Marine biologist Dr. Elena Rodriguez has been studying coral reef ecosystems in the Bahamas. During her underwater surveys, Rodriguez observed...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Marine biologist Dr. Elena Rodriguez has been studying coral reef ecosystems in the Bahamas. During her underwater surveys, Rodriguez observed coral formations displaying distinct growth rings and layered structures. She noted that some coral heads contained thick, established bases topped with newer, thinner growth sections. The presence of both mature coral foundations and recent growth layers within the same structures convinced Rodriguez that these reef systems had been developing continuously for many decades.
According to the text, why does Rodriguez believe the reef systems have been developing continuously for many decades?
She observed coral formations displaying distinct growth rings and layered structures.
The coral heads contained both thick, established bases and newer, thinner growth sections within the same structures.
Some coral formations showed evidence of thick bases topped with thin sections.
Rodriguez has been studying coral reef ecosystems in the Bahamas.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Marine biologist Dr. Elena Rodriguez has been studying coral reef ecosystems in the Bahamas." |
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| "During her underwater surveys, Rodriguez observed coral formations displaying distinct growth rings and layered structures." |
|
| "She noted that some coral heads contained thick, established bases topped with newer, thinner growth sections." |
|
| "The presence of both mature coral foundations and recent growth layers within the same structures convinced Rodriguez that these reef systems had been developing continuously for many decades." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map: Background Context: Rodriguez studying coral reefs in Bahamas leads to Observations: Growth rings and layered structures plus thick bases and thin newer sections leads to Conclusion and Reasoning: Both old and new in same structures equals continuous development
Main Point: Rodriguez concluded that coral reef systems have been developing continuously for decades based on finding both old and new growth within the same coral structures.
Argument Flow: The passage introduces Rodriguez and her research location, then presents her observations of coral formations with rings, layers, and mixed old/new growth sections. Finally, it explains that the combination of mature and recent growth within individual structures led her to conclude the reefs have been developing continuously for decades.
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 passage tells us that Rodriguez was "convinced" by something specific
- That something was "the presence of both mature coral foundations and recent growth layers within the same structures"
- This combination of old and new growth in individual coral formations is what led to her conclusion
- The answer should capture this dual nature - both old AND new growth existing together
- So the right answer should explain that Rodriguez's belief comes from finding evidence of both old established growth and new recent growth within the same coral structures
She observed coral formations displaying distinct growth rings and layered structures.
- This mentions her observations of growth rings and layered structures
- While true, this describes what she observed generally, not the specific reason for her conclusion
- The passage says she was convinced by the presence of BOTH old and new growth together, not just rings and layers
The coral heads contained both thick, established bases and newer, thinner growth sections within the same structures.
- This captures exactly what the passage states convinced Rodriguez
- References both the "thick, established bases" (old growth) and "newer, thinner growth sections" (new growth)
- Includes the crucial detail "within the same structures" which matches the passage's reasoning
- This directly answers why she believes in continuous development - because she found evidence of different time periods of growth in individual corals
Some coral formations showed evidence of thick bases topped with thin sections.
- This is similar to choice B but misses key elements
- Says "some coral formations" rather than focusing on what convinced her
- Doesn't emphasize the "within the same structures" aspect that was central to her reasoning
Rodriguez has been studying coral reef ecosystems in the Bahamas.
- This is just background information about Rodriguez's research location
- Has nothing to do with why she reached her specific conclusion about continuous development
- Completely misses the evidence-based reasoning the question asks about