Streams and rivers carry soil and rocks from one location to another. But there is another way for these geological...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Streams and rivers carry soil and rocks from one location to another. But there is another way for these geological materials to move. Scientists call this process 'aeolian transport.' In aeolian transport, winds move small particles of soil or rock over potentially great distances. Geologist Melisa Diaz and her team studied dust in Antarctica to find out if it was moved by aeolian transport. They discovered that the dust matched geological material in Australia. Aeolian transport had carried it from one continent to another, across thousands of miles of open ocean.
Which choice best describes the function of the underlined portion in the text as a whole?
It presents Melisa Diaz's remarks about difficulties that her team encountered.
It introduces a scientific term that is used in the discussion that follows.
It emphasizes the surprising nature of the findings that are presented.
It explains the difference between two kinds of geological material.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Streams and rivers carry soil and rocks from one location to another." |
|
| "But there is another way for these geological materials to move." |
|
| "Scientists call this process 'aeolian transport.'" |
|
| "In aeolian transport, winds move small particles of soil or rock over potentially great distances." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Aeolian transport allows winds to carry geological materials across vast distances, as demonstrated by research showing dust traveled from Australia to Antarctica.
Argument Flow: The passage starts by establishing that streams and rivers transport geological materials, then introduces an alternative method called aeolian transport. After defining this wind-based process, it provides concrete evidence through research.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The question asks for the function or role of the underlined portion within the overall text.
What type of answer do we need? We need to describe what job this specific sentence performs in the passage structure.
Any limiting keywords? None specified.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The underlined sentence "Scientists call this process 'aeolian transport'" comes right after we are told there is another way for geological materials to move
- This sentence gives us the scientific name for that alternative method
- The rest of the passage uses this term repeatedly
It presents Melisa Diaz's remarks about difficulties that her team encountered.
✗ Incorrect
- The sentence does not mention Diaz at all and no difficulties are mentioned in the passage
It introduces a scientific term that is used in the discussion that follows.
✓ Correct
- The sentence literally introduces the term "aeolian transport" which is then used throughout the rest of the passage
It emphasizes the surprising nature of the findings that are presented.
✗ Incorrect
- The sentence simply provides a scientific name and does not emphasize anything as surprising
It explains the difference between two kinds of geological material.
✗ Incorrect
- The sentence names a transport process, not different material types