A student compiled the following research notes during their investigation:Environmental researcher Dr. James Chen conducted experiments with soil tre...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
A student compiled the following research notes during their investigation:
- Environmental researcher Dr. James Chen conducted experiments with soil treatments on polluted farmland.
- Chen measured nutrient availability, defined as the soil's ability to supply critical minerals to vegetation.
- Biochar amendment was administered to test plots containing 12 parts per million of accessible nitrogen initially.
- Conventional fertilizer was administered to test plots containing 11 parts per million of accessible nitrogen initially.
- Following a six-month period, biochar-amended soil exhibited 45 parts per million of accessible nitrogen.
- Following a six-month period, fertilizer-amended soil exhibited 28 parts per million of accessible nitrogen.
The student aims to describe the impact of biochar amendment on soil nutrient concentrations.
Which option most successfully employs pertinent details from the research notes to achieve this objective?
Biochar and conventional fertilizer amendments were both administered to soil plots with comparable baseline nitrogen concentrations of roughly 11-12 parts per million.
Dr. Chen's biochar amendment elevated soil nitrogen accessibility from 12 to 45 parts per million, illustrating the treatment's efficacy in enhancing nutrient capacity.
Environmental researcher Dr. James Chen assessed nutrient availability through measurements of the soil's ability to supply critical minerals to vegetation.
Both biochar-amended plots and fertilizer-amended plots exhibited elevated accessible nitrogen levels following six months of treatment.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Environmental researcher Dr. James Chen conducted experiments with soil treatments on polluted farmland.' |
|
| 'Chen measured nutrient availability, defined as the soil's ability to supply critical minerals to vegetation.' |
|
| 'Biochar amendment was administered to test plots containing 12 parts per million of accessible nitrogen initially.' |
|
| 'Conventional fertilizer was administered to test plots containing 11 parts per million of accessible nitrogen initially.' |
|
| 'Following a six-month period, biochar-amended soil exhibited 45 parts per million of accessible nitrogen.' |
|
| 'Following a six-month period, fertilizer-amended soil exhibited 28 parts per million of accessible nitrogen.' |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Chen's experiment compared two soil treatments and measured their effects on nitrogen availability over six months.
Argument Flow: The notes establish Chen's experimental framework, define what he measured, then provide before-and-after data for both treatments. The data shows biochar increased nitrogen from 12 to 45 ppm while conventional fertilizer increased nitrogen from 11 to 28 ppm, suggesting biochar was more effective.
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 student wants to describe biochar's impact specifically, so the right answer should include biochar's actual numerical results from the experiment
- It should show the change that occurred - biochar took soil from 12 ppm to 45 ppm nitrogen
- The answer might also indicate that this represents an improvement or enhancement
- Since we're describing biochar's impact specifically (not comparing treatments), the focus should be on biochar's performance rather than just mentioning both treatments
- The right answer should show biochar's specific numerical impact on nitrogen levels and indicate this represents an improvement in soil nutrient capacity
Biochar and conventional fertilizer amendments were both administered to soil plots with comparable baseline nitrogen concentrations of roughly 11-12 parts per million.
- Focuses only on baseline conditions (11-12 ppm starting points)
- Doesn't show any impact or results from the treatments
- Fails to describe what biochar actually accomplished
Dr. Chen's biochar amendment elevated soil nitrogen accessibility from 12 to 45 parts per million, illustrating the treatment's efficacy in enhancing nutrient capacity.
- Provides biochar's specific numerical impact: 'from 12 to 45 parts per million'
- Uses precise data from the research notes
- Describes this as demonstrating 'efficacy in enhancing nutrient capacity'
- Directly addresses the goal of describing biochar's impact on soil nutrients
Environmental researcher Dr. James Chen assessed nutrient availability through measurements of the soil's ability to supply critical minerals to vegetation.
- Describes Chen's measurement method rather than results
- Doesn't show biochar's impact on nutrient concentrations
- Focuses on methodology instead of outcomes
Both biochar-amended plots and fertilizer-amended plots exhibited elevated accessible nitrogen levels following six months of treatment.
- Mentions both treatments generally but doesn't specify biochar's impact
- Lacks the specific numerical data that would show biochar's effectiveness
- Too vague to demonstrate biochar's particular impact on soil nutrients