While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:While researching a topic, a student has taken the following...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- In a 2023 study, environmental scientist Jazmin Locke-Rodriguez and colleagues tested the use of floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) in Florida.
- FTWs are artificial floating platforms of plants used to remediate polluted or nutrient-imbalanced water.
- Finding: FTWs using marigold flowers removed 52% more total phosphorus than the control.
- Finding: The test yielded 65 market-quality blooms per square meter.
- The authors concluded marigolds showed 'promising potential as a commercially viable remediating crop cultivated on FTWs in South Florida.'
The student wants to present the findings of the study. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
The authors concluded that marigolds grown on FTWs were 'commercially viable,' having produced 65 blooms per square meter of market-quality blooms in a 2023 study.
In a 2023 study, Locke-Rodriguez and colleagues found that marigolds cultivated on FTWs produced 52% more market-quality flower blooms than the control.
Locke-Rodriguez and colleagues found that FTWs using marigolds not only helped remove phosphorus from the water but also yielded market-quality blooms.
FTWs using marigolds, Locke-Rodriguez and colleagues found, yielded 65 flower blooms and removed 52% of phosphorus from the water.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "In a 2023 study, environmental scientist Jazmin Locke-Rodriguez and colleagues tested the use of floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) in Florida." |
|
| "FTWs are artificial floating platforms of plants used to remediate polluted or nutrient-imbalanced water." |
|
| "Finding: FTWs using marigold flowers removed 52% more total phosphorus than the control." |
|
| "Finding: The test yielded 65 market-quality blooms per square meter." |
|
| "The authors concluded marigolds showed 'promising potential as a commercially viable remediating crop cultivated on FTWs in South Florida.'" |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: A 2023 study found that marigold-based floating treatment wetlands both effectively remove phosphorus from water and produce commercially viable flowers.
Argument Flow: The research establishes what FTWs are, then presents two complementary findings - environmental remediation effectiveness and commercial flower production - leading to the authors conclusion about commercial viability.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The student wants to present the findings of the study. The question asks which choice most effectively presents the study findings using relevant information from the notes.
What type of answer do we need? This focuses specifically on the research results, not the context or conclusions.
Any limiting keywords? N/A
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The correct answer must accurately present the study findings
- Based on our analysis, the study had two main findings:
- Environmental effectiveness: FTWs with marigolds removed 52% more phosphorus than the control
- Commercial viability: The system yielded 65 market-quality blooms per square meter
- The right answer should present both findings accurately without distorting the data
The authors concluded that marigolds grown on FTWs were 'commercially viable,' having produced 65 blooms per square meter of market-quality blooms in a 2023 study.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims marigolds were commercially viable and produced 65 blooms per square meter
- Mixes the authors conclusion with one specific finding
- Misses the key environmental finding about phosphorus removal
In a 2023 study, Locke-Rodriguez and colleagues found that marigolds cultivated on FTWs produced 52% more market-quality flower blooms than the control.
✗ Incorrect
- Says marigolds produced 52% more market-quality flower blooms than control
- Completely wrong - the 52% refers to phosphorus removal, not bloom production
Locke-Rodriguez and colleagues found that FTWs using marigolds not only helped remove phosphorus from the water but also yielded market-quality blooms.
✓ Correct
- Accurately states that FTWs using marigolds both removed phosphorus AND yielded market-quality blooms
- Captures both major findings without distorting the data
FTWs using marigolds, Locke-Rodriguez and colleagues found, yielded 65 flower blooms and removed 52% of phosphorus from the water.
✗ Incorrect
- Says the system removed 52% of phosphorus - wrong, it was 52% MORE than control
- Misreads comparative data as absolute measurements