Marine biologist Professor James Liu and colleagues observed that Arctic cod populations navigate the seasonal ice formations with a high...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Marine biologist Professor James Liu and colleagues observed that Arctic cod populations navigate the seasonal ice formations with a high degree of ______. Using underwater tracking devices, the research team documented that the fish consistently located optimal feeding grounds even when ice coverage shifted dramatically, successfully avoiding areas of depleted resources.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
unpredictability
fragility
precision
irregularity
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Marine biologist Professor James Liu and colleagues observed that Arctic cod populations navigate the seasonal ice formations with a high degree of ________." |
|
| "Using underwater tracking devices, the research team documented that the fish consistently located optimal feeding grounds even when ice coverage shifted dramatically, successfully avoiding areas of depleted resources." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Arctic cod demonstrate skilled navigation abilities when moving through changing ice formations.
Argument Flow: The passage presents a research observation about Arctic cod navigation that requires a descriptive word, then immediately provides concrete evidence showing the cod's consistent success in finding good feeding areas and avoiding poor ones, even when ice conditions change dramatically.
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 missing word needs to describe how Arctic cod navigate seasonal ice formations
- Based on the evidence provided, the cod "consistently located optimal feeding grounds even when ice coverage shifted dramatically" and "successfully avoiding areas of depleted resources"
- This shows they navigate with accuracy, skill, and reliability
- So the right answer should describe navigation that is accurate, skillful, and reliable
unpredictability
- "Unpredictability" suggests random or inconsistent behavior
- This directly contradicts the evidence that cod "consistently located optimal feeding grounds"
fragility
- "Fragility" refers to being easily broken or delicate
- This doesn't make logical sense in the context of describing navigation behavior
precision
- "Precision" means accuracy and exactness in actions
- This perfectly matches the evidence that cod consistently find optimal feeding grounds and avoid poor areas
irregularity
- "Irregularity" suggests inconsistent or unpredictable patterns
- Like choice A, this contradicts the evidence of "consistently" locating good feeding grounds