Climate researchers have long grappled with complex methodological challenges. 'Can we accurately predict long-term outcomes?' This fundamental questi...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Climate researchers have long grappled with complex methodological challenges. 'Can we accurately predict long-term outcomes?' This fundamental question drives much of contemporary climate science, as researchers develop increasingly sophisticated models to forecast environmental changes decades into the future. Most climate scientists dedicate significant resources to refining predictive accuracy and reducing uncertainty in their projections. However, some researchers, like Dr. Sarah Chen at the Pacific Climate Institute, emphasize a different priority. Rather than focusing primarily on long-term predictive precision, Chen and her colleagues ask whether their models adequately capture the immediate impacts affecting vulnerable communities today.
Which choice best describes the function of the underlined question in the text as a whole?
It demonstrates the technical limitations that prevent climate researchers from achieving reliable long-term predictions.
It represents a central concern that guides the methodology of many contemporary climate scientists.
It reflects the skepticism that some researchers have about the validity of current climate modeling approaches.
It illustrates the type of question that community-focused researchers like Dr. Chen typically prioritize.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Climate researchers have long grappled with complex methodological challenges." |
|
| "'Can we accurately predict long-term outcomes?'" |
|
| "This fundamental question drives much of contemporary climate science, as researchers develop increasingly sophisticated models to forecast environmental changes decades into the future." |
|
| "Most climate scientists dedicate significant resources to refining predictive accuracy and reducing uncertainty in their projections." |
|
| "However, some researchers, like Dr. Sarah Chen at the Pacific Climate Institute, emphasize a different priority." |
|
| "Rather than focusing primarily on long-term predictive precision, Chen and her colleagues ask whether their models adequately capture the immediate impacts affecting vulnerable communities today." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Climate researchers face a fundamental question about long-term prediction accuracy, with most focusing on improving predictions while some like Dr. Chen prioritize immediate community impacts instead.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes the challenging context of climate research, then presents a fundamental question that drives the field. It shows how most researchers respond to this question by focusing on predictive accuracy, but contrasts this with an alternative approach that prioritizes immediate community impacts over long-term precision.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The function of the underlined question within the text as a whole
What type of answer do we need? A description of what role or purpose the question serves in the passage's structure
Any limiting keywords? Within the text as a whole
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- From our analysis, the underlined question serves as a fundamental concern that drives contemporary climate science research
- It exemplifies the methodological challenges mentioned in the opening and provides the foundation that most climate scientists build their work around
It demonstrates the technical limitations that prevent climate researchers from achieving reliable long-term predictions.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims the question demonstrates technical limitations preventing reliable predictions
- The passage doesn't present the question as showing limitations, but as a driving force for research
It represents a central concern that guides the methodology of many contemporary climate scientists.
✓ Correct
- Describes the question as a central concern guiding contemporary climate scientists' methodology
- This matches our analysis - the passage explicitly calls it a "fundamental question" that "drives much of contemporary climate science"
It reflects the skepticism that some researchers have about the validity of current climate modeling approaches.
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests the question reflects skepticism about current modeling approaches
- The passage presents the question as motivating research, not expressing doubt about it
It illustrates the type of question that community-focused researchers like Dr. Chen typically prioritize.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims this is the type of question community-focused researchers like Chen typically prioritize
- Chen actually asks a different question about immediate impacts on vulnerable communities