The following text is from a 2019 research study on corvid intelligence published in Animal Cognition.The ravens demonstrated remarkable problem-solvi...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The following text is from a 2019 research study on corvid intelligence published in Animal Cognition.
The ravens demonstrated remarkable problem-solving abilities when presented with multi-step puzzles, using tools in sequential combinations and adapting their methods based on environmental feedback. These birds also displayed advanced social cognition, coordinating group behaviors and showing evidence of tactical deception in competitive scenarios. This capacity appeared most prominently during foraging activities, where ravens modified their search patterns in response to both resource distribution and social dynamics.
As used in the text, what does the word "capacity" most nearly mean?
Ability
Volume
Potential
Role
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The ravens demonstrated remarkable problem-solving abilities when presented with multi-step puzzles, using tools in sequential combinations and adapting their methods based on environmental feedback." |
|
| "These birds also displayed advanced social cognition, coordinating group behaviors and showing evidence of tactical deception in competitive scenarios." |
|
| "This capacity appeared most prominently during foraging activities, where ravens modified their search patterns in response to both resource distribution and social dynamics." |
|
Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Ravens demonstrate sophisticated cognitive abilities that include both individual problem-solving skills and advanced social intelligence.
Argument Flow: The passage begins by establishing ravens' individual cognitive prowess through problem-solving examples, then expands to show their social intelligence, and finally identifies foraging as the prime context where these combined abilities are most clearly observed.
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, "capacity" appears in the sentence talking about how ravens' cognitive abilities show up most clearly during foraging
- The word refers back to all the cognitive skills mentioned earlier - both the problem-solving abilities and the social cognition
- In this context, "capacity" means the ravens' mental/cognitive abilities or skills
- The right answer should be a word that means "ability" or "skill" - something that describes what the ravens can do cognitively
Ability
- "Ability" perfectly captures what "capacity" means here - the ravens' cognitive skills and mental capabilities
- Matches our prethinking about the ravens' demonstrated cognitive abilities
- Makes perfect sense when substituted: "This ability appeared most prominently during foraging activities"
Volume
- "Volume" refers to physical space or quantity measurements
- Doesn't make sense in the context of cognitive abilities
- Trap: Students might confuse "capacity" with its meaning in physics/chemistry contexts (like volume of a container)
Potential
- "Potential" suggests something that could happen but hasn't been realized yet
- The passage discusses what ravens actually demonstrated, not what they might be capable of
- Trap: Students might think of "capacity" as unrealized potential, missing that the passage describes actual demonstrated abilities
Role
- "Role" refers to a function or position something plays
- Doesn't fit the sentence structure or meaning - cognitive abilities don't play a "role," they are demonstrated
- Creates awkward phrasing: "This role appeared most prominently" doesn't make contextual sense