|
| "Her drones can now identify subsurface anomalies that indicate potential archaeological sites from hundreds of feet above." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Sarah Chen revolutionized archaeological site detection by adapting drone technology she observed wildlife biologists using, developing her own drone-mounted ground-penetrating radar systems.
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
- For an effective narrative beginning about Chen's drone development, we need an opening that:
- introduces Dr. Chen as the main character
- establishes what sparked her innovation (the inspiration moment)
- sets up the development story that would follow
- uses the most relevant information from the notes for a strong opening
- Looking at our passage analysis, the key inspiration moment was in 2019 when Chen observed wildlife biologists using drones and then recognized the potential for archaeology
- This would make the strongest narrative beginning because it shows the moment that started everything
Recognizing the potential of aerial imaging after observing wildlife biologists' drone technology, Dr. Sarah Chen began developing drone-mounted systems to revolutionize archaeological site detection.
✓ Correct
- Captures the key inspiration moment when Chen observed wildlife biologists using drones
- Shows her recognition of the potential for archaeology
- Introduces Chen as the main character and sets up the development story
- Perfect narrative beginning that would naturally lead into describing her 18-month development process
After eighteen months, Dr. Sarah Chen had developed, tested, and refined her drone-mounted ground-penetrating radar systems.
✗ Incorrect
- Jumps to the END of the development process (after 18 months)
- This would be better suited for the middle or conclusion of a narrative, not the beginning
- Does not establish what inspired Chen or how the story started
When Dr. Sarah Chen's drones fly over potential sites, they use ground-penetrating radar to identify subsurface anomalies indicating archaeological remains.
✗ Incorrect
- Describes how the finished drones currently work
- This is about the final product's functionality, not the beginning of the development story
- Would work better as a description of the end result, not a narrative opening
Traditional archaeological ground surveys, which are time-consuming and often miss buried discoveries, inspired new technological approaches.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on the general problem with traditional methods rather than Chen specifically
- Does not mention Chen at all, so it cannot begin a narrative about her development process
- Too general and does not establish the personal story that would follow