While deployed out of state for disaster relief operations, National Guard Captain Marcus Thompson has been staying in regular contact...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
While deployed out of state for disaster relief operations, National Guard Captain Marcus Thompson has been staying in regular contact with community leaders back home. His messages reveal a pattern of active oversight and specific directives about local matters that require attention during his absence: ______
Which quotation from Captain Thompson's messages most effectively illustrates the claim?
"Our disaster response training has proven invaluable here, and the coordination with local emergency services has exceeded all expectations."
"Make sure the community center's heating system gets inspected this week, and don't forget that the food bank distribution is scheduled for Thursday morning."
"The deployment extends through next month, during which time our unit will support evacuation efforts in three additional counties."
"This mission has strengthened our unit's capabilities significantly, and working with federal agencies has provided excellent professional development opportunities."
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "While deployed out of state for disaster relief operations, National Guard Captain Marcus Thompson has been staying in regular contact with community leaders back home." |
|
| "His messages reveal a pattern of active oversight and specific directives about local matters that require attention during his absence:" |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map:
[CONTEXT: Thompson deployed but maintains contact] → [CLAIM: Messages show active oversight + specific local directives] → [Evidence needed to support this claim]
Main Point: Captain Thompson's messages demonstrate that he continues to provide active oversight and specific directives about local community matters while deployed elsewhere.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes Thompson's deployment situation, then makes a specific claim about what his communications reveal - that they contain active oversight and specific directives about local matters needing attention in his absence.
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 correct answer must show Thompson giving specific instructions or directions about local community matters that need attention while he's away
- We need evidence of him actively overseeing local affairs from a distance, not just talking about his deployment experience
- The message should contain concrete directives about specific local issues or tasks that require action back home
- The right answer should demonstrate Thompson actively directing local community affairs with specific instructions about matters requiring attention during his absence
"Our disaster response training has proven invaluable here, and the coordination with local emergency services has exceeded all expectations."
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on Thompson's current deployment and coordination with emergency services where he's stationed
- Shows his deployment experience, not oversight of local matters back home
- What trap this represents: Students might think any mention of Thompson's capabilities demonstrates oversight, but this discusses his current location, not home community directives
"Make sure the community center's heating system gets inspected this week, and don't forget that the food bank distribution is scheduled for Thursday morning."
✓ Correct
- Contains specific directives: "Make sure the community center's heating system gets inspected this week" and "don't forget that the food bank distribution is scheduled for Thursday morning"
- Perfectly matches our prethinking by showing active oversight of specific local community matters requiring attention
"The deployment extends through next month, during which time our unit will support evacuation efforts in three additional counties."
✗ Incorrect
- Discusses the timeline and scope of his current deployment mission
- Focuses on future deployment activities, not directives about local matters back home
"This mission has strengthened our unit's capabilities significantly, and working with federal agencies has provided excellent professional development opportunities."
✗ Incorrect
- Reflects on the professional benefits and learning experiences from the deployment
- Shows impact on Thompson and his unit, not oversight of local community matters