Marine biologist Dr. Sarah Chen spent three years observing coral reef ecosystems in the Caribbean. Her detailed field notes about...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Marine biologist Dr. Sarah Chen spent three years observing coral reef ecosystems in the Caribbean. Her detailed field notes about symbiotic relationships between different species eventually _____ her groundbreaking research methodology. For instance, Chen developed her innovative multi-species tracking system after noticing how certain fish species consistently followed predictable patterns around coral formations.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
shaped
complicated
delayed
contradicted
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Marine biologist Dr. Sarah Chen spent three years observing coral reef ecosystems in the Caribbean." |
|
| "Her detailed field notes about symbiotic relationships between different species eventually ______ her groundbreaking research methodology." |
|
| "For instance, Chen developed her innovative multi-species tracking system after noticing how certain fish species consistently followed predictable patterns around coral formations." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map: [RESEARCHER BACKGROUND] Chen's 3-year Caribbean reef study → [MAIN RELATIONSHIP] Field notes [MISSING CONNECTOR] research methodology → [CONCRETE EXAMPLE] Fish patterns → New tracking system
Main Point: Dr. Chen's detailed field observations influenced the development of her innovative research methods.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes Chen as a dedicated researcher, then indicates her field notes had some important relationship to her methodology, and finally provides a concrete example showing how her observations directly led to methodological innovations.
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
- Looking at our passage analysis, we need a word that describes what Chen's field notes did to her research methodology
- The key evidence comes from the example: Chen developed her tracking system "after noticing" fish patterns
- This shows her observations directly influenced and formed her methods
- The relationship we need is: detailed observations → influenced/formed → innovative methodology
- So the right answer should indicate that her field notes influenced, formed, or guided the development of her research methodology
shaped
✓ Correct
- "Shaped" means influenced the development or form of something
- This perfectly captures how Chen's detailed observations influenced and formed her research methodology
- Matches our prethinking that her notes guided the development of her methods
complicated
✗ Incorrect
- Would suggest her notes made her methodology more difficult or complex
- Contradicts the positive tone and the example showing productive innovation
- What trap this represents: Students might think detailed notes naturally make research more complicated, but the passage shows the opposite - they led to breakthrough innovations
delayed
✗ Incorrect
- Would suggest her notes postponed or held back her methodology development
- Contradicts the word "eventually" which implies progression, not obstruction
- The example shows notes leading to innovation, not delays
contradicted
✗ Incorrect
- Would suggest her notes went against or opposed her methodology
- Makes no logical sense - why would a researcher's own observations contradict their methods?
- The example clearly shows notes supporting methodological development