Elena Rodriguez conducted field studies on heritage wheat varieties in drought-prone regions. Her analysis of root structure and water uptake...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Elena Rodriguez conducted field studies on heritage wheat varieties in drought-prone regions. Her analysis of root structure and water uptake mechanisms led her to conclude that these plants evolved enhanced drought tolerance. Some agricultural scientists have questioned whether heritage varieties actually perform better under water stress than modern commercial cultivars.
Which observation would most undermine the skeptical scientists' position?
Root system analysis requires more sophisticated equipment for heritage varieties than for commercial wheat cultivars.
Heritage wheat varieties consistently outperformed commercial cultivars in controlled drought experiments, while commercial varieties showed superior yields only under optimal irrigation conditions.
Both heritage and commercial varieties showed similar performance levels in moderate drought conditions, though both struggled in severe water stress scenarios.
Irrigation technology has improved significantly since heritage varieties were first developed, making direct comparisons difficult to interpret.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Elena Rodriguez conducted field studies on heritage wheat varieties in drought-prone regions." |
|
| "Her analysis of root structure and water uptake mechanisms led her to conclude that these plants evolved enhanced drought tolerance." |
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| "Some agricultural scientists have questioned whether heritage varieties actually perform better under water stress than modern commercial cultivars." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Elena Rodriguez concluded that heritage wheat varieties have better drought tolerance, but some scientists question whether they actually outperform modern commercial varieties.
Argument Flow: The passage sets up Rodriguez's research-based conclusion about heritage wheat's superior drought tolerance, then immediately introduces scientific skepticism about whether this superiority actually exists when compared to modern varieties.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which observation would most undermine the skeptical scientists' position
What type of answer do we need? Evidence that would weaken or contradict the skeptics' doubts
Any limiting keywords? The skeptical scientists doubt that heritage varieties actually perform better than commercial varieties under drought stress. To undermine their position, we need evidence showing heritage varieties DO outperform commercial varieties in drought conditions.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
To undermine the skeptical position, we need evidence that:
- Directly compares heritage and commercial varieties under drought conditions
- Shows heritage varieties performing better than commercial varieties
- Demonstrates this superiority specifically under water stress
Root system analysis requires more sophisticated equipment for heritage varieties than for commercial wheat cultivars.
- States that analyzing heritage varieties requires more sophisticated equipment
- This addresses research methodology, not performance comparison
- Doesn't provide evidence about which varieties perform better
Heritage wheat varieties consistently outperformed commercial cultivars in controlled drought experiments, while commercial varieties showed superior yields only under optimal irrigation conditions.
- Shows heritage varieties consistently outperformed commercial varieties in drought experiments
- Commercial varieties only showed superior yields under optimal irrigation
- This directly contradicts the skeptics' doubts with experimental evidence
Both heritage and commercial varieties showed similar performance levels in moderate drought conditions, though both struggled in severe water stress scenarios.
- Shows similar performance levels between heritage and commercial varieties
- This actually supports the skeptical scientists by suggesting no meaningful difference exists
Irrigation technology has improved significantly since heritage varieties were first developed, making direct comparisons difficult to interpret.
- States that improved irrigation technology makes comparisons difficult
- This complicates the research question rather than resolving it with evidence