Fertilizer ApplicationSpringSummerFallWinterNitrogen uptake45%72%91%23%Phosphorus uptake41%69%88%27%Potassium uptake38%65%85%21%Agricultural scientist...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
| Fertilizer Application | Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen uptake | 45% | 72% | 91% | 23% |
| Phosphorus uptake | 41% | 69% | 88% | 27% |
| Potassium uptake | 38% | 65% | 85% | 21% |
Agricultural scientists have discovered that nutrient absorption in crops varies dramatically based on seasonal timing of fertilizer application. Studies show that applications during dormant periods (winter and early spring) result in poor nutrient utilization, while applications during peak growing seasons (summer and fall) maximize plant uptake efficiency. This seasonal pattern holds consistent across different nutrient types. Research demonstrates that whereas phosphorus uptake during winter applications averages only 27%, ______
Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the example?
nitrogen uptake during spring applications reaches \(45\%\).
phosphorus uptake during fall applications reaches \(88\%\).
potassium uptake during summer applications reaches \(65\%\).
nitrogen uptake during winter applications reaches \(23\%\).
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Agricultural scientists have discovered that nutrient absorption in crops varies dramatically based on seasonal timing of fertilizer application. |
|
| Studies show that applications during dormant periods (winter and early spring) result in poor nutrient utilization, |
|
| while applications during peak growing seasons (summer and fall) maximize plant uptake efficiency. |
|
| This seasonal pattern holds consistent across different nutrient types. |
|
| Research demonstrates that whereas phosphorus uptake during winter applications averages only 27%, |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Agricultural nutrient absorption efficiency varies dramatically by season, with dormant periods showing poor uptake and peak growing seasons showing maximum efficiency.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes a seasonal pattern in nutrient absorption, contrasts poor dormant period performance with excellent peak season performance, confirms this pattern applies universally, then provides a specific example that needs completion to show the dramatic contrast.
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 sentence structure shows 'whereas phosphorus uptake during winter applications averages only 27%, [blank]' - this is clearly setting up a contrast
- The blank needs to show a much higher uptake number to demonstrate the 'dramatic' difference the passage describes between dormant and peak seasons
- The right answer should use data from the table that creates the strongest possible contrast with that low 27% winter phosphorus figure
- Since the passage emphasizes that peak growing seasons (summer and fall) maximize efficiency, we'd expect to see a summer or fall number that's much higher than 27%
- Looking at the phosphorus row: winter 27%, spring 41%, summer 69%, fall 88%
- The fall number (88%) would create the most dramatic contrast
- So the right answer should show phosphorus uptake during fall applications reaching 88%, creating a powerful contrast between the worst performance (27%) and best performance (88%) for the same nutrient
nitrogen uptake during spring applications reaches \(45\%\).
✗ Incorrect
- Shows nitrogen uptake during spring at 45%
- While this is higher than the 27% winter phosphorus, it's not the most effective use of data
- Spring is described as part of the 'dormant periods' along with winter, so this doesn't create the intended contrast between dormant and peak seasons
phosphorus uptake during fall applications reaches \(88\%\).
✓ Correct
- Shows phosphorus uptake during fall applications reaching 88%
- Creates the most dramatic contrast possible: same nutrient (phosphorus) going from worst performance (winter 27%) to best performance (fall 88%)
- Fall is specifically identified as a 'peak growing season' in the passage, making this the perfect contrast to winter's poor performance
- Uses the highest number available in the table for maximum rhetorical impact
potassium uptake during summer applications reaches \(65\%\).
✗ Incorrect
- Shows potassium uptake during summer at 65%
- While summer is a peak season, this switches to a different nutrient (potassium vs phosphorus)
- The contrast is less dramatic (65% vs 27%) compared to other available options
nitrogen uptake during winter applications reaches \(23\%\).
✗ Incorrect
- Shows nitrogen uptake during winter at 23%
- This gives another low winter number instead of creating a contrast
- Completely fails the 'whereas' structure which requires contrasting information