Wildlife photographers working in remote locations often encounter unpredictable weather conditions that can damage expensive camera equipment. To pro...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Wildlife photographers working in remote locations often encounter unpredictable weather conditions that can damage expensive camera equipment. To protect their gear from rain, sand, and extreme temperatures, many professionals use waterproof cases specifically designed to ______ delicate electronics from environmental hazards.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
shield
distinguish
separate
advance
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Wildlife photographers working in remote locations often encounter unpredictable weather conditions that can damage expensive camera equipment." |
|
| "To protect their gear from rain, sand, and extreme temperatures, many professionals use waterproof cases specifically designed to" |
|
| [MISSING WORD/PHRASE] |
|
| "delicate electronics from environmental hazards." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Wildlife photographers use specialized waterproof cases to protect their sensitive camera equipment from harsh environmental conditions.
Argument Flow: The passage presents a straightforward problem-solution structure, identifying weather-related equipment damage as an issue that photographers solve by using protective cases designed for a specific protective function.
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
- We need a word that describes what protective cases do to delicate electronics when facing environmental threats
- The context shows us that waterproof cases are specifically designed for protection from rain, sand, and extreme temperatures
- The missing word should describe a protective action - something that creates a barrier between vulnerable equipment and harmful environmental conditions
shield
✓ Correct
- Shield means to protect from harm by creating a protective barrier
- Perfectly matches our prethinking about creating protection between electronics and environmental hazards
distinguish
✗ Incorrect
- Distinguish means to recognize differences between things
- This doesn't make logical sense - waterproof cases aren't designed to help people tell electronics apart from environmental hazards
separate
✗ Incorrect
- While separate could theoretically work, it doesn't capture the active protective function that's central to the passage's meaning
advance
✗ Incorrect
- Advance means to move forward or promote something
- Makes no logical sense in this context