While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Sue is the nickname of a dinosaur fossil specimen housed...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Sue is the nickname of a dinosaur fossil specimen housed at the Field Museum of Natural History.
- The Field Museum of Natural History is located in Chicago, Illinois.
- Sue is a member of the genus Tyrannosaurus.
- Big Mike is the nickname of a dinosaur fossil specimen housed at the Museum of the Rockies.
- The Museum of the Rockies is located in Bozeman, Montana.
- Big Mike is a member of the genus Tyrannosaurus.
The student wants to emphasize a similarity between the two specimens. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
The Field Museum of Natural History, where Sue is housed, is located in Chicago, Illinois.
Big Mike is the nickname of a Tyrannosaurus fossil specimen housed at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana.
The dinosaur fossil specimens Sue and Big Mike are both members of the genus Tyrannosaurus.
While Sue is housed at the Field Museum of Natural History, Big Mike is housed at the Museum of the Rockies.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Sue is the nickname of a dinosaur fossil specimen housed at the Field Museum of Natural History." |
|
| "The Field Museum of Natural History is located in Chicago, Illinois." |
|
| "Sue is a member of the genus Tyrannosaurus." |
|
| "Big Mike is the nickname of a dinosaur fossil specimen housed at the Museum of the Rockies." |
|
| "The Museum of the Rockies is located in Bozeman, Montana." |
|
| "Big Mike is a member of the genus Tyrannosaurus." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map:
SPECIMEN 1: SUE
├── Location: Field Museum (Chicago, IL)
└── Classification: Tyrannosaurus
SPECIMEN 2: BIG MIKE
├── Location: Museum of Rockies (Bozeman, MT)
└── Classification: Tyrannosaurus
Main Point: These research notes catalog basic information about two dinosaur fossil specimens, including their locations and scientific classifications.
Argument Flow: The notes present parallel information for two specimens. Each gets the same treatment: nickname identification, museum location, geographic details, and genus classification. The structure creates a natural comparison between Sue and Big Mike.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which choice most effectively emphasizes what Sue and Big Mike have in common.
What type of answer do we need? A statement that highlights shared characteristics rather than differences or individual details.
Any limiting keywords? "Similarity" is key - we need commonality, not contrast or individual features.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Looking at our notes, Sue and Big Mike share one clear similarity: both are members of the genus Tyrannosaurus
- They differ in their locations (Chicago vs. Bozeman, different museums), but their scientific classification is identical
- The right answer should directly state this shared characteristic rather than focusing on their individual features or differences
- It should explicitly connect both specimens to show what makes them alike
- So the right answer should clearly state that both Sue and Big Mike belong to the same dinosaur genus
The Field Museum of Natural History, where Sue is housed, is located in Chicago, Illinois.
- Only provides information about Sue's location
- Mentions nothing about Big Mike or any similarity
- Focuses on individual details rather than commonalities
Big Mike is the nickname of a Tyrannosaurus fossil specimen housed at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana.
- Only provides information about Big Mike's location and classification
- Mentions nothing about Sue or any similarity
- Focuses on individual specimen rather than comparison
The dinosaur fossil specimens Sue and Big Mike are both members of the genus Tyrannosaurus.
- Directly states both specimens belong to genus Tyrannosaurus
- Explicitly connects Sue and Big Mike through shared classification
- Perfectly emphasizes their similarity as requested in the question goal
While Sue is housed at the Field Museum of Natural History, Big Mike is housed at the Museum of the Rockies.
- Mentions both specimens but emphasizes their different locations
- Uses contrast structure rather than similarity
- Highlights what separates them rather than what they share