A student conducting research has compiled the following notes on a topic:Louisiana's coastal wetland systems have undergone substantial deterioration...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
A student conducting research has compiled the following notes on a topic:
- Louisiana's coastal wetland systems have undergone substantial deterioration beginning in the 1930s as a result of industrial expansion and environmental changes.
- These wetland areas function as essential habitats supporting migratory bird populations and aquatic wildlife.
- Dr. Maria Santos specializes in marine biology and wetland restoration.
- In 2005, she founded the Gulf Coast Conservation Initiative.
- Dr. James Chen works as an environmental scientist and advocates for coastal preservation.
- In 2005, he founded the Louisiana Wetland Recovery Project.
The student aims to highlight the chronology and goals of Santos's and Chen's conservation work. Which option best utilizes pertinent information from the notes to achieve this objective?
Since 2005, Dr. Maria Santos and Dr. James Chen have worked to restore Louisiana's coastal wetlands through their conservation initiatives.
Dr. Maria Santos and Dr. James Chen have focused on protecting the crucial habitat that Louisiana wetlands provide for migratory birds and marine species.
The Gulf Coast Conservation Initiative and Louisiana Wetland Recovery Project address wetland degradation that has occurred in Louisiana since the 1930s.
Louisiana's coastal wetlands, which serve as habitat for migratory birds and marine species, have faced degradation due to industrial development and climate change.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Louisiana's coastal wetland systems have undergone substantial deterioration beginning in the 1930s as a result of industrial expansion and environmental changes." |
|
| "These wetland areas function as essential habitats supporting migratory bird populations and aquatic wildlife." |
|
| "Dr. Maria Santos specializes in marine biology and wetland restoration." |
|
| "In 2005, she founded the Gulf Coast Conservation Initiative." |
|
| "Dr. James Chen works as an environmental scientist and advocates for coastal preservation." |
|
| "In 2005, he founded the Louisiana Wetland Recovery Project." |
|
Main Point: Louisiana's declining wetlands prompted two experts to launch conservation initiatives in 2005 to address the environmental crisis.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? We need to find the option that best uses the research notes to highlight both the chronology (timing) and goals (objectives) of Santos's and Chen's conservation work.
What type of answer do we need? A statement that effectively combines information from the notes to show when Santos and Chen started their work and what they're trying to achieve.
Any limiting keywords? Yes - we must highlight BOTH chronology AND goals of their conservation work, and we must use pertinent information from the notes.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The correct answer must include timing information about when Santos and Chen started their conservation efforts (2005 from the notes) and must clearly indicate what their conservation goals are (restoration/preservation work)
- It should connect both experts to their specific initiatives and show they're working toward similar environmental objectives
Since 2005, Dr. Maria Santos and Dr. James Chen have worked to restore Louisiana's coastal wetlands through their conservation initiatives.
- Captures the chronology perfectly with "Since 2005" and shows their shared goals of restoration through "worked to restore Louisiana's coastal wetlands"
- Connects both experts to their conservation initiatives using pertinent information directly from the notes
Dr. Maria Santos and Dr. James Chen have focused on protecting the crucial habitat that Louisiana wetlands provide for migratory birds and marine species.
- Addresses their goals (protecting habitat for wildlife) using information from the notes but completely missing the chronology element - no mention of timing or when they started their work
The Gulf Coast Conservation Initiative and Louisiana Wetland Recovery Project address wetland degradation that has occurred in Louisiana since the 1930s.
- Mentions the project names and references the 1930s timeline for wetland degradation but fails to clearly connect Santos and Chen as the founders of these respective initiatives
- The 1930s reference is about when the problem started, not when Santos and Chen began their work
Louisiana's coastal wetlands, which serve as habitat for migratory birds and marine species, have faced degradation due to industrial development and climate change.
- Focuses entirely on the wetland problem and habitat importance but makes no mention of Santos, Chen, or their conservation work at all
- Doesn't address either chronology or goals of the two experts' work