An education researcher has gathered the following data while examining academic outcomes:Graduation rates show considerable variation among school di...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
An education researcher has gathered the following data while examining academic outcomes:
- Graduation rates show considerable variation among school districts throughout the state.
- Student achievement is evaluated using standardized test results and graduation statistics.
- Last year, Riverside District attained an \(89\%\) graduation rate.
- Mountain View District documented a \(76\%\) graduation rate.
- Coastal Valley District achieved a \(94\%\) graduation rate.
The researcher seeks to identify which district exhibits the highest academic achievement using graduation rate data.
Which option best utilizes the provided data to achieve this objective?
Coastal Valley District achieved a 94% graduation rate, surpassing the rates of both Riverside and Mountain View districts.
Riverside District's 89% graduation rate exceeds Mountain View District's rate of 76%.
Student achievement differs among districts such as Riverside, Mountain View, and Coastal Valley.
Mountain View District attained a 76% graduation rate, a significant indicator of academic achievement statewide.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Graduation rates show considerable variation among school districts throughout the state.' |
|
| 'Student achievement is evaluated using standardized test results and graduation statistics.' |
|
| 'Last year, Riverside District attained an 89% graduation rate.' |
|
| 'Mountain View District documented a 76% graduation rate.' |
|
| 'Coastal Valley District achieved a 94% graduation rate.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The researcher has collected graduation rate data from three districts showing different achievement levels (ranging from 76% to 94%).
Argument Flow: The passage establishes that graduation rates vary across districts, explains that these rates are used to measure academic achievement, then provides specific data for three districts with notably different performance levels.
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
- Looking at our data, we have three graduation rates: Coastal Valley at 94%, Riverside at 89%, and Mountain View at 76%
- The researcher wants to identify which district shows the highest academic achievement
- The right answer should:
- Identify Coastal Valley as having the highest graduation rate (94%)
- Show how this rate compares to the other districts
- Directly accomplish the researcher's goal of identifying the top-performing district
Coastal Valley District achieved a 94% graduation rate, surpassing the rates of both Riverside and Mountain View districts.
✓ Correct
- Identifies Coastal Valley's 94% rate as the highest
- Explicitly states it 'surpassing' both other districts
- Directly accomplishes the researcher's goal of identifying the highest-achieving district
Riverside District's 89% graduation rate exceeds Mountain View District's rate of 76%.
✗ Incorrect
- Only compares Riverside (89%) to Mountain View (76%)
- Completely ignores Coastal Valley's 94% rate
- Fails to identify the actual highest-performing district
Student achievement differs among districts such as Riverside, Mountain View, and Coastal Valley.
✗ Incorrect
- Makes a general statement about differences existing
- Doesn't identify which district is highest
- Fails to use the specific graduation rate data meaningfully
Mountain View District attained a 76% graduation rate, a significant indicator of academic achievement statewide.
✗ Incorrect
- Only mentions Mountain View's 76% rate
- Doesn't compare it to other districts
- Fails to identify the highest-performing district