While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:In North America, woodlands have expanded into areas that were...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- In North America, woodlands have expanded into areas that were once grasslands.
- Thomas Rogers and F. Leland Russell of Wichita State University investigated whether woodland expansion is related to changes in climate.
- Rogers and Russell analyzed core samples from oak trees on a site that was not wooded in the past and indexed the age of the trees with historical climate data to see if tree populations and climate were correlated.
- Tree population growth was associated with dry intervals.
- Droughts may have played a role in woodland expansion.
The student wants to emphasize the aim of the research study. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Thomas Rogers and F. Leland Russell, researchers at Wichita State University, wanted to know if woodland expansion is related to changes in climate.
Thanks to the work done by Thomas Rogers and F. Leland Russell, we now know that droughts may have played a role in woodland expansion.
Wichita State University researchers have determined that tree population growth was associated with dry intervals.
Thomas Rogers and F. Leland Russell analyzed core samples from oak trees on a site that was not wooded in the past, indexing the age of the trees with historical climate data.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'In North America, woodlands have expanded into areas that were once grasslands.' |
|
| 'Thomas Rogers and F. Leland Russell of Wichita State University investigated whether woodland expansion is related to changes in climate.' |
|
| 'Rogers and Russell analyzed core samples from oak trees on a site that was not wooded in the past and indexed the age of the trees with historical climate data to see if tree populations and climate were correlated.' |
|
| 'Tree population growth was associated with dry intervals.' |
|
| 'Droughts may have played a role in woodland expansion.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Researchers investigated whether woodland expansion in North America is connected to climate changes and found evidence that droughts may be responsible.
Argument Flow: The notes establish a clear research progression: starting with an observed phenomenon (woodland expansion), moving to a specific research question about climate connections, describing the methodology used to test this, presenting the key finding about dry intervals, and concluding with the broader implication about droughts role.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The question tells us the student wants to emphasize the aim of the research study.
What type of answer do we need? This is asking us to focus specifically on what Rogers and Russell were trying to find out—their research goal or objective, not their methods, findings, or conclusions.
Any limiting keywords? emphasize the aim of the research study
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- From our analysis, we can see that Rogers and Russell aim was clearly stated: they investigated whether woodland expansion is related to changes in climate
- The right answer should focus on this research question—what they wanted to find out, not what they discovered or how they did it
Thomas Rogers and F. Leland Russell, researchers at Wichita State University, wanted to know if woodland expansion is related to changes in climate.
✓ Correct - States exactly what they wanted to know—whether woodland expansion relates to climate changes
- Directly addresses their research aim, which matches what the question asks for
Thanks to the work done by Thomas Rogers and F. Leland Russell, we now know that droughts may have played a role in woodland expansion.
✗ Incorrect - Focuses on what we now know—emphasizing the results/conclusions rather than the aim
- Talks about their findings about droughts, not their original research question
Wichita State University researchers have determined that tree population growth was associated with dry intervals.
✗ Incorrect - States what researchers have determined—again focusing on results rather than aims
- Presents a specific finding about dry intervals, not their research goal
Thomas Rogers and F. Leland Russell analyzed core samples from oak trees on a site that was not wooded in the past, indexing the age of the trees with historical climate data.
✗ Incorrect - Describes what they analyzed—focusing on their methodology rather than their aim
- Details their research process but does not mention what they were trying to find out