While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Chromosomes are cellular structures that contain genes.Genes carry critical instruc...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Chromosomes are cellular structures that contain genes.
- Genes carry critical instructions for determining an organism's physical traits.
- Members of the same species typically have the same number of chromosomes.
- The pineapple (Ananas comosus) and the melon (Cucumis melo) are species of fruits.
- The pineapple has fifty chromosomes.
- The melon has twenty-four chromosomes.
The student wants to specify how many chromosomes the pineapple has. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
The pineapple's chromosomes contain genes, which are critical to determining an organism's physical traits.
The pineapple (Ananas comosus) has fifty chromosomes.
The pineapple (Ananas comosus) and the melon (Cucumis melo) both have chromosomes, but the pineapple has more than the melon does.
The melon, a species of fruit, has twenty-four structures called chromosomes.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Chromosomes are cellular structures that contain genes." |
|
| "Genes carry critical instructions for determining an organism's physical traits." |
|
| "Members of the same species typically have the same number of chromosomes." |
|
| "The pineapple (Ananas comosus) and the melon (Cucumis melo) are species of fruits." |
|
| "The pineapple has fifty chromosomes." |
|
| "The melon has twenty-four chromosomes." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The notes provide background information about chromosomes and genes, then give specific chromosome counts for two fruit species.
Argument Flow: The notes start with foundational definitions about chromosomes and genes, establish a general biological principle about chromosome consistency within species, then provide concrete examples with specific chromosome numbers for pineapple and melon.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The student wants to accomplish a specific goal: to specify how many chromosomes the pineapple has.
What type of answer do we need? We need a choice that most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to state the pineapple's chromosome count.
Any limiting keywords? "Most effectively" suggests we want the clearest, most direct way to accomplish this goal using the available information.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- It must directly state how many chromosomes the pineapple has (the specific number: 50)
- It should be clear and focused on the pineapple specifically
- It should use information that's actually provided in the notes
- Since the goal is to "specify" the number, the answer should be direct and unambiguous
- The right answer should clearly and directly state that the pineapple has fifty chromosomes, without unnecessary information that doesn't serve this specific goal
The pineapple's chromosomes contain genes, which are critical to determining an organism's physical traits.
- This talks about what pineapple chromosomes contain (genes) and what genes do
- Completely fails to specify how many chromosomes the pineapple has
- While accurate information from the notes, it doesn't accomplish the stated goal
The pineapple (Ananas comosus) has fifty chromosomes.
- Directly states "The pineapple (Ananas comosus) has fifty chromosomes"
- Uses the exact information from the notes that answers the question
- Perfectly accomplishes the goal of specifying the pineapple's chromosome count
- Includes the scientific name for precision, which matches the note format
The pineapple (Ananas comosus) and the melon (Cucumis melo) both have chromosomes, but the pineapple has more than the melon does.
- Makes a comparison between pineapple and melon rather than specifying a number
- Says the pineapple "has more" but doesn't specify how many
- Fails to accomplish the goal of specifying the actual chromosome count
The melon, a species of fruit, has twenty-four structures called chromosomes.
- Focuses on the melon's chromosome count, not the pineapple's
- Completely misses the target of the student's goal
- While it uses accurate information, it's about the wrong fruit