Results of Footprint Analysis for Two Sets of Theropod TracksTracksEstimated footprint length (centimeters)Average stride length (meters)Estimated mea...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Results of Footprint Analysis for Two Sets of Theropod Tracks
| Tracks | Estimated footprint length (centimeters) | Average stride length (meters) | Estimated mean speed (meters per second) |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Torre 6A | \(\mathrm{32.8}\) | \(\mathrm{5.23}\) | \(\mathrm{6.5{-}10.3}\) |
| La Torre 6B | \(\mathrm{28.9}\) | \(\mathrm{5.57}\) | \(\mathrm{8.8{-}12.4}\) |
The table shows data from paleontologist Angélica Torices and colleagues' 2021 study of two sets of dinosaur tracks preserved in a fossilized lake bed in Spain. The tracks, referred to as La Torre 6A and La Torre 6B, were left by two individual theropods (dinosaurs that walked on two legs). The team's findings suggest that of the two theropods, the one that left the La Torre 6B tracks had a higher maximum mean speed, ______
Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the claim?
a longer footprint, and a longer average stride.
a longer footprint, and a shorter average stride.
a shorter footprint, and a longer average stride.
a shorter footprint, and a shorter average stride.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Results of Footprint Analysis for Two Sets of Theropod Tracks [TABLE DATA] |
|
| The table shows data from paleontologist Angelica Torices and colleagues' 2021 study of two sets of dinosaur tracks preserved in a fossilized lake bed in Spain. |
|
| The tracks, referred to as La Torre 6A and La Torre 6B, were left by two individual theropods (dinosaurs that walked on two legs). |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: A 2021 study by Torices and colleagues measured and compared footprint characteristics of two individual theropod dinosaurs from fossilized tracks in Spain.
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 the table data to compare 6B vs 6A
- Speed: 6B has 8.8-12.4 m/s vs 6A has 6.5-10.3 m/s (6B is faster, as stated)
- Footprint length: 6B has 28.9 cm vs 6A has 32.8 cm (6B is shorter)
- Average stride length: 6B has 5.57 m vs 6A has 5.23 m (6B is longer)
- So the correct completion should state that La Torre 6B had a shorter footprint and longer stride
a longer footprint, and a longer average stride.
- Claims 6B had a longer footprint and longer stride
- The footprint claim contradicts the data (28.9 cm vs 32.8 cm shows 6B was shorter)
a longer footprint, and a shorter average stride.
- Claims 6B had a longer footprint and shorter stride
- Both claims contradict the table data
a shorter footprint, and a longer average stride.
- States 6B had a shorter footprint and longer stride
- This perfectly matches the data: 28.9 cm vs 32.8 cm (shorter) and 5.57 m vs 5.23 m (longer)
a shorter footprint, and a shorter average stride.
- Claims 6B had shorter footprint and shorter stride
- While the footprint claim is correct, the stride claim is wrong since 6B had a longer stride