The challenge of conducting extended underwater research had long frustrated marine scientists, as traditional diving methods limited observation time...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The challenge of conducting extended underwater research had long frustrated marine scientists, as traditional diving methods limited observation time to just hours. Sylvia Earle's breakthrough came in the 1980s when she developed innovative methods for ______ underwater research stations that could house scientists for extended periods, revolutionizing deep ocean ecosystem studies.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
establishing
abandoning
questioning
avoiding
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'The challenge of conducting extended underwater research had long frustrated marine scientists, as traditional diving methods limited observation time to just hours.' |
|
| 'Sylvia Earle's breakthrough came in the 1980s when she developed innovative methods for' |
|
| '[MISSING WORD]' |
|
| 'underwater research stations that could house scientists for extended periods,' |
|
| 'revolutionizing deep ocean ecosystem studies.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Sylvia Earle solved the problem of limited underwater research time by developing methods that allowed scientists to stay underwater for extended periods.
Argument Flow: The passage moves from problem (limited diving time frustrated scientists) to solution (Earle's innovative methods for underwater stations) to impact (revolutionized ocean studies). The missing word describes what Earle did with these underwater research stations.
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
- From our analysis, we know that Earle had a breakthrough that involved doing something with underwater research stations
- The context tells us this was a positive solution to a long-standing problem
- The stations 'could house scientists for extended periods' and this 'revolutionized deep ocean ecosystem studies'
- The missing word needs to describe what Earle did with these research stations
- Since this was her breakthrough solution to the problem of limited research time, and these stations had the positive capability of housing scientists long-term, she must have been creating or setting up these stations
- So the right answer should describe the action of creating, building, or setting up these underwater research stations
establishing
- ✓ Correct
- 'Establishing' means setting up or creating something new
- This perfectly fits the context - Earle solved the research time problem by setting up underwater stations
- Matches our prethinking about creating/building these revolutionary research facilities
abandoning
- ✗ Incorrect
- 'Abandoning' means giving up on or leaving behind
- This contradicts the entire passage - Earle's breakthrough was a solution, not giving up
- Makes no sense with the positive outcome described
questioning
- ✗ Incorrect
- 'Questioning' means doubting or interrogating
- This doesn't describe a concrete action with research stations
- Students might think questioning leads to breakthroughs, but the blank needs an action done TO the stations themselves
avoiding
- ✗ Incorrect
- 'Avoiding' means staying away from or preventing
- This contradicts the breakthrough narrative - she embraced underwater research, not avoided it
- Doesn't align with revolutionizing ocean studies