Historian: New York City became an influential art center in the 20th century, as seen, for example, in the influential...
GMAT Two Part Analysis : (TPA) Questions
Historian: New York City became an influential art center in the 20th century, as seen, for example, in the influential 1913 Armory Show and the growth of museums. This was due primarily to a combination of New York's large and varied population, its basic resources, and its access to European art trends. The city could never have become an influential art center without the era's increased local wealth, which allowed more people to buy art. However, the changes were principally driven by the diversity of the city's population, including intellectuals and artists from Europe, and a culture that prized energy and creativity, which stimulated the artistic endeavors of many people.
Select for Precondition the statement that the passage most strongly suggests describes a precondition for New York becoming an influential art center. And select for Strengthener the statement that would, if true, most clearly strengthen the support for the historian's explanation of why the city became an influential art center. Make only two selections, one in each column.
Phase 1: Owning the Dataset
First, Create an Argument Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "New York City became an influential art center in the 20th century, as seen, for example, in the 1913 Armory Show and the growth of museums." |
|
| "This was due primarily to a combination of New York's large and varied population, its basic resources, and its access to European art trends." |
|
| "The city could never have become an influential art center without the era's increased local wealth, which allowed more people to buy art." |
|
| "However, the changes were principally driven by the diversity of the city's population, including intellectuals and artists from Europe, and a culture that prized energy and creativity" |
|
Second, Identify Argument Structure
- Main conclusion: NYC became an influential art center due to multiple factors
- Supporting evidence: Armory Show, museum growth
- Key assumption: That wealth enables art purchasing/patronage
- Different viewpoints: Initial factors vs. principal drivers
- Overall flow: Phenomenon → General causes → Necessary condition → Principal drivers
Phase 2: Question Analysis & Prethinking
First, Understand What Each Part Asks
- Part 1 (Precondition): We need something the passage suggests was a necessary condition for NYC's art prominence
- Part 2 (Strengthener): We need something that would support the historian's explanation if true
- Relationship: The precondition sets up what was necessary; the strengthener supports why it actually happened
Second, Generate Prethinking Based on Question Type
- For the precondition:
- The passage explicitly states wealth was necessary ("could never...without")
- We need something showing economic development/wealth
- For the strengthener:
- The historian emphasizes European influence and diversity
- We need evidence of European artistic influence or diverse immigration
Third, Develop Specific Prethinking for Each Part
- For Part 1: Look for something about economic growth or wealth accumulation in NYC
- For Part 2: Look for evidence of European artistic influence or changing demographics
Phase 3: Answer Choice Evaluation
Evaluating Each Choice
Choice 1: "New York showed significant economic development leading up to the early 20th century."
- Simple terms: NYC got richer before becoming an art center
- Part 1 fit: STRONG - directly relates to the "increased local wealth" precondition
- Part 2 fit: Weak - doesn't strengthen the diversity/European influence explanation
Choice 2: "New York afforded easy access to major art museums in other cities in the United States."
- Simple terms: NYC was well-connected to other US art centers
- Part 1 fit: Weak - not mentioned as necessary
- Part 2 fit: Weak - doesn't support European influence or diversity
Choice 3: "Members of the Hudson River School of painters helped promote art in New York."
- Simple terms: Earlier American artists helped NYC's art scene
- Part 1 fit: Weak - not suggested as precondition
- Part 2 fit: Weak - doesn't support European influence focus
Choice 4: "The Armory Show and other influential New York shows like it featured many prominent European artists."
- Simple terms: NYC's important art shows showcased European artists
- Part 1 fit: Weak - this is a result, not a precondition
- Part 2 fit: STRONG - directly supports "access to European art trends" and European influence
Choice 5: "The composition of European groups immigrating to New York changed in the early 1900s."
- Simple terms: Different types of Europeans started coming to NYC
- Part 1 fit: Weak - immigration change isn't the wealth precondition
- Part 2 fit: Moderate - could support diversity argument but less direct than Choice 4
The Correct Answers
- For Part 1 (Precondition): Choice 1 - The passage explicitly states wealth was necessary, and economic development provides that wealth
- For Part 2 (Strengthener): Choice 4 - This directly supports the historian's emphasis on European art influence
Common Traps to Highlight
- Choice 5 trap: While it mentions European immigration, it's vague about whether these were the "intellectuals and artists" the historian emphasizes
- Choice 3 trap: The Hudson River School was American, not European, so it doesn't support the European influence argument
- Timing trap: Don't confuse results (like the Armory Show featuring Europeans) with preconditions