Marine conservation researchers track endangered sea turtle populations using temporary monitoring devices that must be retrieved during specific coll...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Marine conservation researchers track endangered sea turtle populations using temporary monitoring devices that must be retrieved during specific collection windows for data analysis. Turtles that miss scheduled collection appointments face no immediate consequences but become ineligible for advanced monitoring equipment in future research cycles. Dr. Elena Martinez observed that deep-water turtle species miss collection appointments more frequently than shallow-water species, even though deep-water species encounter collection stations more regularly during their migration patterns. Dr. Martinez proposes this behavior demonstrates an adaptive response that maximizes energy conservation per monitoring interaction.
Which observation would most strongly support Dr. Martinez's proposal?
Deep-water species typically migrate longer distances than shallow-water species but maintain more predictable seasonal movement patterns.
Energy expenditure required for deep-water species to approach collection stations is significant but approximately equivalent whether they visit one station or several stations within the same geographic region.
Shallow-water turtle species generally carry lighter monitoring devices than deep-water species due to different diving depth requirements.
Collection stations in deep-water regions operate less frequently than those in shallow-water areas due to challenging research vessel accessibility.
I'll solve this step-by-step, following the systematic process to help you understand exactly how to approach Command of Evidence questions.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Marine conservation researchers track endangered sea turtle populations using temporary monitoring devices that must be retrieved during specific collection windows for data analysis." |
|
| "Turtles that miss scheduled collection appointments face no immediate consequences but become ineligible for advanced monitoring equipment in future research cycles." |
|
| "Dr. Elena Martinez observed that deep-water turtle species miss collection appointments more frequently than shallow-water species, even though deep-water species encounter collection stations more regularly during their migration patterns." |
|
| "Dr. Martinez proposes this behavior demonstrates an adaptive response that maximizes energy conservation per monitoring interaction." |
|
Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Martinez proposes that deep-water sea turtle species strategically miss monitoring appointments as an energy conservation strategy, despite encountering collection stations more frequently than shallow-water species.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes the monitoring system and its consequences, then presents a counterintuitive observation about deep-water species behavior, and concludes with Dr. Martinez's hypothesis that this represents adaptive energy management rather than random behavior.
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
- Dr. Martinez's proposal is that deep-water turtles are being strategically selective about appointments to maximize energy conservation
- For this to make sense, we'd need evidence showing that there's a meaningful energy cost involved in these interactions
- We'd also need evidence that the turtles have some way to optimize their energy expenditure
Deep-water species typically migrate longer distances than shallow-water species but maintain more predictable seasonal movement patterns.
✗ Incorrect
- This tells us about migration distances and seasonal patterns but doesn't address energy costs of monitoring interactions specifically
- Migration patterns alone don't support the energy conservation hypothesis
Energy expenditure required for deep-water species to approach collection stations is significant but approximately equivalent whether they visit one station or several stations within the same geographic region.
✓ Correct
- Shows that energy expenditure is significant but equivalent whether visiting one or several stations in the same region
- Directly supports Dr. Martinez's proposal by showing turtles can get similar monitoring benefits while conserving energy
- If the cost is the same for multiple visits, being selective makes perfect energy sense
Shallow-water turtle species generally carry lighter monitoring devices than deep-water species due to different diving depth requirements.
✗ Incorrect
- About device weight differences between species
- Doesn't explain why deep-water species would miss appointments despite encountering stations more often
- Weight differences don't support the energy conservation per interaction theory
Collection stations in deep-water regions operate less frequently than those in shallow-water areas due to challenging research vessel accessibility.
✗ Incorrect
- About station operation frequency differences
- This would be an alternative explanation for the behavior, not support for Dr. Martinez's energy conservation proposal
- Would suggest external factors rather than adaptive turtle behavior