One controlled laboratory study is insufficient to properly illustrate the _____ of climate change, given its interwoven atmospheric mechanisms, its...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
One controlled laboratory study is insufficient to properly illustrate the _____ of climate change, given its interwoven atmospheric mechanisms, its multi-decade cyclical processes, and its innumerable factors extending across numerous continents.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
breadth
accuracy
immediacy
dispute
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'One controlled laboratory study is insufficient to properly illustrate the' |
|
| [MISSING WORD/PHRASE] |
|
| 'of climate change, given its interwoven atmospheric mechanisms, its multi-decade cyclical processes, and its innumerable factors extending across numerous continents.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: A single controlled laboratory study cannot adequately demonstrate a key aspect of climate change due to its complex, long-term, and geographically extensive nature.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes that one study has limitations in showing something about climate change, then provides three types of evidence explaining why: the interconnected complexity of atmospheric systems, the long time scales involved, and the vast geographical scope with countless variables.
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 analysis, we see that one study is insufficient to show something about climate change, and the reasoning focuses on climate change's complexity, time scale, and geographic scope
- The missing word needs to capture what aspect of climate change can't be properly illustrated by a single study
- The evidence points to three key characteristics: interwoven complexity, vast time scales, and massive scope
- So the right answer should capture the extensive scope, range, or comprehensive nature of climate change that makes it impossible for one study to cover adequately
breadth
- 'Breadth' means scope, range, or extent
- Perfectly matches our prethinking about the vast scope of climate change
- Makes logical sense: one study can't show the full breadth/scope given all the complexity mentioned
accuracy
- 'Accuracy' refers to correctness or precision
- Doesn't fit the logic - the passage isn't about whether studies are correct, but about their limitations in scope
immediacy
- 'Immediacy' means urgency or directness
- Doesn't connect to the reasoning about complexity, time scales, and geographic scope
dispute
- 'Dispute' means disagreement or controversy
- Doesn't fit the sentence structure or meaning
- The passage isn't about showing disagreements, but about demonstrating something comprehensive about climate change itself