Paleontologist Lucas E. Fiorelli and colleagues have reported the discovery at a mine in Brazil of several egg clutches, partially...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Paleontologist Lucas E. Fiorelli and colleagues have reported the discovery at a mine in Brazil of several egg clutches, partially preserved single eggs, and egg shells from the Late Cretaceous period. The researchers have concluded that the area was once a nesting and breeding site for titanosaurs, a group of sauropod dinosaurs. The finding is significant given the previous lack of known nesting sites in northern regions of South America, which led many paleontologists to assume that titanosaurs migrated south to lay eggs.
What does the text most strongly suggest about the site discovered by the researchers?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Paleontologist Lucas E. Fiorelli and colleagues have reported the discovery at a mine in Brazil of several egg clutches, partially preserved single eggs, and egg shells from the Late Cretaceous period.' |
|
| 'The researchers have concluded that the area was once a nesting and breeding site for titanosaurs, a group of sauropod dinosaurs.' |
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| 'The finding is significant given the previous lack of known nesting sites in northern regions of South America, which led many paleontologists to assume that titanosaurs migrated south to lay eggs.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The discovery of a titanosaur nesting site in Brazil challenges the previous assumption that these dinosaurs had to migrate south to breed.
Argument Flow: The passage begins with a discovery announcement, states what researchers concluded about the site, and then explains why this finding is significant by showing how it contradicts previous scientific thinking about titanosaur nesting behavior.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? What the text 'most strongly suggests' about the discovered site
What type of answer do we need? An inference we can draw about the site based on the passage information
Any limiting keywords? 'most strongly suggests' - we need the inference most clearly supported by the text
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The key insight from our passage analysis is the contrast between what scientists previously thought and what this discovery shows
- Scientists assumed titanosaurs migrated south because there were no known nesting sites in northern South America
- But now they found one in Brazil, which is in northern South America
- The right answer should reflect that this site represents something new about the geographic distribution of titanosaur nesting sites - specifically that it's located farther north than where scientists previously thought these dinosaurs nested
- Claims this is the 'earliest known example' but the passage mentions Late Cretaceous period but gives no comparison to other sites' ages
- Says it was 'very difficult to excavate' because it was in a mine but the passage mentions the mine location but says nothing about excavation difficulty
- Suggests other sauropods besides titanosaurs used the site but the passage only mentions titanosaurs and gives no indication of other sauropod species
- States it's 'farther north than any other nesting site discovered in South America' which directly follows from the passage's logic about the 'previous lack of known nesting sites in northern regions of South America' and matches our prethinking about geographic significance