During the 1980s, conservation biologist Michael Soulé encountered a persistent problem: small, isolated wildlife populations were declining rapidly e...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
During the 1980s, conservation biologist Michael Soulé encountered a persistent problem: small, isolated wildlife populations were declining rapidly even when protected from hunting and habitat destruction. Through his research, Soulé discovered that these populations suffered from genetic problems and random demographic fluctuations that didn't affect larger groups. This insight led him to establish the field of conservation biology, which applies population genetics and ecological principles to preserve endangered species. Soulé's interdisciplinary approach became the foundation for modern species recovery programs worldwide.
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
To explain why small wildlife populations decline rapidly
To describe the genetic problems affecting isolated populations
To discuss Soulé's establishment of conservation biology
To compare traditional and modern approaches to species protection
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'During the 1980s, conservation biologist Michael Soulé encountered a persistent problem: small, isolated wildlife populations were declining rapidly even when protected from hunting and habitat destruction.' |
|
| 'Through his research, Soulé discovered that these populations suffered from genetic problems and random demographic fluctuations that didn't affect larger groups.' |
|
| 'This insight led him to establish the field of conservation biology, which applies population genetics and ecological principles to preserve endangered species.' |
|
| 'Soulé's interdisciplinary approach became the foundation for modern species recovery programs worldwide.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The text describes how Michael Soulé's research into declining small wildlife populations led him to establish the field of conservation biology, which became the foundation for modern species recovery efforts.
Argument Flow: The passage follows a clear problem-to-solution narrative. It starts with Soulé encountering a puzzling conservation problem, then explains how his research identified the underlying causes, and concludes by showing how this discovery led him to create an entire new field that has had lasting global impact.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The main purpose of the entire text
What type of answer do we need? A statement that captures what the author is trying to accomplish with this passage
Any limiting keywords? Question Characterization: This is asking us to identify the overarching reason the author wrote this passage - what they wanted readers to understand or learn from it.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The passage is fundamentally about Soulé's journey from discovering a problem to creating a solution that had major impact
- The right answer should capture this biographical/historical narrative about how conservation biology came to be
- It should focus on Soulé as the central figure and the establishment of his field as the key outcome
To explain why small wildlife populations decline rapidly
- This focuses only on the decline of small populations
- While the passage does explain this, it's just the setup for the main story
To describe the genetic problems affecting isolated populations
- This zeroes in on genetic problems specifically
- These are important details Soulé discovered, but they're part of his research findings, not the main purpose
To discuss Soulé's establishment of conservation biology
- This captures the central narrative arc of the passage
- Matches our prethinking about Soulé being the main figure and conservation biology being the key outcome
To compare traditional and modern approaches to species protection
- The passage doesn't compare traditional vs. modern approaches
- While it mentions that Soulé's work became the foundation for modern programs, there's no comparison with older methods