According to a team of neuroeconomists from the University of Zurich, ease of decision making may be linked to communication...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
According to a team of neuroeconomists from the University of Zurich, ease of decision making may be linked to communication between two brain regions, the prefrontal cortex and the parietal cortex. Individuals tend to be more decisive if the information flow between the regions is intensified, whereas they make choices more slowly when information flow is _______.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
reduced
evaluated
determined
acquired
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'According to a team of neuroeconomists from the University of Zurich,' |
|
| 'ease of decision making may be linked to communication between two brain regions, the prefrontal cortex and the parietal cortex.' |
|
| 'Individuals tend to be more decisive if the information flow between the regions is intensified,' |
|
| 'whereas they make choices more slowly when information flow is' |
|
| [MISSING WORD] |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Neuroeconomists found that decision-making speed depends on the intensity of information flow between specific brain regions.
Argument Flow: The passage introduces research from Zurich, presents the main finding about brain communication and decision-making, then provides a specific example showing the relationship works in both directions—intensified flow speeds decisions, while the opposite condition slows them.
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 passage creates a clear contrast using 'whereas'—when information flow is intensified, people are more decisive
- The missing word needs to describe the opposite condition that leads to slower decision-making
- Since 'intensified' means strengthened or increased, we need a word that means weakened or decreased
- The logical relationship is: if more flow = faster decisions, then less flow = slower decisions
- So the right answer should describe a reduction or decrease in information flow to complete this logical contrast
reduced
✓ Correct
- Creates the perfect logical contrast with 'intensified'
- 'Reduced' means decreased or lessened, which is the opposite of intensified
- Completes the cause-and-effect relationship: less information flow leads to slower decisions
evaluated
✗ Incorrect
- 'Evaluated' means assessed or judged
- Doesn't create a logical contrast with 'intensified'
- Makes no sense in the context of information flow between brain regions
determined
✗ Incorrect
- 'Determined' means decided or established
- Doesn't contrast with 'intensified' in a meaningful way
- What trap this represents: Students might think this sounds scientific and official, but it doesn't fit the logical relationship the sentence requires
acquired
✗ Incorrect
- 'Acquired' means obtained or gained
- If anything, this would be similar to 'intensified' rather than contrasting with it
- Doesn't complete the logical flow showing opposite conditions