While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:In 1969, marine biologist Sylvia Earle led the first all-female...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- In 1969, marine biologist Sylvia Earle led the first all-female underwater research mission.
- The Tektite II project placed Earle and four other female scientists in an underwater habitat.
- The team lived 50 feet beneath the ocean surface for two weeks.
- Their research focused on marine ecosystems in the Virgin Islands.
- The mission broke barriers for women in deep-sea research.
- NASA later used insights from the project for space mission planning.
The student wants to emphasize the depth at which the research was conducted. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
NASA later used insights from Earle's underwater research for space mission planning.
Sylvia Earle and her team conducted their research 50 feet beneath the ocean surface for two weeks.
The 1969 Tektite II project was the first all-female underwater research mission.
The team's research in the Virgin Islands focused on marine ecosystems and broke barriers for women.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "In 1969, marine biologist Sylvia Earle led the first all-female underwater research mission." |
|
| "The Tektite II project placed Earle and four other female scientists in an underwater habitat." |
|
| "The team lived 50 feet beneath the ocean surface for two weeks." |
|
| "Their research focused on marine ecosystems in the Virgin Islands." |
|
| "The mission broke barriers for women in deep-sea research." |
|
| "NASA later used insights from the project for space mission planning." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The notes document Sylvia Earle's groundbreaking 1969 underwater research mission that advanced both marine science and women's roles in deep-sea research.
Argument Flow: The notes begin with the historical context of the first all-female underwater mission, then provide specific project details including depth and duration, research focus, and conclude with its broader significance for both gender equality and future space exploration applications.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? We need to select information that emphasizes the depth at which the research was conducted.
What type of answer do we need? A choice that highlights the specific depth measurement from the notes.
Any limiting keywords? "Emphasize" tells us we need to prioritize depth information over other details about the mission.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- From our analysis, only one piece of information directly addresses depth: the team lived 50 feet beneath the ocean surface
- To emphasize depth, the correct answer must include this specific measurement and make it prominent rather than focusing on other aspects like the all-female nature of the mission, the research focus, or NASA's later use of the findings
NASA later used insights from Earle's underwater research for space mission planning.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses entirely on NASA's later use of the research for space missions
- Contains no information about depth whatsoever
Sylvia Earle and her team conducted their research 50 feet beneath the ocean surface for two weeks.
✓ Correct
- Directly states "50 feet beneath the ocean surface" - the only depth measurement in the notes
- Combines this depth information with the duration
- Successfully emphasizes the depth at which the research was conducted
The 1969 Tektite II project was the first all-female underwater research mission.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on the historical significance and the 1969 date
- Contains no depth information
The team's research in the Virgin Islands focused on marine ecosystems and broke barriers for women.
✗ Incorrect
- Emphasizes the research location and focus
- Completely omits any depth measurement