Hevea brasiliensis, a tree in the Amazon rainforest, is the world's main source of natural rubber. The tree produces a...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Hevea brasiliensis, a tree in the Amazon rainforest, is the world's main source of natural rubber. The tree produces a milky substance called latex that is used to make rubber. The bark of Hevea brasiliensis is helpful for the process of making rubber because it has a unique structure that makes it easy to collect latex. A network of tubes in the tree's inner bark helps the latex to flow out easily when people make small cuts into the bark.
What feature of Hevea brasiliensis does the text say is helpful for the process of making rubber?
Its latex produces rubber of an especially high quality.
Its bark has a unique structure that makes it easy to collect latex.
It is able to grow in a wide variety of climates around the world.
It is one of only two trees in the Amazon that produce latex.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Hevea brasiliensis, a tree in the Amazon rainforest, is the world's main source of natural rubber." |
|
| "The tree produces a milky substance called latex that is used to make rubber." |
|
| "The bark of Hevea brasiliensis is helpful for the process of making rubber because it has a unique structure that makes it easy to collect latex." |
|
| "A network of tubes in the tree's inner bark helps the latex to flow out easily when people make small cuts into the bark." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The bark of Hevea brasiliensis is helpful for rubber production because it has a unique structure that makes latex easy to collect.
Argument Flow: The passage introduces Hevea brasiliensis as the world's main rubber source, then explains that it produces latex for rubber. The key point is that the bark's unique structure makes it helpful for rubber production by enabling easy latex collection, which is supported by details about the inner bark's tube network that allows latex to flow out when cut.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? We need to identify which feature of Hevea brasiliensis the text specifically says is helpful for making rubber.
What type of answer do we need? A specific feature or characteristic that the passage directly states helps with rubber production.
Any limiting keywords? "does the text say" tells us we need something explicitly stated in the passage, not inferred.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The passage clearly states that "The bark of Hevea brasiliensis is helpful for the process of making rubber because it has a unique structure that makes it easy to collect latex."
- This is the only feature the passage explicitly identifies as helpful for rubber production.
- The passage also explains that this unique structure involves tubes in the inner bark that help latex flow out easily.
Its latex produces rubber of an especially high quality.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims the latex produces "especially high quality" rubber.
- The passage never mentions rubber quality at all.
- This introduces information not found in the text.
Its bark has a unique structure that makes it easy to collect latex.
✓ Correct
- States "Its bark has a unique structure that makes it easy to collect latex."
- This directly matches what the passage says about the bark being helpful because of its unique structure.
It is able to grow in a wide variety of climates around the world.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims the tree can "grow in a wide variety of climates around the world."
- The passage only mentions it grows in the Amazon rainforest.
- This contradicts the limited geographic information provided.
It is one of only two trees in the Amazon that produce latex.
✗ Incorrect
- States it's "one of only two trees in the Amazon that produce latex."
- The passage never mentions any other latex-producing trees or gives comparative numbers.