While preparing a presentation, a researcher has compiled the following information:Dr. Maria Santos conducted a longitudinal study on urban air...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While preparing a presentation, a researcher has compiled the following information:
- Dr. Maria Santos conducted a longitudinal study on urban air quality from 2018 to 2023.
- The study tracked pollution levels across fifteen metropolitan areas in the southwestern United States.
- In 2024, Santos published her findings in the Journal of Environmental Research under the title "Desert Cities and Air Quality: A Five-Year Analysis."
- Her research revealed that cities with extensive green infrastructure showed significantly lower particulate matter concentrations.
- Phoenix, Arizona was highlighted as a case study in the research.
- Santos will present her work to the International Conference on Urban Environmental Health next month.
The researcher wants to introduce Dr. Santos's study to conference attendees who are already familiar with air quality research methodology. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information to accomplish this goal?
Dr. Maria Santos's study tracked pollution levels across fifteen metropolitan areas from 2018 to 2023, focusing on southwestern cities.
Dr. Santos's "Desert Cities and Air Quality: A Five-Year Analysis" examines the relationship between green infrastructure and particulate matter concentrations in urban environments.
Published in the Journal of Environmental Research, Dr. Santos's longitudinal study covers air quality research conducted from 2018 to 2023 across southwestern metropolitan areas.
Phoenix, Arizona serves as a key case study in Dr. Santos's research, which demonstrates reduced pollution levels in cities with green infrastructure.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Dr. Maria Santos conducted a longitudinal study on urban air quality from 2018 to 2023." |
|
| "The study tracked pollution levels across fifteen metropolitan areas in the southwestern United States." |
|
| "In 2024, Santos published her findings in the Journal of Environmental Research under the title 'Desert Cities and Air Quality: A Five-Year Analysis.'" |
|
| "Her research revealed that cities with extensive green infrastructure showed significantly lower particulate matter concentrations." |
|
| "Phoenix, Arizona was highlighted as a case study in the research." |
|
| "Santos will present her work to the International Conference on Urban Environmental Health next month." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Santos's five-year study discovered that cities with extensive green infrastructure have significantly lower particulate matter concentrations.
Argument Flow: The notes establish Santos's research credentials and scope, then provide publication details, before revealing the study's significant finding about green infrastructure's impact on air pollution, supported by Phoenix as a case study example.
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
- Since the audience already understands air quality research methods, they don't need to hear about longitudinal studies, sample sizes, or geographic scope as selling points
- What they need to know is what this particular study discovered that advances the field
- The most significant element from our analysis is the key finding about green infrastructure reducing particulate matter concentrations
- The right answer should emphasize the substantive contribution - the relationship between green infrastructure and air quality - rather than focusing on methodological details that experts would consider routine
Dr. Maria Santos's study tracked pollution levels across fifteen metropolitan areas from 2018 to 2023, focusing on southwestern cities.
- Focuses on scope and timeframe (fifteen metropolitan areas, 2018-2023, southwestern cities)
- These are methodological details that expert attendees would consider routine
- Misses the significant finding about green infrastructure that would actually interest experts
Dr. Santos's "Desert Cities and Air Quality: A Five-Year Analysis" examines the relationship between green infrastructure and particulate matter concentrations in urban environments.
- Immediately identifies the study's key discovery - the relationship between green infrastructure and particulate matter
- Uses the formal publication title to establish credibility
- Gives experts exactly what they need: the substantive contribution to the field
- Perfect match for an audience that already understands methodology but wants to know what's new
Published in the Journal of Environmental Research, Dr. Santos's longitudinal study covers air quality research conducted from 2018 to 2023 across southwestern metropolitan areas.
- Emphasizes publication venue and methodological details (longitudinal study, timeframe, geographic scope)
- Similar to Choice A but adds publication information
- Still fails to mention the significant finding about green infrastructure
Phoenix, Arizona serves as a key case study in Dr. Santos's research, which demonstrates reduced pollution levels in cities with green infrastructure.
- Mentions the key finding but focuses too narrowly on Phoenix as a case study
- Presents the research through the lens of one example rather than the broader discovery