Artificial leaves are a developing renewable energy technology that mimics the process of photosynthesis in plants. These devices are silicon-based...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Artificial leaves are a developing renewable energy technology that mimics the process of photosynthesis in plants. These devices are silicon-based solar cells coated in chemical catalysts that activate reactions that split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen gas. The technology, while generating lots of interest, is not yet commercially viable as a large-scale energy source. To meet this challenge, scientists from many fields are researching ways to store, transport, and distribute the energy the devices produce while other scientists are working to improve the cost and efficiency of the devices.
Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Artificial leaves are a developing renewable energy technology that mimics the process of photosynthesis in plants." |
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| "These devices are silicon-based solar cells coated in chemical catalysts that activate reactions that split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen gas." |
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| "The technology, while generating lots of interest, is not yet commercially viable as a large-scale energy source." |
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| "To meet this challenge, scientists from many fields are researching ways to store, transport, and distribute the energy the devices produce while other scientists are working to improve the cost and efficiency of the devices." |
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Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Artificial leaves technology shows promise but requires continued research and development before it can become a commercially viable large-scale energy source.
Argument Flow: The passage introduces artificial leaf technology and explains how it works, then identifies the key barrier (lack of commercial viability), and concludes by describing how scientists are actively working to overcome this barrier through research in multiple areas.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The main idea of the entire text
What type of answer do we need? The central message that captures the passage's primary focus
Any limiting keywords? "main idea" means we need the overarching point, not a supporting detail
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The correct answer should capture three key elements: Acknowledge that artificial leaves are a developing technology, recognize the current barrier (not yet commercially viable), and reference the ongoing research efforts to overcome this barrier.
- Captures that continued research and development is needed, acknowledges the current limitation (can't be widely used yet), matches our prethinking perfectly by connecting research needs to future viability
- Claims there's been a "recent increase in commercial use" which directly contradicts the passage, which states the technology is "not yet commercially viable"
- Focuses on efficiency comparison between artificial leaves and plants. The passage doesn't make any efficiency comparisons between the two. Misses the main point about current viability challenges and research efforts.
- Claims artificial leaves were developed specifically "to store energy for long-term commercial use" but while energy storage is mentioned as one research area, it's not presented as the original development purpose. Completely ignores the central issue that the technology isn't commercially viable yet.