While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes: The factors that affect clutch size (the number of...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- The factors that affect clutch size (the number of eggs laid at one time) have been well studied in birds but not in lizards.
- A team led by Shai Meiri of Tel Aviv University investigated which factors influence lizard clutch size.
- Meiri's team obtained clutch-size and habitat data for over 3,900 lizard species and analyzed the data with statistical models.
- Larger clutch size was associated with environments in higher latitudes that have more seasonal change.
- Lizards in higher-latitude environments may lay larger clutches to take advantage of shorter windows of favorable conditions.
The student wants to emphasize the aim of the research study. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Researchers wanted to know which factors influence lizard egg clutch size because such factors have been well studied in birds but not in lizards.
After they obtained data for over 3,900 lizard species, researchers determined that larger clutch size was associated with environments in higher latitudes that have more seasonal change.
We now know that lizards in higher-latitude environments may lay larger clutches to take advantage of shorter windows of favorable conditions.
Researchers obtained clutch-size and habitat data for over 3,900 lizard species and analyzed the data with statistical models.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| The factors that affect clutch size (the number of eggs laid at one time) have been well studied in birds but not in lizards. |
|
| A team led by Shai Meiri of Tel Aviv University investigated which factors influence lizard clutch size. |
|
| Meiri's team obtained clutch-size and habitat data for over 3,900 lizard species and analyzed the data with statistical models. |
|
| Larger clutch size was associated with environments in higher latitudes that have more seasonal change. |
|
| Lizards in higher-latitude environments may lay larger clutches to take advantage of shorter windows of favorable conditions. |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Meiri's team conducted a comprehensive study to fill the research gap about factors influencing lizard clutch size, finding that lizards in higher latitudes lay larger clutches.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes that while bird clutch size factors are well-studied, lizard factors aren't. It then describes how Meiri's team addressed this gap through a large-scale study, presenting their key finding and a possible explanation for it.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? We need to find the choice that best emphasizes the research study's AIM (purpose/objective).
What type of answer do we need? A statement that highlights what the researchers were trying to accomplish and why.
Any limiting keywords? "emphasize the aim" - so we need to focus specifically on the research objective, not the methods, results, or conclusions.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The research aim is clearly stated: Meiri's team investigated which factors influence lizard clutch size
- But to emphasize the AIM, we need to understand WHY they wanted to investigate this
- The first note provides the crucial motivation - there's a research gap because bird clutch factors are well-studied but lizard factors aren't
- The right answer should mention that researchers wanted to know which factors influence lizard clutch size and include the motivation because it's been studied in birds but not lizards
Researchers wanted to know which factors influence lizard egg clutch size because such factors have been well studied in birds but not in lizards.
- Directly states the research aim and provides the crucial motivation by connecting it to the research gap that motivated the study
- This perfectly emphasizes the AIM
After they obtained data for over 3,900 lizard species, researchers determined that larger clutch size was associated with environments in higher latitudes that have more seasonal change.
- Focuses on the results rather than the research aim
- While factually accurate, it doesn't accomplish the goal of emphasizing the aim
We now know that lizards in higher-latitude environments may lay larger clutches to take advantage of shorter windows of favorable conditions.
- Presents the conclusion/interpretation rather than the research aim
- Doesn't mention what the researchers wanted to investigate or why
Researchers obtained clutch-size and habitat data for over 3,900 lizard species and analyzed the data with statistical models.
- Describes the methodology rather than the aim
- Doesn't explain why they conducted the research or what they hoped to discover