Researchers investigating feeding habits in Pacific ocean environments identified unique nutritional behaviors across fish populations inhabiting vari...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Researchers investigating feeding habits in Pacific ocean environments identified unique nutritional behaviors across fish populations inhabiting various depth levels. Fish living near the surface primarily consumed zooplankton and tiny crustaceans available in the uppermost water zones, whereas species dwelling in deeper areas relied predominantly on organic material that had descended from higher levels. The scientific team determined that shallow-water fish stayed in surface areas to take advantage of plentiful living organisms, whereas deeper-dwelling fish had evolved to harness nutritional resources available on the sea bottom.
Which finding, if true, would most strongly support the research team's conclusion?
Deeper-dwelling species demonstrated larger digestive tract capacity compared to surface-inhabiting fish of similar body mass.
Periodic changes in zooplankton abundance influenced the geographic spread of surface-level and deep-ocean fish populations.
Investigation showed that deep-sea fish additionally fed on marine invertebrates and microorganisms flourishing within ocean floor deposits.
Fish near the surface exhibited more varied species types than communities found in deeper waters.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Researchers investigating feeding habits in Pacific ocean environments identified unique nutritional behaviors across fish populations inhabiting various depth levels.' |
|
| 'Fish living near the surface primarily consumed zooplankton and tiny crustaceans available in the uppermost water zones' |
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| 'whereas species dwelling in deeper areas relied predominantly on organic material that had descended from higher levels.' |
|
| 'The scientific team determined that shallow-water fish stayed in surface areas to take advantage of plentiful living organisms' |
|
| 'whereas deeper-dwelling fish had evolved to harness nutritional resources available on the sea bottom.' |
|
Main Point: Researchers found that fish at different ocean depths have evolved distinct feeding strategies - surface fish eat living organisms in upper waters while deep fish have adapted to utilize nutritional resources found on the sea bottom.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which finding would most strongly support the research team's conclusion
What type of answer do we need? Evidence that would strengthen/support the team's conclusion
Any limiting keywords? 'most strongly support' - we need the choice that provides the strongest evidence
The key conclusion we need to support is that 'deeper-dwelling fish had evolved to harness nutritional resources available on the sea bottom.'
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The research team concluded that deep fish evolved to use nutritional resources on the sea bottom
- To support this, we'd need evidence showing that deep fish actually do feed on things found on or near the ocean floor
- The current passage only mentions they eat 'organic material that had descended from higher levels' but doesn't specifically connect this to sea bottom resources
- So the right answer should provide direct evidence that deep fish feed on materials specifically found on the sea bottom, confirming they've adapted to use ocean floor resources as their conclusion states
Deeper-dwelling species demonstrated larger digestive tract capacity compared to surface-inhabiting fish of similar body mass.
- Larger digestive capacity could suggest they process different types of food but this doesn't specifically support that they use sea bottom resources - it's too general
Periodic changes in zooplankton abundance influenced the geographic spread of surface-level and deep-ocean fish populations.
- This describes how zooplankton changes affect fish distribution patterns and doesn't provide evidence about deep fish using sea bottom resources
- Trap: Students might think this supports the conclusion because it mentions both surface and deep fish, but it's about geographic distribution, not feeding on sea bottom resources
Investigation showed that deep-sea fish additionally fed on marine invertebrates and microorganisms flourishing within ocean floor deposits.
- Shows deep fish feed on invertebrates and microorganisms in ocean floor deposits and directly confirms they use nutritional resources specifically from the sea bottom
- Perfectly matches our prethinking - provides concrete evidence for the team's conclusion
Fish near the surface exhibited more varied species types than communities found in deeper waters.
- Species variety near the surface doesn't tell us anything about deep fish feeding habits and is completely irrelevant to supporting the conclusion about deep fish using sea bottom resources