Researchers and conservationists stress that biodiversity loss due to invasive species is ______. For example, people can take simple steps...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Researchers and conservationists stress that biodiversity loss due to invasive species is ______. For example, people can take simple steps such as washing their footwear after travel to avoid introducing potentially invasive organisms into new environments.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
preventable
undeniable
common
concerning
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Researchers and conservationists stress that biodiversity loss due to invasive species is" |
|
| [MISSING WORD/PHRASE] |
|
| "For example, people can take simple steps such as washing their footwear after travel to avoid introducing potentially invasive organisms into new environments." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Researchers and conservationists emphasize a particular quality about biodiversity loss from invasive species, supported by examples of simple preventive actions.
Argument Flow: The passage presents an expert perspective on invasive species and biodiversity loss, then immediately supports this view with a concrete example of simple actions people can take to prevent introducing invasive organisms.
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.
Question Characterization
- What's being asked? The most logical and precise word or phrase to complete the sentence
- What type of answer do we need? A descriptor that logically connects the expert claim with the prevention example
- Any limiting keywords? "most logical and precise"
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
The missing word must describe biodiversity loss from invasive species in a way that connects logically to the example about prevention. The example shows people taking "simple steps" to "avoid introducing potentially invasive organisms" - this is clearly about preventing the problem. So the right answer should describe biodiversity loss as something that can be stopped or avoided through human action.
preventable
✓ Correct
- Creates perfect logical flow: if biodiversity loss is "preventable," then examples of prevention actions make complete sense.
- Matches the prevention focus in the supporting example.
- The word "preventable" directly connects to actions like washing footwear to "avoid introducing" invasive species.
undeniable
✗ Incorrect
- "Undeniable" means impossible to dispute or obvious.
- Creates logical disconnect: if the loss is undeniable/inevitable, why provide examples of prevention actions?
- Contradicts the preventive actions mentioned in the example.
common
✗ Incorrect
- "Common" describes frequency, not quality that connects to prevention.
- Doesn't explain why the passage then focuses on prevention steps.
- Students might think "common" fits because invasive species problems are widespread, but this misses the logical connection to the prevention example.
concerning
✗ Incorrect
- While biodiversity loss might be "concerning," this doesn't connect to the prevention example.
- Creates weak logical flow between the claim and supporting evidence.
- Students might choose this because biodiversity loss naturally seems concerning, but this misses the specific relationship the example establishes.