The following text is adapted from a research report on marine biology fieldwork conducted in 2019.Dr. Martinez had positioned the...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The following text is adapted from a research report on marine biology fieldwork conducted in 2019.
Dr. Martinez had positioned the hydrophone equipment carefully along the ocean floor, and although her attention was focused on calibrating the recording devices, the sensitive instruments could not help receiving the complex vocalizations that whales were producing several miles away.
As used in the text, what does the word "receiving" most nearly mean?
Detecting
Ignoring
Transmitting
Blocking
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Dr. Martinez had positioned the hydrophone equipment carefully along the ocean floor" |
|
| "and although her attention was focused on calibrating the recording devices" |
|
| "the sensitive instruments could not help receiving the complex vocalizations that whales were producing several miles away" |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Even while Dr. Martinez was busy calibrating her underwater recording equipment, the sensitive instruments automatically picked up whale vocalizations from several miles away.
Argument Flow: The passage sets up a scientific scenario where hydrophone equipment has been positioned underwater. While the researcher is occupied with technical adjustments, the equipment demonstrates its sensitivity by detecting distant whale sounds without any deliberate effort to capture them.
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
- In this context, "receiving" describes what the hydrophones are doing with the whale vocalizations
- The passage emphasizes that this happened automatically - the instruments "could not help" doing this action
- This suggests the equipment was picking up or capturing these sounds without any intentional effort
- The word should convey the idea of the instruments sensing or picking up sound signals from a distance
- So the right answer should indicate that the equipment was automatically picking up or sensing the whale sounds
Detecting
✓ Correct
- This perfectly captures what the hydrophones were doing - sensing and picking up the whale vocalizations
- Matches our prethinking about the equipment automatically sensing sounds
- "Detecting" conveys the technical process of instruments picking up signals, which aligns with the scientific context
Ignoring
✗ Incorrect
- This means the opposite of what's happening - the passage emphasizes the instruments were picking up the sounds
- Contradicts the main point that the equipment was sensitive enough to capture distant vocalizations
Transmitting
✗ Incorrect
- This means sending out signals, but the hydrophones are picking up sounds, not broadcasting them
- This represents a trap where students might confuse the direction of signal flow in technical equipment
Blocking
✗ Incorrect
- This means preventing sounds from getting through, which is the opposite of what's described
- The passage emphasizes how the equipment captured the whale sounds despite the distance