After years of studying monarch butterfly migration patterns, Dr. Sarah Chen published her comprehensive analysis of the insects' navigational abiliti...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
After years of studying monarch butterfly migration patterns, Dr. Sarah Chen published her comprehensive analysis of the insects' navigational abilities. Her extensive data challenged previous assumptions about how monarchs traverse thousands of miles: Chen _____ that the butterflies rely primarily on magnetic field detection rather than visual landmarks for long-distance navigation.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
suggested
revealed
concluded
discovered
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "After years of studying monarch butterfly migration patterns, Dr. Sarah Chen published her comprehensive analysis of the insects' navigational abilities." |
|
| "Her extensive data challenged previous assumptions about how monarchs traverse thousands of miles:" |
|
| "[MISSING WORD]" |
|
| "that the butterflies rely primarily on magnetic field detection rather than visual landmarks for long-distance navigation." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Chen's extensive research led her to a finding that challenged existing assumptions about how monarch butterflies navigate during migration.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes Chen's credibility through her extensive research, then indicates her data contradicted previous beliefs, leading to her specific finding about magnetic field navigation versus visual landmark use.
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 word needs to connect Chen's data challenging previous assumptions to her specific finding about magnetic field navigation
- We need a word that shows Chen arrived at this conclusion through her research process
- The word should indicate that she reached this determination based on her analysis and data
suggested
✗ Incorrect because "suggested" implies tentative findings, which contradicts the context of "extensive data" and "comprehensive analysis"
revealed
✗ Incorrect because "revealed" implies uncovering hidden information, but the context is about analyzing data to reach conclusions
concluded
✓ Correct because it shows Chen reached a reasoned determination based on her research and matches the context of comprehensive analysis
discovered
✗ Incorrect because "discovered" implies finding something completely new, but Chen analyzed existing migration patterns