While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Traditional mask-making serves important cultural functions in many societies.These...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Traditional mask-making serves important cultural functions in many societies.
- These masks are crafted using techniques passed down through generations.
- In Japanese Noh theater, masks represent specific character archetypes.
- This practice helps actors embody traditional roles and emotions.
- In West African Dogon culture, masks represent ancestral spirits.
- This practice connects the community with deceased family members.
The student wants to emphasize a difference between Japanese Noh masks and Dogon masks. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Traditional mask-making in both Japanese Noh theater and West African Dogon culture serves important cultural functions using generational techniques.
While Japanese Noh masks help actors embody character archetypes, Dogon masks serve to connect communities with ancestral spirits.
In West African Dogon culture, masks represent ancestral spirits, which connects the community with deceased family members.
Both Japanese and Dogon cultures create masks that serve important functions, with techniques passed down through generations.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Traditional mask-making serves important cultural functions in many societies.' |
|
| 'These masks are crafted using techniques passed down through generations.' |
|
| 'In Japanese Noh theater, masks represent specific character archetypes.' |
|
| 'This practice helps actors embody traditional roles and emotions.' |
|
| 'In West African Dogon culture, masks represent ancestral spirits.' |
|
| 'This practice connects the community with deceased family members.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Traditional mask-making serves different but important cultural functions across societies, with Japanese Noh masks helping actors portray characters while Dogon masks connect communities to ancestral spirits.
Argument Flow: The notes establish that masks generally serve cultural functions using traditional techniques, then provide two specific examples that show different purposes - Japanese masks focus on theatrical performance and character embodiment, while Dogon masks focus on spiritual connection with ancestors.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? We need to choose information that emphasizes a DIFFERENCE between Japanese Noh masks and Dogon masks.
What type of answer do we need? A statement that contrasts the two mask traditions rather than showing their similarities.
Any limiting keywords? 'Emphasize a difference' is key - we're not just looking for any information about both cultures, but specifically information that highlights how they differ from each other.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- From our analysis, we can see that both mask traditions serve important cultural functions, but they serve very different purposes
- Japanese Noh masks are about theatrical performance - they help actors embody specific character types and emotions for dramatic purposes
- Dogon masks, on the other hand, are about spiritual connection - they represent ancestral spirits and help the community maintain relationships with deceased family members
- The key difference is: performance/theater versus spiritual/ancestral connection
- So the right answer should clearly contrast these two different purposes rather than focusing on what they have in common
Traditional mask-making in both Japanese Noh theater and West African Dogon culture serves important cultural functions using generational techniques.
- Focuses entirely on similarities between the two traditions
- Mentions that both 'serve important cultural functions using generational techniques'
- Completely ignores the student's goal to emphasize differences
While Japanese Noh masks help actors embody character archetypes, Dogon masks serve to connect communities with ancestral spirits.
- Uses contrast structure to directly compare the two purposes
- Clearly states the Japanese purpose: 'help actors embody character archetypes' and the Dogon purpose: 'serve to connect communities with ancestral spirits'
- Directly fulfills the goal of emphasizing difference between the two traditions
In West African Dogon culture, masks represent ancestral spirits, which connects the community with deceased family members.
- Only discusses Dogon masks
- Provides no information about Japanese masks
- Cannot emphasize a difference if only one culture is mentioned
Both Japanese and Dogon cultures create masks that serve important functions, with techniques passed down through generations.
- Like Choice A, focuses on similarities rather than differences
- Emphasizes that 'both' cultures do similar things
- Mentions shared elements rather than contrasting elements