Performance Analysis for Two Sprint AthletesAthleteAverage 100m time (seconds)Stride frequency (steps/second)Average height (centimeters)Runner A10.84...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Performance Analysis for Two Sprint Athletes
| Athlete | Average 100m time (seconds) | Stride frequency (steps/second) | Average height (centimeters) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runner A | 10.8 | 4.2 | 178 |
| Runner B | 10.3 | 4.6 | 172 |
The table shows data from a sports science study analyzing two competitive sprinters' performance metrics. The researchers' analysis indicates that Runner B achieved faster sprint times than Runner A, _____
Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the claim?
shorter average height, and higher stride frequency.
shorter average height, and lower stride frequency.
taller average height, and higher stride frequency.
taller average height, and lower stride frequency.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Performance Analysis for Two Sprint Athletes [Table showing: Runner A: 10.8s, 4.2 steps/sec, 178cm; Runner B: 10.3s, 4.6 steps/sec, 172cm] |
|
| The table shows data from a sports science study analyzing two competitive sprinters' performance metrics. |
|
| The researchers' analysis indicates that Runner B achieved faster sprint times than Runner A, |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: A sports science study found Runner B achieved faster sprint times than Runner A, and the data reveals additional performance characteristics that accompany this superior speed.
Argument Flow: The passage presents quantitative data from a sports study, establishes that Runner B outperformed Runner A in sprint time, and sets up completion of what other measurable differences exist between the athletes.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? We need to complete the researchers' claim about Runner B by identifying additional characteristics from the table data.
What type of answer do we need? A factual completion that accurately describes Runner B's other measurable traits compared to Runner A.
Any limiting keywords? 'most effectively uses data from the table' - our answer must be directly supported by the numerical data provided.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- From the table, we can directly compare Runner B to Runner A:
- Speed: Runner B is faster (10.3 vs 10.8 seconds)
- Height: Runner B is shorter (172 vs 178 cm)
- Stride frequency: Runner B has higher stride frequency (4.6 vs 4.2 steps/second)
- The completion should identify the two remaining characteristics that differentiate Runner B from Runner A. The right answer should state that Runner B has shorter height and higher stride frequency compared to Runner A.
shorter average height, and higher stride frequency.
✓ Correct
- Accurately reflects the data: Runner B is \(172\mathrm{cm}\) vs Runner A's \(178\mathrm{cm}\) (shorter), and \(4.6\) vs \(4.2\) steps/second (higher frequency)
- Completes the claim logically by adding the two remaining measurable differences from the table
shorter average height, and lower stride frequency.
✗ Incorrect
- Gets height right (shorter) but wrong about stride frequency
- Table shows Runner B has \(4.6\) steps/second vs Runner A's \(4.2\) - that's higher, not lower
- Trap: Students might misread the decimal numbers
taller average height, and higher stride frequency.
✗ Incorrect
- Gets stride frequency right (higher) but wrong about height
- Table shows Runner B is \(172\mathrm{cm}\) vs Runner A's \(178\mathrm{cm}\) - that's shorter, not taller
- Trap: Students might associate better performance with taller without checking actual data
taller average height, and lower stride frequency.
✗ Incorrect
- Wrong on both measurements
- Contradicts the table data on both height (shorter, not taller) and stride frequency (higher, not lower)
- Represents a complete misreading of the numerical data