While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Minnesota defines a lake as an inland body of water...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Minnesota defines a lake as an inland body of water of at least 10 acres.
- Wisconsin's definition of a lake doesn't take size into account.
- By its own definition, Wisconsin has over 15,000 lakes, many smaller than 10 acres.
- By Minnesota's definition, Wisconsin has only about 6,000 lakes.
The student wants to contrast Minnesota's definition of a lake with Wisconsin's. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Wisconsin, which doesn't take size into account in defining a lake, claims that it has over 15,000 lakes.
Because its definition of a lake is different from Minnesota's, it is unclear how many lakes Wisconsin really has.
According to Minnesota's definition of a lake—an inland body of water of at least 10 acres—Wisconsin has about 6,000 lakes.
Minnesota's definition of a lake—an inland body of water of at least 10 acres—is more restrictive than Wisconsin's, which doesn't take size into account.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Minnesota defines a lake as an inland body of water of at least 10 acres." |
|
| "Wisconsin's definition of a lake doesn't take size into account." |
|
| "By its own definition, Wisconsin has over 15,000 lakes, many smaller than 10 acres." |
|
| "By Minnesota's definition, Wisconsin has only about 6,000 lakes." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Minnesota and Wisconsin use different criteria to define lakes, with Minnesota's size requirement being much more restrictive than Wisconsin's approach.
Argument Flow: The notes establish two different definitional approaches to lakes—Minnesota requires at least 10 acres while Wisconsin has no size requirement. The impact of this difference is then demonstrated through Wisconsin's lake counts: 15,000+ by its own definition versus only 6,000 by Minnesota's stricter standard.
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 correct answer should clearly present both definitions in a way that shows how they differ
- Specifically, it should highlight that Minnesota has a size requirement (10+ acres) while Wisconsin doesn't consider size at all
- This makes Minnesota's definition more restrictive
- The answer should use the specific information from the notes rather than just discussing one definition or making vague statements about differences
Wisconsin, which doesn't take size into account in defining a lake, claims that it has over 15,000 lakes.
- Only discusses Wisconsin's definition and lake count
- Fails to contrast with Minnesota's definition at all
- Missing the key comparison the question asks for
Because its definition of a lake is different from Minnesota's, it is unclear how many lakes Wisconsin really has.
- Claims it's "unclear" how many lakes Wisconsin has
- Actually contradicts the notes, which give us clear counts under both definitions
- Doesn't effectively contrast the definitions themselves
According to Minnesota's definition of a lake—an inland body of water of at least 10 acres—Wisconsin has about 6,000 lakes.
- Only applies Minnesota's definition to Wisconsin's lakes
- Shows the result of using Minnesota's standard but doesn't contrast the definitions themselves
- This choice shows one definition in action rather than comparing the two approaches
Minnesota's definition of a lake—an inland body of water of at least 10 acres—is more restrictive than Wisconsin's, which doesn't take size into account.
- Directly states both definitions: Minnesota's "at least 10 acres" requirement vs Wisconsin's approach that "doesn't take size into account"
- Explicitly identifies that Minnesota's definition is "more restrictive"
- Perfectly accomplishes the goal of contrasting the two definitions using relevant information from the notes