While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:The magnificent frigatebird (fregata magnificens) is a species of seabird...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- The magnificent frigatebird (fregata magnificens) is a species of seabird that feeds mainly on fish, tuna, squid, and other small sea animals.
- It is unusual among seabirds in that it doesn't dive into the water for prey.
- One way it acquires food is by using its hook-tipped bill to snatch prey from the surface of the water.
- Another way it acquires food is by taking it from weaker birds by force.
- This behavior is known as kleptoparasitism.
The student wants to emphasize a similarity between the two ways a magnificent frigatebird acquires food. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
A magnificent frigatebird never dives into the water, instead using its hook-tipped bill to snatch prey from the surface.
Neither of a magnificent frigatebird's two ways of acquiring food requires the bird to dive into the water.
Of the magnificent frigatebird's two ways of acquiring food, only one is known as kleptoparasitism.
In addition to snatching prey from the water with its hook-tipped bill, a magnificent frigatebird takes food from other birds by force.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| The magnificent frigatebird (fregata magnificens) is a species of seabird that feeds mainly on fish, tuna, squid, and other small sea animals. |
|
| It is unusual among seabirds in that it doesn't dive into the water for prey. |
|
| One way it acquires food is by using its hook-tipped bill to snatch prey from the surface of the water. |
|
| Another way it acquires food is by taking it from weaker birds by force. |
|
| This behavior is known as kleptoparasitism. |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The magnificent frigatebird uses two distinct feeding methods, both of which avoid diving into water unlike other seabirds.
Argument Flow: The notes first establish what the frigatebird is and what it eats, then highlight its unique characteristic of not diving for prey. The notes then detail the bird's two feeding strategies—surface snatching and stealing from other birds—before providing the scientific term for the stealing behavior.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which choice most effectively emphasizes a similarity between the two feeding methods.
What type of answer do we need? A statement that highlights what the two feeding methods have in common.
Any limiting keywords? "Most effectively" means we need the choice that best accomplishes the goal, and "similarity" specifically asks for what the methods share, not how they differ.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Looking at our analysis, both feeding methods share one key characteristic: neither requires the bird to dive into the water
- The passage explicitly states the frigatebird "doesn't dive into the water for prey," and both methods (surface snatching and stealing from other birds) happen without diving
- The right answer should highlight this shared trait—that both feeding strategies avoid diving into water, which makes the frigatebird unusual among seabirds
A magnificent frigatebird never dives into the water, instead using its hook-tipped bill to snatch prey from the surface.
- Only describes one feeding method (surface snatching)
- Completely ignores the second method (kleptoparasitism)
- Can't emphasize a similarity between two methods when it only mentions one
Neither of a magnificent frigatebird's two ways of acquiring food requires the bird to dive into the water.
- Directly states that "neither" method requires diving
- Uses parallel structure to emphasize the similarity
- Perfectly matches our prethinking about their shared characteristic
Of the magnificent frigatebird's two ways of acquiring food, only one is known as kleptoparasitism.
- Emphasizes a difference rather than a similarity
- States that "only one" method is kleptoparasitism, which highlights contrast
- Does the opposite of what the student wants
In addition to snatching prey from the water with its hook-tipped bill, a magnificent frigatebird takes food from other birds by force.
- Simply lists both methods without emphasizing any similarity
- Uses "in addition to" which suggests variety rather than commonality