While reviewing research findings, a student has taken the following notes:Dr. Elena Rodriguez is a marine biologist at Stanford University.In...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While reviewing research findings, a student has taken the following notes:
- Dr. Elena Rodriguez is a marine biologist at Stanford University.
- In 2019, she published a study on coral reef ecosystems, examining how temperature fluctuations affect marine biodiversity in tropical waters.
- The research documented significant species adaptation occurring in response to environmental stress.
- In 2022, she published a study on kelp forest ecosystems, examining how temperature fluctuations affect marine biodiversity in temperate waters.
- This research also documented significant species adaptation occurring in response to environmental stress.
The student wants to highlight a commonality between Dr. Rodriguez's two studies. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Dr. Rodriguez's studies on coral reef ecosystems and kelp forest ecosystems each documented significant species adaptation occurring in response to environmental stress.
Dr. Rodriguez's coral reef study was published in 2019, while her kelp forest study was published in 2022.
Unlike her kelp forest research, Dr. Rodriguez's coral reef study focused on tropical marine environments.
Dr. Rodriguez's coral reef study, which documented species adaptation to environmental stress, examined fewer temperature fluctuation patterns than her kelp forest study did.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Dr. Elena Rodriguez is a marine biologist at Stanford University." |
|
| "In 2019, she published a study on coral reef ecosystems, examining how temperature fluctuations affect marine biodiversity in tropical waters." |
|
| "The research documented significant species adaptation occurring in response to environmental stress." |
|
| "In 2022, she published a study on kelp forest ecosystems, examining how temperature fluctuations affect marine biodiversity in temperate waters." |
|
| "This research also documented significant species adaptation occurring in response to environmental stress." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Rodriguez conducted two marine studies in different ecosystems that both found significant species adaptation to environmental stress.
Argument Flow: The notes establish Rodriguez's credentials, then present two separate studies she conducted in different years and environments (coral reefs in 2019, kelp forests in 2022). Both studies examined similar phenomena (temperature effects on biodiversity) and reached the same key finding about species adaptation to environmental stress.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The student wants to highlight a commonality between Dr. Rodriguez's two studies.
What type of answer do we need? A statement that identifies something both studies share in common - a similarity rather than a difference.
Any limiting keywords? "Commonality" is the key limiting word - we need something that applies to both studies equally, not something that distinguishes one from the other.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Looking at our analysis, both studies share several elements
- Both were conducted by the same researcher
- Both examined how temperature fluctuations affect marine biodiversity
- Both documented significant species adaptation to environmental stress
- The key commonality that stands out as most significant is the shared research finding - both studies documented species adaptation occurring in response to environmental stress
- This is the most substantial similarity because it represents the core discovery of both research projects
Dr. Rodriguez's studies on coral reef ecosystems and kelp forest ecosystems each documented significant species adaptation occurring in response to environmental stress.
- States that both studies "documented significant species adaptation occurring in response to environmental stress"
- This matches exactly what our notes show - both the 2019 coral reef study and 2022 kelp forest study reached this same finding
- Perfectly highlights the key commonality between the two research projects
Dr. Rodriguez's coral reef study was published in 2019, while her kelp forest study was published in 2022.
- Focuses on the publication dates (2019 vs. 2022)
- This identifies a difference between the studies, not a commonality
Unlike her kelp forest research, Dr. Rodriguez's coral reef study focused on tropical marine environments.
- Emphasizes that the studies focused on different environments (tropical vs. temperate)
- This points out a difference rather than a similarity
Dr. Rodriguez's coral reef study, which documented species adaptation to environmental stress, examined fewer temperature fluctuation patterns than her kelp forest study did.
- Makes a comparison about "fewer temperature fluctuation patterns" that isn't supported by the notes
- The notes don't provide any information comparing the number of temperature patterns examined in each study