Comfort Ratings and Temperature-Adjustment Preferences from One SurveyParticipantComfort ratingPreferred temperature adjustment20-2Cooler11Cooler211Co...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
| Participant | Comfort rating | Preferred temperature adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | -2 | Cooler |
| 1 | 1 | Cooler |
| 21 | 1 | Cooler |
Nan Gao and her team conducted multiple surveys to determine participants' levels of comfort in a room where the temperature was regulated by a commercial climate control system. Participants filled out surveys several times a day to indicate their level of comfort on a scale from -3 (very cold) to +3 (very hot), with 0 indicating neutral (neither warm nor cool), and to indicate how they would prefer the temperature to be adjusted. The table shows three participants' responses in one of the surveys. According to the table, all three participants wanted the room to be cooler, ______
Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the statement?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Nan Gao and her team conducted multiple surveys to determine participants' levels of comfort in a room where the temperature was regulated by a commercial climate control system." |
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| "Participants filled out surveys several times a day to indicate their level of comfort on a scale from \(-3\) (very cold) to \(+3\) (very hot), with \(0\) indicating neutral (neither warm nor cool), and to indicate how they would prefer the temperature to be adjusted." |
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| "The table shows three participants' responses in one of the surveys." |
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| TABLE DATA: Participant 20: \(-2\), Cooler; Participant 1: \(1\), Cooler; Participant 21: \(1\), Cooler |
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Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Research measured comfort levels and temperature preferences, revealing that all three sample participants wanted cooler temperatures despite having different comfort experiences.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Looking at the table data, we see an interesting pattern: all three want it cooler, but their current comfort levels are very different
- Participant 20 is already feeling cold (\(-2\)) while participants 1 and 21 are feeling warm (\(+1\))
- This creates a notable contrast
- The correct answer should point out that despite all wanting cooler temperatures, participant 20 felt significantly colder than the others
- Claims they reported the same comfort level
- Directly contradicts the table data (\(-2, 1, 1\) are not the same)
- Discusses ratings varying throughout the day
- The table only shows data from one survey, not daily variation
- Accurately reflects the data: participant 20 (\(-2\)) vs. participants 1 and 21 (both \(+1\))
- Creates logical contrast and uses appropriate description of the \(3\)-point difference
- Claims participant 1 felt warmer than the other two
- Participant 1 and participant 21 both rated their comfort at \(+1\)