Text 1Some animal species, like the leopard, can be found in many kinds of areas. On the other hand, tropical...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Some animal species, like the leopard, can be found in many kinds of areas. On the other hand, tropical mountain bird species tend to be limited in the types of spaces they can call home. This is because many mountain bird species are only able to survive at very specific elevations. Over time, these species have likely become used to living at a specific temperature. Therefore, these species struggle to survive at elevations that are warmer or colder than they are used to.
Text 2
A new study reviewed observations of nearly 3,000 bird species to understand why tropical mountain bird species live at specific elevations. They noted that when a mountain bird species was found in an area with many other bird species, it tended to inhabit much smaller geographic areas. It is thus likely that competition for resources with other species, not temperature, limits where these birds can live.
Based on the texts, both authors would most likely agree with which statement?
Tropical mountain bird species are restricted in where they can live.
Scientists have better tools to observe tropical mountain birds than they did in the past.
Little is known about how tropical mountain birds build their nests.
Tropical mountain bird species that live at high elevations tend to be genetically similar.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Some animal species, like the leopard, can be found in many kinds of areas.' |
|
| 'On the other hand, tropical mountain bird species tend to be limited in the types of spaces they can call home.' |
|
| 'This is because many mountain bird species are only able to survive at very specific elevations.' |
|
| 'Over time, these species have likely become used to living at a specific temperature.' |
|
| 'Therefore, these species struggle to survive at elevations that are warmer or colder than they are used to.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Both texts acknowledge that tropical mountain bird species are restricted in where they can live, though they offer different explanations for this limitation.
Argument Flow: Text 1 establishes that tropical mountain birds have limited habitat ranges and attributes this to temperature adaptation over time. Text 2 presents research that challenges this temperature explanation, suggesting instead that competition with other species is the primary limiting factor.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? What statement both authors would most likely agree with
What type of answer do we need? A point of agreement/common ground between the two texts
Any limiting keywords? 'both authors' - requires agreement from BOTH texts, not just one
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Both texts acknowledge that tropical mountain bird species are restricted in where they can live - Text 1 explicitly states they are 'limited in the types of spaces they can call home,' and Text 2 notes they 'live at specific elevations' and 'inhabit much smaller geographic areas.'
- While they disagree about WHY this happens (temperature vs. competition), they both accept that these birds have limited habitat ranges.
- The right answer should identify something both texts clearly acknowledge, regardless of their disagreement about underlying causes.
Tropical mountain bird species are restricted in where they can live.
- Both texts explicitly acknowledge habitat restrictions for these birds
- Text 1 states they are 'limited in the types of spaces they can call home' and Text 2 notes they 'inhabit much smaller geographic areas' and live at 'specific elevations'
- This represents their point of agreement, despite disagreeing on causes
Scientists have better tools to observe tropical mountain birds than they did in the past.
- Neither text discusses observational tools or technological improvements
- This introduces information not present in either passage
Little is known about how tropical mountain birds build their nests.
- Neither text mentions nesting behavior or nest construction
- This topic is completely absent from both passages
Tropical mountain bird species that live at high elevations tend to be genetically similar.
- Neither text discusses genetics or genetic similarity
- Elevation preferences are mentioned but not linked to genetic factors