While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Dr. Elena Rodriguez leads a botanical research project documenting highland...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Dr. Elena Rodriguez leads a botanical research project documenting highland flora in the Andes Mountains.
- The project focuses on cataloging medicinal plants used by local indigenous communities.
- Her team recently collected specimens of a flowering shrub with distinctive purple blooms.
- Local healers call this plant "molle de altura" in Spanish.
- The shrub's scientific classification is Schinus pearcei in Latin nomenclature.
- The research aims to preserve both traditional knowledge and formal botanical documentation.
The student wants to specify the shrub's scientific name. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
The highland shrub with purple blooms, known locally as "molle de altura," is scientifically classified as Schinus pearcei in Dr. Rodriguez's botanical research.
Dr. Rodriguez's Andean research project documents medicinal plants, including a flowering shrub called "molle de altura" by local healers.
The botanical team led by Dr. Elena Rodriguez collected specimens of highland flora, including a distinctive purple-bloomed shrub.
Local indigenous communities refer to the flowering shrub as "molle de altura," which Dr. Rodriguez's team has now documented.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Dr. Elena Rodriguez leads a botanical research project documenting highland flora in the Andes Mountains." |
|
| "The project focuses on cataloging medicinal plants used by local indigenous communities." |
|
| "Her team recently collected specimens of a flowering shrub with distinctive purple blooms." |
|
| "Local healers call this plant 'molle de altura' in Spanish." |
|
| "The shrub's scientific classification is Schinus pearcei in Latin nomenclature." |
|
| "The research aims to preserve both traditional knowledge and formal botanical documentation." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Rodriguez's botanical research project documents highland plants by collecting both traditional indigenous names and formal scientific classifications.
Argument Flow: The notes establish the research context and focus, then provide a specific example of a shrub with both its traditional Spanish name and scientific Latin name, concluding with the project's dual mission to preserve both types of knowledge.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The student wants to specify the shrub's scientific name using information from the notes.
What type of answer do we need? A sentence that most effectively accomplishes the goal of specifying the scientific name.
Any limiting keywords? "Most effectively" indicates we need the choice that best accomplishes the specific goal, not just mentions the shrub generally.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The correct answer must actually state the shrub's scientific name (Schinus pearcei) since that's the specific goal
- It should also connect this scientific name to the shrub being discussed, likely mentioning some identifying details like the purple blooms or local name to make the connection clear
- The answer might also reference Dr. Rodriguez's research to show this is part of the documented findings
- So the right answer should clearly state "Schinus pearcei" as the scientific name and connect it to the shrub described in the notes
The highland shrub with purple blooms, known locally as "molle de altura," is scientifically classified as Schinus pearcei in Dr. Rodriguez's botanical research.
- Directly states the scientific name "Schinus pearcei" which accomplishes the goal
- Connects it clearly to the shrub by mentioning "highland shrub with purple blooms"
- Includes the local name "molle de altura" for additional identification
- References Dr. Rodriguez's research context
Dr. Rodriguez's Andean research project documents medicinal plants, including a flowering shrub called "molle de altura" by local healers.
- Focuses on the general research project and medicinal plants
- Only mentions the local name "molle de altura" but completely omits the scientific name
- Fails to accomplish the stated goal of specifying the scientific name
The botanical team led by Dr. Elena Rodriguez collected specimens of highland flora, including a distinctive purple-bloomed shrub.
- Discusses the team collecting specimens and mentions the purple blooms
- Contains no scientific name whatsoever
- Doesn't accomplish the goal at all
Local indigenous communities refer to the flowering shrub as "molle de altura," which Dr. Rodriguez's team has now documented.
- Mentions the local name "molle de altura" and that it's been documented
- Completely omits the scientific name Schinus pearcei
- Fails to accomplish the stated goal
- What trap this represents: Students might think this choice works because it mentions documentation, but it doesn't actually provide the scientific name that the goal requires