While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:The Framingham Heart Study began in 1948 in Framingham, Massachusetts.It...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- The Framingham Heart Study began in 1948 in Framingham, Massachusetts.
- It was designed to identify common factors contributing to cardiovascular disease.
- The study initially enrolled 5,209 adult participants from the town of Framingham.
- It has been ongoing for over 75 years, making it one of the longest-running epidemiological studies.
- The study has produced over 3,000 scientific publications.
- It pioneered the use of the term "risk factors" in medical research.
The student wants to highlight the scope of the Framingham Heart Study's participant base. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
The Framingham Heart Study, which began in 1948, was designed to identify cardiovascular disease factors.
Enrolling 5,209 adult participants from Framingham, Massachusetts, the Framingham Heart Study has been ongoing for over 75 years.
The pioneering Framingham Heart Study has produced over 3,000 scientific publications since 1948.
One of the longest-running epidemiological studies, the Framingham Heart Study introduced the term "risk factors."
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The Framingham Heart Study began in 1948 in Framingham, Massachusetts." |
|
| "It was designed to identify common factors contributing to cardiovascular disease." |
|
| "The study initially enrolled 5,209 adult participants from the town of Framingham." |
|
| "It has been ongoing for over 75 years, making it one of the longest-running epidemiological studies." |
|
| "The study has produced over 3,000 scientific publications." |
|
| "It pioneered the use of the term 'risk factors' in medical research." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The Framingham Heart Study is a groundbreaking, long-running cardiovascular research project that has made significant contributions to medical knowledge over more than 75 years.
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
- The right answer should include the specific number of participants (5,209) to show scale
- Mention that participants were adults to show demographic scope
- Include the geographic source (Framingham, Massachusetts) to show the participant base's origin
- Prominently feature the participant numbers and origins while demonstrating the scale of the study's participant base
The Framingham Heart Study, which began in 1948, was designed to identify cardiovascular disease factors.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on when the study began (1948) and its design purpose (cardiovascular disease factors)
- Contains no information about participants whatsoever
Enrolling 5,209 adult participants from Framingham, Massachusetts, the Framingham Heart Study has been ongoing for over 75 years.
✓ Correct
- Opens with "Enrolling 5,209 adult participants from Framingham, Massachusetts" which directly addresses participant scope with specific numbers and geographic origin
- Shows the scale (5,209 people), demographic (adults), and location (Framingham, MA)
- Perfectly matches our prethinking about what information highlights participant base scope
The pioneering Framingham Heart Study has produced over 3,000 scientific publications since 1948.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on research output (3,000+ publications) rather than participants
- This represents the trap of thinking "scope" refers to the study's overall impact rather than specifically the participant base
One of the longest-running epidemiological studies, the Framingham Heart Study introduced the term "risk factors."
✗ Incorrect
- Emphasizes the study's duration and historical significance but provides no details about participants, their numbers, or origins