While inspecting a herbarium from the 1800s, a researcher found that the majority of plant samples had maintained exceptional preservation...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
While inspecting a herbarium from the 1800s, a researcher found that the majority of plant samples had maintained exceptional preservation quality over the decades. Biological matter generally degrades quickly when subjected to humidity and temperature variations, except when maintained in consistently regulated atmospheric conditions. Consequently, these samples were presumably ______
Which choice most logically completes the text?
specimens from plant varieties with inherent resistance to decomposition.
maintained under environmentally controlled storage conditions during their preservation period.
gathered at a time when botanical preservation methods were superior.
survivors from a more extensive collection that deteriorated over time.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'While inspecting a herbarium from the 1800s, a researcher found that the majority of plant samples had maintained exceptional preservation quality over the decades.' |
|
| 'Biological matter generally degrades quickly when subjected to humidity and temperature variations, except when maintained in consistently regulated atmospheric conditions.' |
|
| 'Consequently, these samples were presumably ______' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Since old herbarium samples are well-preserved and biological matter only stays preserved under controlled atmospheric conditions, these samples must have been stored under such controlled conditions.
Argument Flow: The passage presents a surprising observation (old samples are well-preserved), provides a scientific principle about what causes preservation (controlled atmospheric conditions), and then sets up a logical conclusion that must follow from combining these two pieces of information.
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 passage gives us two key pieces of information: old plant samples are surprisingly well-preserved, and biological matter only stays preserved under consistently controlled atmospheric conditions
- The logical connection is clear - if the samples are well-preserved, and preservation only happens under controlled conditions, then these samples must have been kept under controlled conditions
- So the right answer should indicate that the samples were stored under environmentally controlled or regulated atmospheric conditions during their preservation period
specimens from plant varieties with inherent resistance to decomposition.
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests the plants themselves had natural resistance to decomposition
- Ignores the passage's emphasis on atmospheric conditions being the key factor
maintained under environmentally controlled storage conditions during their preservation period.
✓ Correct
- Directly follows the logical chain: samples preserved → preservation requires controlled conditions → samples must have been under controlled conditions
- Uses 'environmentally controlled storage conditions' which perfectly captures the 'consistently regulated atmospheric conditions' mentioned in the passage
gathered at a time when botanical preservation methods were superior.
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests superior preservation methods in the past
- The passage doesn't compare historical methods to current ones
- Doesn't address the specific atmospheric conditions requirement
survivors from a more extensive collection that deteriorated over time.
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests these are survivors from a larger collection
- Doesn't explain why these particular samples are well-preserved