During academic research, a student has compiled these notes:Dr. Maria Santos works as a marine biologist.Her expertise centers on coral...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
During academic research, a student has compiled these notes:
- Dr. Maria Santos works as a marine biologist.
- Her expertise centers on coral reef ecosystem research.
- Field studies require direct observation of life forms within their natural environments.
- In 2015, Santos performed a field investigation of Caribbean coral reefs.
- In 2019, she carried out a laboratory experiment examining coral bleaching.
The student seeks to highlight a distinction between these two research methodologies. Which option best utilizes pertinent details from the notes to achieve this objective?
Santos employed contrasting research methods: her 2015 Caribbean investigation utilized direct observation in natural settings, whereas her 2019 coral bleaching research occurred within controlled laboratory environments.
Dr. Santos has performed comprehensive coral reef investigations, encompassing Caribbean field research and laboratory coral bleaching experiments.
Santos's research projects both concentrated on coral systems and were undertaken within the 2010s.
Santos examined Caribbean coral reefs within their natural environment, while coral bleaching poses worldwide threats to reef systems.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Dr. Maria Santos works as a marine biologist.' |
|
| 'Her expertise centers on coral reef ecosystem research.' |
|
| 'Field studies require direct observation of life forms within their natural environments.' |
|
| 'In 2015, Santos performed a field investigation of Caribbean coral reefs.' |
|
| 'In 2019, she carried out a laboratory experiment examining coral bleaching.' |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Maria Santos conducted coral reef research using two different methodologies - field investigation and laboratory experimentation.
Argument Flow: The notes establish Santos as a coral reef specialist, then define field study methodology, and finally present two specific research examples that represent different approaches (field vs. laboratory).
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 right answer should contrast the 2015 field investigation with the 2019 laboratory experiment
- Use specific details from the notes about what makes these methodologies different
- Reference that field studies involve 'direct observation in natural environments' while the 2019 study was a 'laboratory experiment'
- Use pertinent details like the specific years (2015 vs 2019) and research settings (Caribbean reefs vs controlled lab)
Santos employed contrasting research methods: her 2015 Caribbean investigation utilized direct observation in natural settings, whereas her 2019 coral bleaching research occurred within controlled laboratory environments.
- Uses specific years (2015, 2019) and research details from the notes
- Directly contrasts 'direct observation in natural settings' with 'controlled laboratory environments'
- Perfectly captures the methodological distinction the student wants to highlight
- Incorporates pertinent details: Caribbean investigation, coral bleaching research, natural vs controlled settings
Dr. Santos has performed comprehensive coral reef investigations, encompassing Caribbean field research and laboratory coral bleaching experiments.
- Simply lists both types of research without highlighting any distinction
- Focuses on comprehensiveness rather than contrasting methodologies
- Doesn't fulfill the goal of showing differences between the approaches
Santos's research projects both concentrated on coral systems and were undertaken within the 2010s.
- Emphasizes similarities (both coral systems, both in 2010s) rather than distinctions
- Completely fails to address the methodological differences
- Goes against the specific goal of highlighting distinctions
Santos examined Caribbean coral reefs within their natural environment, while coral bleaching poses worldwide threats to reef systems.
- Only describes one methodology (natural environment field study)
- The second part about 'worldwide threats' doesn't relate to Santos's laboratory methodology
- Fails to create a comparison between her two research approaches