Dr. Elena Vasquez has earned acclaim for her pioneering investigations into coral reef environments. Her research commonly concentrates on micro-level...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Dr. Elena Vasquez has earned acclaim for her pioneering investigations into coral reef environments. Her research commonly concentrates on micro-level relationships between singular coral polyps and their mutualistic algae, instead of analyzing comprehensive reef networks. Through this focus on minute biological connections, Vasquez can detect preliminary indicators of ecological pressure that could be overlooked in wider assessments. While her investigations build upon foundational marine biology concepts established in Australia, Vasquez integrates novel data-gathering techniques from her molecular biology background that set apart her research methodology.
Which option most accurately characterizes the general organization of the passage?
It outlines a scientific technique and subsequently offers instances of researchers employing comparable methods.
It presents a scientist and subsequently describes several unique characteristics of her research methodology.
It introduces a scholarly controversy and subsequently advocates for one position against rival hypotheses.
It delineates a scientific challenge and subsequently proposes why earlier remedies have shown insufficient.
Student-Facing Solution
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Dr. Elena Vasquez has earned acclaim for her pioneering investigations into coral reef environments.' |
|
| 'Her research commonly concentrates on micro-level relationships between singular coral polyps and their mutualistic algae, instead of analyzing comprehensive reef networks.' |
|
| 'Through this focus on minute biological connections, Vasquez can detect preliminary indicators of ecological pressure that could be overlooked in wider assessments.' |
|
| 'While her investigations build upon foundational marine biology concepts established in Australia, Vasquez integrates novel data-gathering techniques from her molecular biology background that set apart her research methodology.' |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Elena Vasquez has gained recognition for her unique coral reef research that combines micro-level focus with innovative molecular biology techniques.
Argument Flow: The passage introduces Dr. Vasquez as a respected researcher, then describes her distinctive research approach focusing on small-scale relationships rather than broad reef systems. It explains how this micro-focus allows her to detect early signs of ecological stress, and concludes by describing how she uniquely combines established marine biology knowledge with new molecular techniques.
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 passage follows a clear pattern: it starts by introducing Dr. Vasquez as an accomplished scientist, then spends the rest of the time describing what makes her research methodology special and different
- We get her specific research focus (micro-level instead of broad), the advantage this gives her (early detection of problems), and how she combines traditional knowledge with innovative techniques
- The right answer should recognize that this is fundamentally about presenting a scientist and then explaining the distinctive characteristics of how she does her research
It outlines a scientific technique and subsequently offers instances of researchers employing comparable methods.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims the passage outlines a technique and gives examples of multiple researchers using it
- The passage focuses on one researcher (Vasquez) and her unique approach, not multiple researchers using the same technique
It presents a scientist and subsequently describes several unique characteristics of her research methodology.
✓ Correct
- Accurately captures that we're introduced to a scientist (Dr. Vasquez) first and correctly identifies that the rest describes unique characteristics of her methodology (micro-focus, molecular biology techniques, etc.)
- Matches our passage structure perfectly
It introduces a scholarly controversy and subsequently advocates for one position against rival hypotheses.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims there's a scholarly controversy with the passage advocating for one position
- No controversy or competing viewpoints are presented - just description of Vasquez's approach
It delineates a scientific challenge and subsequently proposes why earlier remedies have shown insufficient.
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests the passage presents a scientific challenge and critiques previous solutions
- No challenge or problem is identified, and no previous solutions are deemed insufficient