While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:As engineered structures, many bird nests are uniquely flexible yet...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- As engineered structures, many bird nests are uniquely flexible yet cohesive.
- A research team led by Yashraj Bhosale wanted to better understand the mechanics behind these structural properties.
- Bhosale's team used laboratory models that simulated the arrangement of flexible sticks into nest-like structures.
- The researchers analyzed the points where sticks touched one another.
- When pressure was applied to the model nests, the number of contact points between the sticks increased, making the structures stiffer.
The student wants to present the primary aim of the research study. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Bhosale's team wanted to better understand the mechanics behind bird nests' uniquely flexible yet cohesive structural properties.
The researchers used laboratory models that simulated the arrangement of flexible sticks and analyzed the points where sticks touched one another.
After analyzing the points where sticks touched, the researchers found that the structures became stiffer when pressure was applied.
As analyzed by Bhosale's team, bird nests are uniquely flexible yet cohesive engineered structures.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "As engineered structures, many bird nests are uniquely flexible yet cohesive." |
|
| "A research team led by Yashraj Bhosale wanted to better understand the mechanics behind these structural properties." |
|
| "Bhosale's team used laboratory models that simulated the arrangement of flexible sticks into nest-like structures." |
|
| "The researchers analyzed the points where sticks touched one another." |
|
| "When pressure was applied to the model nests, the number of contact points between the sticks increased, making the structures stiffer." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map: BACKGROUND: Bird nest properties → RESEARCH AIM: Understand mechanics → METHOD: Lab models + stick analysis → FINDING: Pressure leads to more contacts leads to stiffer structure
Main Point: Researchers studied how bird nests maintain both flexibility and structural integrity by using laboratory models to understand the mechanics behind these properties.
Argument Flow: The notes begin by establishing that bird nests have unique structural properties, then state the research team's goal to understand these mechanics, describe their laboratory approach using stick models, and conclude with their key finding about how pressure affects structural stiffness.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The student wants to present the primary aim of the research study.
What type of answer do we need? A statement that clearly identifies what the researchers were trying to accomplish or discover.
Any limiting keywords? "Primary aim" - this means we need the main research objective, not the methods or findings.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
• The right answer should clearly state that the researchers aimed to understand how bird nests achieve their unique structural properties.
Bhosale's team wanted to better understand the mechanics behind bird nests' uniquely flexible yet cohesive structural properties.
✓ Correct
- Directly states the research team's aim using the exact language from the notes and focuses on the objective rather than methods or findings.
The researchers used laboratory models that simulated the arrangement of flexible sticks and analyzed the points where sticks touched one another.
✗ Incorrect
- Describes what the researchers did (their methods), not what they aimed to do.
After analyzing the points where sticks touched, the researchers found that the structures became stiffer when pressure was applied.
✗ Incorrect
- Presents the research findings rather than the research aim.
As analyzed by Bhosale's team, bird nests are uniquely flexible yet cohesive engineered structures.
✗ Incorrect
- States a fact about bird nests rather than the research team's objective.