While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Yellowstone is a national park in the northwest United States.In...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Yellowstone is a national park in the northwest United States.
- In 1995, gray wolves were reintroduced into the park.
- Since then, the number of gray wolves in the park has stabilized at roughly 100.
- This number is believed to be the park's carrying capacity.
- Carrying capacity describes the maximum number of a species that a specific environment's resources can sustain over time.
The student wants to specify the number of gray wolves in Yellowstone. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Gray wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone, a national park in the northwest United States, in 1995.
As of 1995, there were gray wolves living in Yellowstone, a national park in the northwest United States.
The carrying capacity of an environment, such as Yellowstone, describes the maximum number of species that the environment can sustain over time.
Yellowstone is a national park that has roughly 100 gray wolves living in it.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Yellowstone is a national park in the northwest United States." |
|
| "In 1995, gray wolves were reintroduced into the park." |
|
| "Since then, the number of gray wolves in the park has stabilized at roughly 100." |
|
| "This number is believed to be the park's carrying capacity." |
|
| "Carrying capacity describes the maximum number of a species that a specific environment's resources can sustain over time." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Yellowstone National Park currently has about 100 gray wolves, which represents the carrying capacity for this species in that environment.
Argument Flow: The notes establish Yellowstone as the setting, then describe the 1995 wolf reintroduction. They provide current population data (roughly 100 wolves) and explain this number's scientific significance as the park's carrying capacity, concluding with a definition of that term.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The student wants to specify the number of gray wolves in Yellowstone.
What type of answer do we need? A statement that gives the specific number of wolves currently in the park.
Any limiting keywords? "specify the number" - this means the answer must include the actual numerical information about how many wolves are in Yellowstone.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The right answer should include the specific number of gray wolves currently in Yellowstone (roughly 100)
- The right answer should identify Yellowstone as the location
- The right answer should present this as current information, not historical
Gray wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone, a national park in the northwest United States, in 1995.
✗ Incorrect
- This choice focuses on the 1995 reintroduction event but doesn't provide any number of wolves currently in the park
As of 1995, there were gray wolves living in Yellowstone, a national park in the northwest United States.
✗ Incorrect
- This choice mentions that wolves were living there as of 1995 but doesn't give any specific number
The carrying capacity of an environment, such as Yellowstone, describes the maximum number of species that the environment can sustain over time.
✗ Incorrect
- This choice defines carrying capacity using Yellowstone as an example but doesn't specify the actual number of wolves in Yellowstone
Yellowstone is a national park that has roughly 100 gray wolves living in it.
✓ Correct
- States that Yellowstone has "roughly 100 gray wolves living in it" and directly provides the specific number the student wants to convey