While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:In 2020, Maria Rodriguez and her research team in Portland...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
In 2020, Maria Rodriguez and her research team in Portland studied the relationship between green infrastructure and urban heat reduction.
They examined temperature data from neighborhoods with varying amounts of tree coverage and green spaces.
- In areas with minimal green infrastructure, average summer temperatures were 8-10 degrees higher than regional averages.
- In moderately green neighborhoods, temperatures averaged 4-5 degrees above regional norms.
- In heavily forested districts, temperatures remained at or below regional averages.
The student wants to summarize the study. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Maria Rodriguez's 2020 Portland study revealed that increased green infrastructure led to lower urban temperatures.
For their 2020 research, Maria Rodriguez and her team gathered temperature data from Portland neighborhoods with different levels of green infrastructure.
Maria Rodriguez wanted to understand how green spaces affected urban heating, so she analyzed temperature patterns across Portland.
Understanding that cities often experience heat islands, Maria Rodriguez studied temperature variations, finding some areas averaged 8-10 degrees above normal.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'In 2020, Maria Rodriguez and her research team in Portland studied the relationship between green infrastructure and urban heat reduction.' |
|
| 'They examined temperature data from neighborhoods with varying amounts of tree coverage and green spaces.' |
|
| 'In areas with minimal green infrastructure, average summer temperatures were 8-10 degrees higher than regional averages.' |
|
| 'In moderately green neighborhoods, temperatures averaged 4-5 degrees above regional norms.' |
|
| 'In heavily forested districts, temperatures remained at or below regional averages.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Rodriguez's study demonstrated that increasing levels of green infrastructure correspond to decreasing urban temperatures.
Argument Flow: The notes establish the study context, explain the methodology of comparing temperature data across neighborhoods with different green infrastructure levels, then present a clear pattern of data showing that more greenery equals cooler temperatures.
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 study shows a clear pattern: as green infrastructure increases, urban temperatures decrease
- A good summary should capture this key finding rather than just describing what the researchers did or their motivations
- The right answer should mention Rodriguez, reference the study's core discovery about the relationship between green infrastructure and temperature, and ideally show that this was a meaningful finding rather than just data collection
Maria Rodriguez's 2020 Portland study revealed that increased green infrastructure led to lower urban temperatures.
✓ Correct
- Captures the study's main finding that increased green infrastructure led to lower temperatures
- Uses relevant information by focusing on the key pattern revealed in the data
- Effectively summarizes by stating the conclusion rather than just methodology
For their 2020 research, Maria Rodriguez and her team gathered temperature data from Portland neighborhoods with different levels of green infrastructure.
✗ Incorrect
- Only describes what they did without mentioning what they found
- Focuses on methodology rather than results
- Students might think this is correct because it accurately describes the research process, but a summary should include findings
Maria Rodriguez wanted to understand how green spaces affected urban heating, so she analyzed temperature patterns across Portland.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on Rodriguez's motivation rather than the study's results
- Doesn't use the specific temperature data from the notes
- Students might choose this because it mentions the research purpose, but it ignores the actual findings
Understanding that cities often experience heat islands, Maria Rodriguez studied temperature variations, finding some areas averaged 8-10 degrees above normal.
✗ Incorrect
- Only mentions one data point without the complete pattern
- Introduces concepts not mentioned in the notes
- Misses the key finding about the relationship between green infrastructure levels and temperature reduction