During academic research, a student compiled the following observations:Linguist Dr. Maria Santos conducted research on traditional dialect maintenanc...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
During academic research, a student compiled the following observations:
- Linguist Dr. Maria Santos conducted research on traditional dialect maintenance within rural populations.
- Santos evaluated preservation levels by calculating what proportion of ancestral vocabulary remains actively spoken in various regions.
- Santos discovered that mountainous settlements preserved \(89\%\) of their original dialectal expressions.
- Her research revealed that lowland communities sustained merely \(23\%\) of their historic linguistic characteristics.
- Areas demonstrating elevated preservation levels exhibited more robust cultural consistency throughout.
- These disparities in linguistic maintenance corresponded to different extents of separation from metropolitan areas.
The student aims to compare the preservation levels found in mountainous settlements versus those in lowland communities.
Which option most successfully employs pertinent details from the observations to achieve this objective?
Although mountainous settlements preserved 89% of their original dialectal expressions, lowland communities demonstrated substantial linguistic transformation, sustaining only 23% of historic characteristics.
Dr. Santos evaluated preservation levels by examining what proportion of ancestral vocabulary remains actively spoken within various populations.
Mountainous settlements and lowland communities demonstrated varying degrees of linguistic maintenance, with elevated preservation indicating more robust cultural consistency.
The preservation levels Santos documented in both mountainous settlements and lowland communities were affected by each area's separation from metropolitan centers.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Linguist Dr. Maria Santos conducted research on traditional dialect maintenance within rural populations." |
|
| "Santos evaluated preservation levels by calculating what proportion of ancestral vocabulary remains actively spoken in various regions." |
|
| "Santos discovered that mountainous settlements preserved 89% of their original dialectal expressions." |
|
| "Her research revealed that lowland communities sustained merely 23% of their historic linguistic characteristics." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Santos's research found dramatic differences in dialect preservation between mountainous (89%) and lowland (23%) communities.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which option best uses relevant details to compare preservation levels in mountainous vs. lowland communities.
What type of answer do we need? A statement that effectively presents both preservation levels to achieve the comparison goal.
Any limiting keywords? None specified.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The right answer should include the specific preservation percentages for both mountainous settlements (89%) and lowland communities (23%) and directly contrast these findings.
Although mountainous settlements preserved 89% of their original dialectal expressions, lowland communities demonstrated substantial linguistic transformation, sustaining only 23% of historic characteristics.
✓ Correct
- Includes both specific percentages (89% for mountains, 23% for lowlands) and directly contrasts the preservation levels
- This provides exactly the data needed for comparison
Dr. Santos evaluated preservation levels by examining what proportion of ancestral vocabulary remains actively spoken within various populations.
✗ Incorrect
- Only describes Santos's methodology, not the actual findings
- Doesn't provide preservation levels for comparison
Mountainous settlements and lowland communities demonstrated varying degrees of linguistic maintenance, with elevated preservation indicating more robust cultural consistency.
✗ Incorrect
- Uses vague language instead of specific data
- Doesn't provide the concrete details needed for numerical comparison
The preservation levels Santos documented in both mountainous settlements and lowland communities were affected by each area's separation from metropolitan centers.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on explanations rather than the preservation levels themselves
- Doesn't include the specific percentages that enable comparison