While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Marine bioluminescence research was limited before the 1980s due to...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Marine bioluminescence research was limited before the 1980s due to technological constraints.
- Dr. Edith Widder was born in 1951 and completed her graduate work in marine biology in 1975.
- She launched her first major bioluminescence research project in 1982.
- Dr. William Beebe was born in 1877 and studied marine life throughout the early-to-mid 1900s.
- He documented bioluminescent organisms during bathysphere dives in 1934, but lacked tools for detailed study.
- The field of bioluminescence research expanded significantly after 1990 with advanced deep-sea technology.
The student wants to emphasize the pioneering timing of Dr. Widder's research entry. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Dr. Widder's 1982 bioluminescence project positioned her among the early researchers entering this field before it expanded significantly in the 1990s.
Dr. Edith Widder launched her bioluminescence research in 1982, nearly fifty years after Dr. William Beebe's initial documentation in 1934.
When Dr. Widder began her research project in 1982, she built upon earlier work by scientists like Dr. William Beebe, who was born in 1877.
Both Dr. Widder and Dr. Beebe studied bioluminescent organisms, but Widder had access to more advanced technology for her 1982 research.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Marine bioluminescence research was limited before the 1980s due to technological constraints.' |
|
| 'Dr. Edith Widder was born in 1951 and completed her graduate work in marine biology in 1975.' |
|
| 'She launched her first major bioluminescence research project in 1982.' |
|
| 'Dr. William Beebe was born in 1877 and studied marine life throughout the early-to-mid 1900s.' |
|
| 'He documented bioluminescent organisms during bathysphere dives in 1934, but lacked tools for detailed study.' |
|
| 'The field of bioluminescence research expanded significantly after 1990 with advanced deep-sea technology.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The notes provide a timeline showing Dr. Widder entered bioluminescence research in 1982, positioned between the field early technological limitations and its major expansion in the 1990s.
Argument Flow: The notes establish the field historical constraints, introduce Dr. Widder entry point in 1982, provide historical context through Dr. Beebe earlier but limited work, and conclude with the field significant growth after 1990, creating a clear timeline that positions Widder research timing.
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 timeline, we can see that Widder entered in 1982, which was right after the field became technologically feasible (post-1980s) but before it really took off (pre-1990s expansion)
- To emphasize pioneering timing, the right answer should show that she got in at an optimal early moment - after the constraints were lifted but before the major wave of researchers arrived
- The right answer should position her entry as strategically timed at the beginning of the field viable period, essentially showing she was among the first to enter when it became possible to do meaningful research
Dr. Widder's 1982 bioluminescence project positioned her among the early researchers entering this field before it expanded significantly in the 1990s.
✓ Correct
- Directly emphasizes the timing aspect by positioning her among the early researchers and uses the 1990s expansion as a reference point to show she entered before the major growth
Dr. Edith Widder launched her bioluminescence research in 1982, nearly fifty years after Dr. William Beebe's initial documentation in 1934.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on the time gap between Widder and Beebe rather than emphasizing pioneering timing
- The nearly fifty years comparison does not highlight why 1982 was strategically early
When Dr. Widder began her research project in 1982, she built upon earlier work by scientists like Dr. William Beebe, who was born in 1877.
✗ Incorrect
- Emphasizes building on previous work rather than pioneering timing
- Mentions Beebe birth year which is irrelevant to Widder timing advantage
Both Dr. Widder and Dr. Beebe studied bioluminescent organisms, but Widder had access to more advanced technology for her 1982 research.
✗ Incorrect
- Compares technology access but does not emphasize when Widder entered relative to field development
- The focus is on technological advantages rather than timing within the field evolution