While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:The mountain pygmy possum is a mammal species.Up until 1966,...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- The mountain pygmy possum is a mammal species.
- Up until 1966, it was believed to be extinct.
- That year, a live mountain pygmy possum was identified in the wild in Australia.
- The mountain pygmy possum is considered a Lazarus species.
- 'Lazarus species' is a term for living species of organisms that were once believed to be extinct.
The student wants to define the term 'Lazarus species' and provide an example of one. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish these goals?
The term 'Lazarus species' describes a living species of organism, such as the mountain pygmy possum, that was once believed to be extinct.
One example of a Lazarus species is the mountain pygmy possum, a mammal species that was identified in the wild in Australia in 1966.
The mountain pygmy possum, a species of mammal, was identified in the wild in 1966.
Sometimes, a species once believed to be extinct is later found living in the wild.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The mountain pygmy possum is a mammal species." |
|
| "Up until 1966, it was believed to be extinct." |
|
| "That year, a live mountain pygmy possum was identified in the wild in Australia." |
|
| "The mountain pygmy possum is considered a Lazarus species." |
|
| "'Lazarus species' is a term for living species of organisms that were once believed to be extinct." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The mountain pygmy possum serves as an example of a Lazarus species, which is a term for organisms that were once believed extinct but were later found to be alive.
Argument Flow: The notes start by introducing the mountain pygmy possum as a mammal, then establish its historical context of being thought extinct until 1966 when it was rediscovered alive in Australia. The notes then classify it as a Lazarus species and provide the definition of this scientific term.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
Now that we understand the passage, let's nail down exactly what the question wants from us...
The question tells us: "The student wants to define the term 'Lazarus species' and provide an example of one."
- What's being asked? Which choice accomplishes both goals: defining "Lazarus species" AND providing an example
- What type of answer do we need? A sentence that includes both the definition and an example
- Any limiting keywords? "most effectively" - we need the choice that does both tasks well, not just one
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
Let's first think about what the right answer should tell us:
- It must include a definition of "Lazarus species" (living organisms once believed extinct)
- It must provide the mountain pygmy possum as an example
- It should connect these two elements clearly so readers understand why the possum fits the definition
- The structure should make both the definition and example equally clear
The term 'Lazarus species' describes a living species of organism, such as the mountain pygmy possum, that was once believed to be extinct.
- Provides a clear definition: "living species of organism...that was once believed to be extinct"
- Explicitly presents the mountain pygmy possum as an example using "such as"
- Accomplishes both goals stated in the question effectively
- The structure makes the definition-example relationship crystal clear
One example of a Lazarus species is the mountain pygmy possum, a mammal species that was identified in the wild in Australia in 1966.
- Provides an example (mountain pygmy possum) with supporting details
- Never actually defines what "Lazarus species" means
- Only accomplishes one of the two required goals
- What trap this represents: Students might choose this because it provides rich detail about the example, but it fails to define the term
The mountain pygmy possum, a species of mammal, was identified in the wild in 1966.
- Only provides information about the mountain pygmy possum
- Doesn't mention "Lazarus species" at all
- Fails both goals - no definition and no connection to the term
Sometimes, a species once believed to be extinct is later found living in the wild.
- Describes the concept behind Lazarus species without using the term
- Provides no specific example
- What trap this represents: Students might think this works because it captures the general idea, but it doesn't actually define "Lazarus species" or provide the required example