While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Dr. Maria Santos is a restoration ecologist who specializes in...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Dr. Maria Santos is a restoration ecologist who specializes in wetland ecosystem recovery.
- She led the Blackwater Marsh restoration project in 2019.
- The project involved removing invasive plant species and reintroducing native sedge grasses.
- Within two years, migrating waterfowl populations increased by 40% in the restored area.
- The project served as a model for similar wetland restoration efforts across the region.
The student wants to describe the Blackwater Marsh project to an audience unfamiliar with Dr. Santos. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Led by restoration ecologist Dr. Maria Santos in 2019, the Blackwater Marsh project removed invasive species and reintroduced native grasses, resulting in a 40% increase in waterfowl populations that made it a regional model.
Dr. Maria Santos, who specializes in wetland ecosystem recovery, led the Blackwater Marsh restoration project in 2019.
The Blackwater Marsh restoration project involved removing invasive plant species and reintroducing native sedge grasses.
In the Blackwater Marsh project, invasive plant removal and native grass reintroduction increased migrating waterfowl populations by 40%.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Dr. Maria Santos is a restoration ecologist who specializes in wetland ecosystem recovery.' |
|
| 'She led the Blackwater Marsh restoration project in 2019.' |
|
| 'The project involved removing invasive plant species and reintroducing native sedge grasses.' |
|
| 'Within two years, migrating waterfowl populations increased by 40% in the restored area.' |
|
| 'The project served as a model for similar wetland restoration efforts across the region.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The Blackwater Marsh restoration project, led by wetland expert Dr. Maria Santos, successfully restored ecosystem health through targeted plant management and became a model for regional conservation efforts.
Argument Flow: The notes begin by establishing Dr. Santos's credentials as a wetland restoration expert, then detail her leadership of a specific 2019 project that used proven restoration methods. The notes demonstrate the project's success through measurable wildlife population increases and conclude by highlighting its broader influence as a model for similar regional restoration efforts.
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 is unfamiliar with Dr. Santos, the correct answer must provide some context about who she is - not just her name
- It should also describe what the project actually involved and ideally show why it matters
- We need enough information about the project itself so that someone who's never heard of Dr. Santos can understand what happened and why it's significant
- The answer should efficiently combine: who Dr. Santos is (her relevant expertise), what the project did (the restoration methods), and what the results/significance were
- So the right answer should give us a complete picture that works for someone who's never heard of Dr. Santos while focusing on describing the project comprehensively
Led by restoration ecologist Dr. Maria Santos in 2019, the Blackwater Marsh project removed invasive species and reintroduced native grasses, resulting in a 40% increase in waterfowl populations that made it a regional model.
✓ Correct
- Provides essential context by identifying Santos as a 'restoration ecologist'
- Describes the project methods ('removed invasive species and reintroduced native grasses')
- Shows the concrete results ('40% increase in waterfowl populations')
- Explains the broader significance ('made it a regional model')
- Efficiently combines all key information needed for the target audience
Dr. Maria Santos, who specializes in wetland ecosystem recovery, led the Blackwater Marsh restoration project in 2019.
✗ Incorrect
- Provides good context about Santos but completely fails to describe what the project actually involved or accomplished
- Doesn't tell us anything about the project itself - just who led it and when
The Blackwater Marsh restoration project involved removing invasive plant species and reintroducing native sedge grasses.
✗ Incorrect
- Describes the project methods clearly but completely ignores the audience requirement - provides no context about who Dr. Santos is
- For an audience unfamiliar with Santos, this leaves them wondering who she is and why this matters
In the Blackwater Marsh project, invasive plant removal and native grass reintroduction increased migrating waterfowl populations by 40%.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses only on the results but provides no context about Dr. Santos for the unfamiliar audience
- Missing the leadership context and broader significance