While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Seven species of sea turtle exist today.Five sea turtle species...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Seven species of sea turtle exist today.
- Five sea turtle species can be found in the Atlantic Ocean.
- One of those species is the Kemp's ridley sea turtle.
- Its scientific name is Lepidochelys kempii.
- Another of those species is the olive ridley sea turtle.
- Its scientific name is Lepidochelys olivacea.
The student wants to emphasize a similarity between the two sea turtle species. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Among the seven species of sea turtle is the olive ridley sea turtle, which can be found in the Atlantic Ocean.
The Kemp's ridley sea turtle is referred to as Lepidochelys kempii, while the olive ridley sea turtle is referred to as Lepidochelys olivacea.
Both the Kemp's ridley sea turtle and the olive ridley sea turtle can be found in the Atlantic Ocean.
The Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) and the olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) are different species.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Seven species of sea turtle exist today." |
|
| "Five sea turtle species can be found in the Atlantic Ocean." |
|
| "One of those species is the Kemp's ridley sea turtle." |
|
| "Its scientific name is Lepidochelys kempii." |
|
| "Another of those species is the olive ridley sea turtle." |
|
| "Its scientific name is Lepidochelys olivacea." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The notes provide basic information about sea turtle diversity, focusing on two Atlantic Ocean species and their scientific names.
Argument Flow: The notes start with broad context about total sea turtle species, then narrow to Atlantic Ocean species, and finally provide specific details about two particular species including their scientific classifications.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? We need to choose which option best helps the student emphasize a similarity between the Kemp's ridley and olive ridley sea turtles.
What type of answer do we need? A sentence that highlights what these two species have in common, rather than what makes them different.
Any limiting keywords? "similarity" - we're specifically looking for shared characteristics, not differences or individual traits.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- From our analysis, we can identify several potential similarities between these two species:
- Both are among the five sea turtle species found in the Atlantic Ocean
- Both have scientific names in the genus Lepidochelys
- Both are sea turtle species
- The right answer should focus on one of these shared characteristics and present both species together in a way that emphasizes what they have in common.
Among the seven species of sea turtle is the olive ridley sea turtle, which can be found in the Atlantic Ocean.
✗ Incorrect
- This mentions only the olive ridley turtle and its Atlantic location.
- Doesn't mention the Kemp's ridley at all, so can't emphasize a similarity between the two species.
The Kemp's ridley sea turtle is referred to as Lepidochelys kempii, while the olive ridley sea turtle is referred to as Lepidochelys olivacea.
✗ Incorrect
- This presents both species but emphasizes their different scientific names.
- Uses "while" to create a contrast structure that highlights differences, not similarities.
Both the Kemp's ridley sea turtle and the olive ridley sea turtle can be found in the Atlantic Ocean.
✓ Correct
- Uses "Both" to explicitly emphasize what the two species have in common.
- Highlights their shared location in the Atlantic Ocean, which comes directly from the notes.
- Accomplishes the goal of emphasizing similarity by focusing on what they share rather than what makes them different.
The Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) and the olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) are different species.
✗ Incorrect
- Explicitly states that the species "are different species."
- This emphasizes difference, not similarity, directly contradicting the goal of highlighting what they have in common.