While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:From Earth, all the meteors in a meteor shower appear...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- From Earth, all the meteors in a meteor shower appear to originate from a single spot in the sky.
- This spot is called the meteor shower's radiant.
- The Perseid meteor shower is visible in the northern hemisphere in July and August.
- Like many meteor showers, it is named for the location of its radiant.
- Its radiant is located within the constellation Perseus.
The student wants to explain the origin of the Perseid meteor shower's name. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
The Perseid meteor shower is named for the constellation Perseus, the location of the meteor shower's radiant.
A meteor shower's name may be linked to a single spot in the sky.
The Perseid meteor shower, which has a radiant, is visible in the northern hemisphere in July and August.
From Earth, all the meteors in a meteor shower appear to originate from a radiant, such as the one within Perseus.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "From Earth, all the meteors in a meteor shower appear to originate from a single spot in the sky." |
|
| "This spot is called the meteor shower's radiant." |
|
| "The Perseid meteor shower is visible in the northern hemisphere in July and August." |
|
| "Like many meteor showers, it is named for the location of its radiant." |
|
| "Its radiant is located within the constellation Perseus." |
|
Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Meteor showers are typically named after the constellation where their radiant is located.
Argument Flow: The notes establish that meteor showers appear from a single spot called the radiant, then explain that showers are named after their radiant location, using the Perseid shower as an example with its radiant in Perseus.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Explain the origin of the Perseid meteor shower's name.
What type of answer do we need? An explanation connecting the shower's name to relevant information from the notes.
Any limiting keywords? None
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The right answer should connect the name Perseid to the constellation Perseus and explain that this connection exists because Perseus is where the radiant is located.
The Perseid meteor shower is named for the constellation Perseus, the location of the meteor shower's radiant.
✓ Correct
- Directly states the Perseid is named for constellation Perseus and explains this is because Perseus is the location of the radiant.
A meteor shower's name may be linked to a single spot in the sky.
✗ Incorrect
- Makes vague general statement about meteor shower names without mentioning Perseus or Perseid specifically.
The Perseid meteor shower, which has a radiant, is visible in the northern hemisphere in July and August.
✗ Incorrect
- Mentions Perseid shower but focuses on visibility details rather than explaining the name origin.
From Earth, all the meteors in a meteor shower appear to originate from a radiant, such as the one within Perseus.
✗ Incorrect
- Explains radiants in general terms without making the specific connection between Perseid name and Perseus constellation.