While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Ocean trenches represent the deepest parts of Earth's seafloor.These formations...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Ocean trenches represent the deepest parts of Earth's seafloor.
- These formations result from tectonic plate movements over millions of years.
- The Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean reaches approximately 36,000 feet below sea level.
- This makes it significantly deeper than other major trenches like the Puerto Rico Trench at 28,000 feet.
The student wants to emphasize how the Mariana Trench compares to other ocean trenches in terms of depth. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
The Mariana Trench formed through tectonic plate movements over millions of years.
Ocean trenches like the Mariana Trench represent the deepest parts of Earth's seafloor.
At 36,000 feet deep, the Mariana Trench extends significantly deeper than other major trenches such as the Puerto Rico Trench.
Located in the Pacific Ocean, the Mariana Trench plunges to roughly 36,000 feet below sea level.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Ocean trenches represent the deepest parts of Earth's seafloor.' |
|
| 'These formations result from tectonic plate movements over millions of years.' |
|
| 'The Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean reaches approximately 36,000 feet below sea level.' |
|
| 'This makes it significantly deeper than other major trenches like the Puerto Rico Trench at 28,000 feet.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The notes establish that the Mariana Trench is exceptionally deep compared to other major ocean trenches.
Argument Flow: The notes start with general information about ocean trenches being the deepest seafloor areas, explain their formation process, then focus specifically on the Mariana Trench's depth and demonstrate its superiority through direct comparison with another major trench.
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 include specific depth measurements to enable comparison
- Mention the Mariana Trench alongside at least one other trench
- Use language that highlights the comparative relationship
The Mariana Trench formed through tectonic plate movements over millions of years.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses entirely on formation process through tectonic plate movements
- Contains no depth information or comparative data
- Doesn't accomplish the goal of emphasizing depth comparison
Ocean trenches like the Mariana Trench represent the deepest parts of Earth's seafloor.
✗ Incorrect
- Makes a general statement about ocean trenches being deep
- Mentions the Mariana Trench but provides no depth comparison
At 36,000 feet deep, the Mariana Trench extends significantly deeper than other major trenches such as the Puerto Rico Trench.
✓ Correct
- Provides the Mariana Trench's specific depth (36,000 feet)
- Directly compares it to another major trench (Puerto Rico Trench)
- Uses comparative language 'extends significantly deeper than'
- Perfectly matches the goal of emphasizing depth comparison
Located in the Pacific Ocean, the Mariana Trench plunges to roughly 36,000 feet below sea level.
✗ Incorrect
- Gives the Mariana Trench's depth and location
- Contains no comparison to other trenches
- Fails to show how it compares to others, which was the stated goal