Contemporary research has indicated that the severe reduction in bee colonies documented across North America from 2006 onward stems from...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Contemporary research has indicated that the severe reduction in bee colonies documented across North America from 2006 onward stems from colony collapse disorder (CCD), a condition associated with chemical pesticide use and agricultural habitat destruction. Such agricultural influences correspond to both the location and timing of bee population reductions, leading scientists to concentrate their research efforts in this direction. However, while farming-related stressors might certainly play a role in bee deaths, prioritizing these elements while minimizing genetic and disease-related research demands more robust scientific evidence than researchers have currently established.
Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
While farming-related stressors could reasonably account for recent bee colony losses, scientists supporting this theory have insufficiently considered genetic and disease-based evidence.
While multiple studies have connected bee colony reduction to colony collapse disorder, additional researchers have contended that concentrating on farming factors ignores crucial environmental considerations.
While bee colony reduction shows strong correlation with farming stressor patterns, it demonstrates equally strong correlation with genetic and disease distribution patterns.
While colony collapse disorder research has pinpointed farming stressors as possible causes, supporters of this perspective tend to depend on correlational instead of causal proof.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Contemporary research has indicated that the severe reduction in bee colonies documented across North America from 2006 onward stems from colony collapse disorder (CCD), a condition associated with chemical pesticide use and agricultural habitat destruction." |
|
| "Such agricultural influences correspond to both the location and timing of bee population reductions, leading scientists to concentrate their research efforts in this direction." |
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| "However, while farming-related stressors might certainly play a role in bee deaths, prioritizing these elements while minimizing genetic and disease-related research demands more robust scientific evidence than researchers have currently established." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: While farming factors may contribute to bee colony collapse, current research prioritizes these causes over genetic and disease factors without sufficient scientific justification.
Argument Flow: The passage starts by presenting the current scientific consensus that farming-related factors cause bee colony collapse. It then explains why scientists have focused on these agricultural causes because they correlate with the patterns of bee decline. However, it concludes with a critique that this research focus minimizes genetic and disease-related investigation without adequate evidence to justify such prioritization.
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
- The correct answer should capture the passage's structure of presenting farming factors as a current explanation for bee colony collapse, but then critiquing the research community's prioritization of these factors over genetic and disease research
- The main point is about the inadequacy of current research priorities specifically that focusing on farming factors while minimizing genetic/disease research isn't well-supported by evidence
While farming-related stressors could reasonably account for recent bee colony losses, scientists supporting this theory have insufficiently considered genetic and disease-based evidence.
✓ Correct
- Captures both parts: farming stressors "could reasonably account for" losses (acknowledges their potential role) but scientists have "insufficiently considered" genetic/disease evidence
- Perfectly matches our passage analysis where farming factors might play a role but the research focus lacks proper justification
While multiple studies have connected bee colony reduction to colony collapse disorder, additional researchers have contended that concentrating on farming factors ignores crucial environmental considerations.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims "multiple studies have connected" bee reduction to CCD, but the passage doesn't emphasize multiple studies
- Says "additional researchers have contended" which suggests a debate between researcher groups, but the passage presents one unified critique
While bee colony reduction shows strong correlation with farming stressor patterns, it demonstrates equally strong correlation with genetic and disease distribution patterns.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims bee reduction shows "equally strong correlation" with both farming AND genetic/disease patterns
- This contradicts the passage, which says genetic and disease research has been minimized, not that it shows equal correlation
While colony collapse disorder research has pinpointed farming stressors as possible causes, supporters of this perspective tend to depend on correlational instead of causal proof.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on "correlational instead of causal proof" as the main critique
- The passage doesn't make this correlation vs. causation distinction
- Misses the actual critique, which is about insufficient consideration of genetic/disease factors