Researcher Dr. James Chen and his team have recorded numerous gray wolf pack territories, den locations, and foraging areas throughout...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Researcher Dr. James Chen and his team have recorded numerous gray wolf pack territories, den locations, and foraging areas throughout Yellowstone National Park's eastern zones. Based on their findings, the scientists have determined that these eastern regions function as a crucial reproductive and territorial hub for the gray wolf population. This finding holds particular significance given that earlier research studies documented wolf communities predominantly occupying territories within the park's western areas, leading scientific consensus to propose that western landscapes were preferred by wolves for establishing packs and conducting reproductive activities.
What does the text most strongly suggest about the wolf behavior documented by Dr. Chen's team?
It demonstrates that gray wolves are more adaptable than previously understood.
It reveals pack activities occurring farther east than other documented territories in the park.
It indicates that the eastern regions provide superior hunting opportunities.
It represents the largest concentration of wolf packs found in Yellowstone.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Researcher Dr. James Chen and his team have recorded numerous gray wolf pack territories, den locations, and foraging areas throughout Yellowstone National Park's eastern zones." |
|
| "Based on their findings, the scientists have determined that these eastern regions function as a crucial reproductive and territorial hub for the gray wolf population." |
|
| "This finding holds particular significance given that earlier research studies documented wolf communities predominantly occupying territories within the park's western areas," |
|
| "leading scientific consensus to propose that western landscapes were preferred by wolves for establishing packs and conducting reproductive activities." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Chen's research reveals that eastern regions of Yellowstone serve as crucial wolf reproductive hubs, challenging the previous scientific consensus that wolves preferred western areas for pack establishment and reproduction.
Argument Flow: The passage first presents Chen's research findings about eastern wolf territories, then contrasts these findings with earlier research that documented wolves predominantly in western areas. This creates a significant shift from the previous scientific understanding.
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
- Focus on the geographic contrast between Chen's findings (eastern zones) and previous research (western areas)
- Recognize that Chen discovered significant wolf activity in areas that weren't the primary focus of earlier documentation
- Connect to the fact that this challenges or expands our understanding of where wolves establish territories
It demonstrates that gray wolves are more adaptable than previously understood.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims the findings demonstrate adaptability
- The passage doesn't discuss wolves adapting to new conditions or changing behavior
- This confuses "new discovery about location" with "adaptation"
It reveals pack activities occurring farther east than other documented territories in the park.
✓ Correct
- Accurately captures that Chen found pack activities "farther east" than other documented territories
- Directly reflects the geographic contrast: previous research focused on western areas, Chen documented eastern zones
It indicates that the eastern regions provide superior hunting opportunities.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims eastern regions provide "superior hunting opportunities"
- The passage mentions foraging areas but never compares hunting quality between regions
It represents the largest concentration of wolf packs found in Yellowstone.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims this represents the "largest concentration" of wolf packs
- The passage discusses the importance of eastern regions but never mentions pack concentration size or compares quantities