When Jane Jacobs published The Death and Life of Great American Cities in 1961, urban planning was dominated by large-scale...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
When Jane Jacobs published The Death and Life of Great American Cities in 1961, urban planning was dominated by large-scale redevelopment projects. Jacobs argued instead for mixed-use development, pedestrian-friendly streets, and community preservation. Her ethnographic approach to studying city life was unconventional for the field. Following the book's publication, many cities adopted planning principles emphasizing neighborhood-scale development and community input, marking a fundamental shift in urban planning practice.
Which choice best describes the main idea of the text?
Jacobs studied city life using ethnographic methods that were unconventional for urban planning.
Before Jacobs' work, urban planning focused primarily on large-scale redevelopment projects.
Jacobs' book led to fundamental changes in how cities approached urban planning and development.
Jacobs believed that mixed-use development and pedestrian-friendly streets were important for cities.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'When Jane Jacobs published The Death and Life of Great American Cities in 1961, urban planning was dominated by large-scale redevelopment projects.' |
|
| 'Jacobs argued instead for mixed-use development, pedestrian-friendly streets, and community preservation.' |
|
| 'Her ethnographic approach to studying city life was unconventional for the field.' |
|
| 'Following the book's publication, many cities adopted planning principles emphasizing neighborhood-scale development and community input, marking a fundamental shift in urban planning practice.' |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Jane Jacobs' 1961 book fundamentally transformed urban planning by shifting the field from large-scale redevelopment to community-focused, neighborhood-scale approaches.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes the pre-Jacobs era of large-scale urban planning, presents her alternative vision emphasizing community and walkability, notes her unconventional methodology, and concludes by highlighting how her book created a fundamental shift that many cities embraced.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The main idea of the entire text
What type of answer do we need? The central message that captures the passage's primary focus
Any limiting keywords? 'Main idea' means we need the overarching point, not just a supporting detail
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The passage follows a clear before-and-after structure
- We start with how urban planning worked before Jacobs, learn about her different approach, and then see the major impact her book had
- The key elements the correct answer must have are:
- Recognition that Jacobs' book was the catalyst for change
- Understanding that the change was significant/fundamental
- Focus on the transformation in urban planning practices (not just her ideas)
- So the right answer should emphasize how her book created a major shift in the field of urban planning
Jacobs studied city life using ethnographic methods that were unconventional for urban planning.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses only on her research methods (ethnographic approach)
- This is just one supporting detail from the passage
- What trap this represents: Students might pick this because 'unconventional methods' seems important, but it's not the main focus
Before Jacobs' work, urban planning focused primarily on large-scale redevelopment projects.
✗ Incorrect
- Only describes the situation before Jacobs' work
- This is just the opening context, not the main point
- What trap this represents: Students might think this is important background, but it's setup rather than the central idea
Jacobs' book led to fundamental changes in how cities approached urban planning and development.
✓ Correct
- Captures the fundamental transformation that occurred after her book
- Matches our prethinking about the book being a catalyst for change
- Reflects the passage's emphasis on the 'fundamental shift' that resulted
Jacobs believed that mixed-use development and pedestrian-friendly streets were important for cities.
✗ Incorrect
- Only focuses on what Jacobs believed/advocated
- Misses the crucial impact and transformation that followed
- What trap this represents: Students might think the main idea is about her specific beliefs, but the passage emphasizes the change her book created