While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Climate scientist Dr. Maria Santos published influential research on Arctic...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Climate scientist Dr. Maria Santos published influential research on Arctic ice loss in 2018.
- Her models predicted that current melting patterns were caused primarily by rising ocean temperatures.
- In 2021, atmospheric physicist Dr. James Chen released a comprehensive study challenging Santos's conclusions.
- Chen's data suggested that changing wind patterns, not ocean warming, were the dominant factor in recent ice loss.
- Chen argued that Santos's temperature-focused model "overlooked critical atmospheric dynamics."
- Chen's wind-pattern hypothesis has gained significant support among polar researchers.
The student wants to use a quotation to challenge Dr. Santos's explanation of Arctic ice loss. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Chen argues that Santos's model "overlooked critical atmospheric dynamics," proposing instead that changing wind patterns drive ice loss.
Dr. Santos published research in 2018 showing that Arctic ice loss was caused primarily by rising ocean temperatures, but Chen disagreed.
According to Chen's 2021 study, changing wind patterns were the dominant factor, although Santos had focused on ocean warming.
Dr. Santos's temperature-focused model predicted current melting patterns, but Chen's data suggested atmospheric dynamics were involved.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Climate scientist Dr. Maria Santos published influential research on Arctic ice loss in 2018." |
|
| "Her models predicted that current melting patterns were caused primarily by rising ocean temperatures." |
|
| "In 2021, atmospheric physicist Dr. James Chen released a comprehensive study challenging Santos's conclusions." |
|
| "Chen's data suggested that changing wind patterns, not ocean warming, were the dominant factor in recent ice loss." |
|
| "Chen argued that Santos's temperature-focused model 'overlooked critical atmospheric dynamics.'" |
|
| "Chen's wind-pattern hypothesis has gained significant support among polar researchers." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map:
- Santos (2018)
- Theory: Ocean temps cause ice loss
- Influential research
- Chen (2021)
- CHALLENGES Santos
- Alternative theory: Wind patterns cause ice loss
- Direct critique: Santos overlooked critical atmospheric dynamics
- Growing support from researchers
Main Point: Two scientists present competing explanations for Arctic ice loss - Santos focuses on ocean temperature while Chen argues for wind patterns as the primary cause.
Argument Flow: The notes present a scientific disagreement where Santos established one explanation in 2018, but Chen's 2021 research challenges this with different data and a direct critique, with Chen's alternative view now gaining researcher support.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which choice most effectively uses a quotation to challenge Dr. Santos's explanation of Arctic ice loss.
What type of answer do we need? A statement that includes quoted material and effectively challenges (not just disagrees with) Santos's explanation.
Any limiting keywords? quotation (must include quoted text), challenge (must actively oppose Santos's view), most effectively (best of the options).
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The correct answer must include a direct quotation (words in quotation marks) that challenges Santos's explanation
- Since Santos argued that ocean temperatures are the primary cause of ice loss, the effective challenge would either critique her methodology or present conflicting evidence
- From our notes, we have Chen's direct quote: overlooked critical atmospheric dynamics - this would be perfect because it directly criticizes Santos's approach
- The right answer should include this quotation and use it to show why Santos's ocean temperature explanation is insufficient or wrong, ideally while also presenting Chen's alternative wind pattern explanation
- So the right answer should use Chen's quoted criticism of Santos and connect it to the competing explanation
Chen argues that Santos's model "overlooked critical atmospheric dynamics," proposing instead that changing wind patterns drive ice loss.
- Uses the quotation overlooked critical atmospheric dynamics which directly challenges Santos's methodology
- Connects the critique to Chen's alternative explanation (wind patterns vs ocean warming)
- Most effective because it both criticizes Santos's approach AND provides the competing theory
Dr. Santos published research in 2018 showing that Arctic ice loss was caused primarily by rising ocean temperatures, but Chen disagreed.
- Contains no quotation at all
- Simply states disagreement without using quoted material to challenge Santos
- What trap this represents: Students might think any mention of disagreement counts as challenging, but the question specifically requires a quotation
According to Chen's 2021 study, changing wind patterns were the dominant factor, although Santos had focused on ocean warming.
- Contains no quotation
- Presents contrast but doesn't actively challenge Santos's explanation
- More neutral presentation rather than effective challenge
Dr. Santos's temperature-focused model predicted current melting patterns, but Chen's data suggested atmospheric dynamics were involved.
- Contains no quotation
- Weak challenge that doesn't clearly contradict Santos's explanation
- Suggested atmospheric dynamics were involved is much weaker than direct criticism