According to marine biologist Rachel Carson, the widespread use of synthetic pesticides in the 1950s represented a fundamental threat to...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
According to marine biologist Rachel Carson, the widespread use of synthetic pesticides in the 1950s represented a fundamental threat to ecological balance. In her view, the chemical industry's approach—which treated nature as something to be controlled and conquered—ignored the interconnected relationships that sustain healthy ecosystems. To address these concerns, Carson advocated for biological pest control methods that worked with natural processes rather than against them. She argued that integrated pest management, using predator species and targeted interventions, offered a more sustainable path forward.
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
The text outlines Carson's critique of chemical pest control and then describes her proposed alternative approach.
The text traces Carson's scientific training in marine biology and then lists environmental policies she helped implement.
The text explains Carson's influence on environmental policy and then demonstrates how her work shaped modern ecological thinking.
The text presents Carson's research findings about pesticides and then analyzes their impact on the chemical industry.
I'll solve this step-by-step, following the systematic approach to help you understand exactly how to tackle text structure questions.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'According to marine biologist Rachel Carson, the widespread use of synthetic pesticides in the 1950s represented a fundamental threat to ecological balance.' |
|
| 'In her view, the chemical industry's approach—which treated nature as something to be controlled and conquered—ignored the interconnected relationships that sustain healthy ecosystems.' |
|
| 'To address these concerns, Carson advocated for biological pest control methods that worked with natural processes rather than against them.' |
|
| 'She argued that integrated pest management, using predator species and targeted interventions, offered a more sustainable path forward.' |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Rachel Carson criticized synthetic pesticides as threats to ecological balance and proposed biological pest control as a sustainable alternative.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes Carson's critique of chemical pesticide use and the industry's controlling philosophy, then pivots to present her alternative vision of biological pest control that works with natural systems.
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
- Looking at our structure, we can see the passage has a clear two-part organization
- First, it presents Carson's problems with current pesticide practices - both the threat they pose and the flawed industry mindset behind them
- Then it shifts to Carson's proposed solutions - biological methods and integrated management
- So the right answer should describe this critique-first, solution-second structure that moves from identifying problems with chemical pesticides to presenting Carson's alternative approach
The text outlines Carson's critique of chemical pest control and then describes her proposed alternative approach.
✓ Correct
- Matches our structure perfectly - critique followed by alternative
- 'Outlines Carson's critique' captures the first half (pesticides as threat + industry approach problems)
- 'Describes her proposed alternative approach' captures the second half (biological control + integrated management)
- Reflects the clear two-part organization we identified
The text traces Carson's scientific training in marine biology and then lists environmental policies she helped implement.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims the text traces Carson's 'scientific training in marine biology' - the passage only mentions she's a marine biologist, doesn't discuss her training
- Says it 'lists environmental policies she helped implement' - the passage discusses methods she advocated for, not policies she implemented
- Completely misrepresents both the content and structure
The text explains Carson's influence on environmental policy and then demonstrates how her work shaped modern ecological thinking.
✗ Incorrect
- Says the text explains Carson's 'influence on environmental policy' - the passage focuses on her ideas, not her influence or impact
- Claims it demonstrates 'how her work shaped modern ecological thinking' - the passage doesn't discuss modern impacts or legacy
- Students might choose this because Carson is famous for influencing environmental policy, but the passage doesn't actually discuss her influence
The text presents Carson's research findings about pesticides and then analyzes their impact on the chemical industry.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims it presents Carson's 'research findings about pesticides' - the passage presents her views and arguments, not research findings or data
- Says it 'analyzes their impact on the chemical industry' - the passage critiques the industry but doesn't analyze impacts
- Mischaracterizes the content as research-based rather than argument-based