Modern biological taxonomy has its foundation in the systematic work of Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus. His approach involved gathering specimens...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Modern biological taxonomy has its foundation in the systematic work of Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus. His approach involved gathering specimens from expeditions across Europe while consulting detailed descriptions from fellow naturalists and explorers who had traveled to distant lands. Working between 1735 and 1758, Linnaeus organized these diverse materials into a comprehensive classification system for all known plant and animal species. This monumental achievement, known as Systema Naturae, created a systematic framework that grouped organisms by shared characteristics.
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
To describe a biological classification system and explain how it was developed
To argue for the importance of international scientific collaboration
To trace the evolution of naturalist exploration methods
To compare Swedish and international approaches to species identification
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Modern biological taxonomy has its foundation in the systematic work of Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus." |
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| "His approach involved gathering specimens from expeditions across Europe while consulting detailed descriptions from fellow naturalists and explorers who had traveled to distant lands." |
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| "Working between 1735 and 1758, Linnaeus organized these diverse materials into a comprehensive classification system for all known plant and animal species." |
|
| "This monumental achievement, known as Systema Naturae, created a systematic framework that grouped organisms by shared characteristics." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map:
[CONTEXT: Modern taxonomy's foundation] → [MAIN FIGURE: Carl Linnaeus] → [His methods] → [His timeline] → [His achievement] → [SIGNIFICANCE: Created systematic framework]
Main Point: The passage describes how Carl Linnaeus developed the foundational classification system for modern biological taxonomy.
Argument Flow: The text first establishes Linnaeus as the foundation of modern taxonomy, then describes his working methods and timeline, and concludes by explaining his major achievement (Systema Naturae) and its systematic approach to organizing organisms.
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 passage has a clear structure: it introduces Linnaeus as the foundation of modern taxonomy, explains his methods for gathering information, describes his 23-year project creating a classification system, and concludes with the significance of his Systema Naturae
- The main purpose is to inform us about both what Linnaeus created (a biological classification system) and how he created it (his methods and process)
- The right answer should capture both the "what" (the classification system) and the "how" (the development process)
To describe a biological classification system and explain how it was developed
- Perfectly captures both main elements: describing the classification system (Systema Naturae) and explaining how it was developed (his methods, timeline, and process)
- Matches our prethinking about the passage covering both "what" and "how"
- Aligns with the passage's structure that moves from methods to achievement
To argue for the importance of international scientific collaboration
- The passage mentions collaboration (consulting fellow naturalists) but doesn't argue for its importance
- This choice misinterprets descriptive information as argumentative
- What trap this represents: Students might confuse describing collaborative methods with arguing for collaboration's importance
To trace the evolution of naturalist exploration methods
- The passage describes one person's approach during one time period, not an evolution of methods over time
- No comparison of different eras or changing techniques
To compare Swedish and international approaches to species identification
- No comparison is made between Swedish and international approaches
- Linnaeus consulted international sources, but this isn't presented as a comparison of approaches
- The passage focuses on one person's unified method, not competing national approaches