Research Laboratory Catalyst Efficiency Study Results Catalyst Type Reaction Rate (mol/min) Temperature Requi...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Research Laboratory Catalyst Efficiency Study Results
| Catalyst Type | Reaction Rate (mol/min) | Temperature Required (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| Platinum-Based A | 2.47 | 180 |
| Titanium Oxide B | 1.93 | 220 |
| Rhodium Complex C | 3.18 | 165 |
A chemistry research team is preparing a report on catalyst performance optimization. The team must identify the reaction rate achieved by the highest-performing catalyst, Rhodium Complex C. Based on the laboratory data, Rhodium Complex C achieved _______
Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the statement?
A reaction rate of \(1.93\text{ mol/min}\) was achieved.
A reaction rate of \(3.18\text{ mol/min}\) was achieved.
A reaction rate of \(2.47\text{ mol/min}\) was achieved.
A reaction rate of \(165\text{ mol/min}\) was achieved.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Research Laboratory Catalyst Efficiency Study Results" |
|
| [Data Table with 3 catalysts: Platinum-Based A (2.47 mol/min, 180°C), Titanium Oxide B (1.93 mol/min, 220°C), Rhodium Complex C (3.18 mol/min, 165°C)] |
|
| "A chemistry research team is preparing a report on catalyst performance optimization." |
|
| "The team must identify the reaction rate achieved by the highest-performing catalyst, Rhodium Complex C." |
|
| "Based on the laboratory data, Rhodium Complex C achieved ______" |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: A research team needs to report the reaction rate of Rhodium Complex C, which has been identified as the highest-performing catalyst in their study.
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 table analysis, Rhodium Complex C is explicitly identified as "the highest-performing catalyst" in the passage text
- From the data table, we can see that Rhodium Complex C achieved a reaction rate of 3.18 mol/min (which is indeed the highest of the three catalysts shown)
- The blank statement reads "Rhodium Complex C achieved ______" so we need to complete this with the reaction rate data
A reaction rate of \(1.93\text{ mol/min}\) was achieved.
✗ Incorrect
- States "A reaction rate of \(1.93\ \mathrm{mol/min}\) was achieved"
- This is actually the reaction rate for Titanium Oxide B, not Rhodium Complex C
- Trap: Students might grab the wrong number from the table if they don't carefully match the catalyst name to its corresponding data
A reaction rate of \(3.18\text{ mol/min}\) was achieved.
✓ Correct
- States "A reaction rate of \(3.18\ \mathrm{mol/min}\) was achieved"
- This directly matches the reaction rate shown in the table for Rhodium Complex C and completes the statement accurately using the specific data requested
A reaction rate of \(2.47\text{ mol/min}\) was achieved.
✗ Incorrect
- States "A reaction rate of \(2.47\ \mathrm{mol/min}\) was achieved"
- This is the reaction rate for Platinum-Based A, not Rhodium Complex C
- Trap: Similar to Choice A, students might select the wrong catalyst's data from the table
A reaction rate of \(165\text{ mol/min}\) was achieved.
✗ Incorrect
- States "A reaction rate of \(165\ \mathrm{mol/min}\) was achieved"
- This confuses the temperature requirement (\(165°C\)) with the reaction rate
- Trap: Students might mix up the two numerical columns in the table, grabbing temperature data instead of reaction rate data