Over the past several decades, numerous conservation groups have started classifying different threatened species within the comprehensive category of...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Over the past several decades, numerous conservation groups have started classifying different threatened species within the comprehensive category of 'flagship species'—including examples like China's giant panda and Central Asia's snow leopard—in order to streamline donation collection efforts and educational outreach initiatives. While a significant number of scientists have adopted this strategy due to its proven success in mobilizing conservation backing, wildlife biologist Dr. Sarah Chen contends that the flagship species framework masks the distinct ecological functions and particular conservation requirements of each species by regarding them as substitutable emblems.
Which discovery concerning giant pandas and snow leopards, if accurate, would most strongly validate Chen's position?
Both giant pandas and snow leopards encounter habitat destruction as their main survival challenge.
Giant pandas depend on bamboo forest environments whereas snow leopards require elevated rocky landscapes, demonstrating entirely distinct ecological habitats.
Giant pandas have achieved greater success compared to snow leopards in securing global conservation financial support.
Both giant pandas and snow leopards fulfill significant emblematic functions within their individual cultural contexts.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Over the past several decades, numerous conservation groups have started classifying different threatened species within the comprehensive category of flagship species—including examples like China's giant panda and Central Asia's snow leopard—' |
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| 'in order to streamline donation collection efforts and educational outreach initiatives.' |
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| 'While a significant number of scientists have adopted this strategy due to its proven success in mobilizing conservation backing,' |
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| 'wildlife biologist Dr. Sarah Chen contends that the flagship species framework masks the distinct ecological functions and particular conservation requirements of each species by regarding them as substitutable emblems.' |
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Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: While many conservation scientists support the flagship species approach because it successfully mobilizes support, Dr. Chen argues this strategy problematically treats ecologically distinct species as interchangeable symbols.
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
- Chen's core argument is that the flagship species framework is problematic because it treats different species as substitutable emblems when in reality each species has distinct ecological functions and particular conservation requirements
- To validate her position, we need evidence showing that giant pandas and snow leopards are NOT substitutable - that they have fundamentally different ecological roles, habitat needs, or conservation requirements
Both giant pandas and snow leopards encounter habitat destruction as their main survival challenge.
✗ Incorrect
- Shows both species face the same main threat (habitat destruction) - this demonstrates similarity, not distinctiveness, which undermines Chen's argument
Giant pandas depend on bamboo forest environments whereas snow leopards require elevated rocky landscapes, demonstrating entirely distinct ecological habitats.
✓ Correct
- Shows pandas need bamboo forests while snow leopards need rocky mountain terrain - demonstrates entirely distinct ecological habitats, validating Chen's point that treating them as substitutable emblems ignores their unique ecological requirements
Giant pandas have achieved greater success compared to snow leopards in securing global conservation financial support.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on fundraising success differences rather than ecological distinctiveness - doesn't address Chen's core argument about ecological functions being masked
Both giant pandas and snow leopards fulfill significant emblematic functions within their individual cultural contexts.
✗ Incorrect
- Shows both species serve emblematic functions in their cultures - this supports the flagship species approach rather than validating Chen's criticism