While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Phobetor, a name drawn from Greek mythology, is an exoplanet...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
Phobetor, a name drawn from Greek mythology, is an exoplanet that orbits the star PSR B1257+12, also known as Lich.
Phobetor's mass is \(0.01\) times that of Jupiter, or \(0.01\) Jupiter masses.
Mastika, which means 'gem' or 'jewel' in Malay, is an exoplanet that orbits the star HD 179949, also known as Gumala.
Mastika's mass is \(0.92\) Jupiter masses.
The student wants to make and support a generalization about exoplanets. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Exoplanets that are named Phobetor orbit Lich, and those that are named Mastika orbit Gumala.
Even though Phobetor and Mastika are both exoplanets, their masses are different: Phobetor's mass is 0.01 Jupiter masses, and Mastika's is 0.92 Jupiter masses.
Many stars have both a designation and a proper name; for instance, PSR B1257+12 is also known as Lich, and HD 179949 is also known as Gumala.
Exoplanet names have diverse origins, a fact that can be seen in the cases of Phobetor, a name drawn from Greek mythology, and Mastika, which means 'gem' or 'jewel' in Malay.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Phobetor, a name drawn from Greek mythology, is an exoplanet that orbits the star PSR B1257+12, also known as Lich.' |
|
| 'Phobetor's mass is 0.01 times that of Jupiter, or 0.01 Jupiter masses.' |
|
| 'Mastika, which means 'gem' or 'jewel' in Malay, is an exoplanet that orbits the star HD 179949, also known as Gumala.' |
|
| 'Mastika's mass is 0.92 Jupiter masses.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The notes present detailed information about two exoplanets with different naming origins, host stars, and masses.
Argument Flow: The notes systematically present two exoplanets, giving each the same type of information - name etymology, orbital details, and mass measurements. This parallel structure allows for comparison across multiple characteristics like naming traditions and physical properties.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? We need to identify which choice most effectively uses the research notes to make and support a generalization about exoplanets.
What type of answer do we need? A statement that makes a broad claim about exoplanets as a category and backs it up with specific evidence from the notes.
Any limiting keywords? 'generalization' - this means we need a broad statement about exoplanets, not just facts about these two specific ones; 'most effectively' - we need the choice that best combines making the generalization with supporting it.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Looking at our notes, we have information about naming origins (Greek mythology vs. Malay language), masses (very different - 0.01 vs 0.92 Jupiter masses), and host stars (both with alternative names)
- A good generalization should identify a pattern that applies broadly to exoplanets, not just state facts about these two specific ones
- The strongest generalization we can make is about the diversity in exoplanet naming - we see names from completely different cultural and linguistic origins
- So the right answer should make a broad statement about exoplanets as a category and use Phobetor and Mastika as specific supporting examples
Exoplanets that are named Phobetor orbit Lich, and those that are named Mastika orbit Gumala.
- This states specific facts about which exoplanets orbit which stars
- This isn't a generalization - it's just describing these two particular cases
- Doesn't make any broad claim about exoplanets as a category
Even though Phobetor and Mastika are both exoplanets, their masses are different: Phobetor's mass is 0.01 Jupiter masses, and Mastika's is 0.92 Jupiter masses.
- While this mentions they're 'both exoplanets,' it focuses on the mass difference between these two specific planets
- Comes closer to a generalization about mass variation but doesn't clearly state a broad principle
Many stars have both a designation and a proper name; for instance, PSR B1257+12 is also known as Lich, and HD 179949 is also known as Gumala.
- This makes a generalization about stars having multiple names, not about exoplanets
- Uses the star information from the notes but doesn't address the question's focus on exoplanets
Exoplanet names have diverse origins, a fact that can be seen in the cases of Phobetor, a name drawn from Greek mythology, and Mastika, which means 'gem' or 'jewel' in Malay.
- Makes a clear generalization about exoplanets: that their names have 'diverse origins'
- Supports this generalization with specific evidence from both examples in the notes
- Perfectly matches what we determined in our prethinking - a broad statement about exoplanets backed by concrete examples