Marine biologist Dr. Sarah Chen has chosen to use citizen science volunteers to collect data on coral reef health across...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Marine biologist Dr. Sarah Chen has chosen to use citizen science volunteers to collect data on coral reef health across multiple research sites simultaneously. This approach represents _____ methodology because several major marine conservation breakthroughs, including the mapping of coral bleaching patterns and tracking of fish population changes, have resulted from large-scale volunteer data collection efforts.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
an experimental
a validated
a controversial
a speculative
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Marine biologist Dr. Sarah Chen has chosen to use citizen science volunteers to collect data on coral reef health across multiple research sites simultaneously." |
|
| "This approach represents ______ methodology because" |
|
| "several major marine conservation breakthroughs, including the mapping of coral bleaching patterns and tracking of fish population changes, have resulted from large-scale volunteer data collection efforts." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Sarah Chen's use of citizen science volunteers represents a methodology that can be characterized based on the successful track record of similar approaches.
Argument Flow: The passage presents Dr. Chen's research approach, then provides a logical reason for how we should characterize this methodology based on documented successes.
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
- We need a word that describes Dr. Chen's methodology based on the evidence provided
- The passage tells us that several major breakthroughs have resulted from similar volunteer data collection efforts
- This means similar approaches have been successful and proven effective
- The right answer should describe a methodology that has been shown to work through past successes
an experimental
✗ Incorrect
- suggests something untested or new
- This contradicts evidence that similar approaches have already produced breakthroughs
a validated
✓ Correct
- means proven or confirmed through evidence
- Perfectly matches our reasoning - the methodology has been validated by past successes
- The evidence of breakthroughs from similar efforts confirms this approach works
a controversial
✗ Incorrect
- suggests the methodology is disputed
- Nothing in the passage indicates disagreement about this approach
a speculative
✗ Incorrect
- suggests theoretical or unproven
- This contradicts the concrete evidence of past breakthroughs