Despite its 1989 designation as a threatened species under the federal

Question

Despite its 1989 designation as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act, the desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii, has declined in numbers by ninety percent since the 1980s. Although federal protection made it illegal to harm desert tortoises or remove them from the wild of the southwestern North American deserts, this measure has been insufficient to reverse the species’ decline, and further intervention is required.

Recovery has been slow, partly due to the desert tortoise’s low reproductive potential. Females breed only after reaching full size at fifteen to twenty years of age, and even then may only lay eggs when adequate forage is available. Although the number of eggs in each clutch varies, and each female might lay a few clutches in one season, the average mature female produces only a few eggs annually. From these precious eggs, hatchlings emerge wearing soft shells that will harden slowly into protective armor over the next five years. The vulnerable young are entirely neglected by adult tortoises, and only five percent ultimately reach adulthood.

Predators are blamed for most tortoise deaths; ravens, specifically, are estimated to cause more than half of the juvenile tortoise deaths in the Mojave Desert. Tortoise eggs and juveniles, with their delicate shells, can fall prey to many birds, mammals, and other reptiles. For protection from predators, as well as from desert temperature extremes, tortoises of all ages burrow into the earth. However, if rabbits and rodents are scarce, larger mammalian predators may dig tortoises out of their burrows, devouring even mature tortoises despite their hardened shells.

Even with current protections from human interference, the desert tortoise faces a tough recovery, so additional measures must be taken. First, the limited habitat of desert tortoises, with soil suitable for their burrows, must be protected from development. Next, urban expansion often has the unintended effect of increasing raven populations, so aggressive measures to control the birds are necessary to increase desert tortoise hatchling survival rates. Finally, released captive tortoises typically perish, and can pass upper respiratory tract disease into the wild population with devastating consequences.

Though desert tortoises are well adapted to arid habitats, and adults can survive a year without access to water, they rely heavily on moisture in the vegetation consumed in spring, when they surface from their hibernal dormancy. The loss of native plants to grazing livestock and invasive plant species, then, may lessen the tortoise’s resistance to pathogens, though the tortoises do also dig precipitation basins in the soil and linger near one when rain is impending.

However, if rabbits and rodents are scarce, larger predators may exhume tortoises from their burrows, devouring even mature tortoises despite their hardened shells. Further, tortoises are susceptible to a wide range of pathogens. The population decline is partly due to upper respiratory tract disease (URTD), characterized by nasal and ocular discharge and palpebral edema. In 2006, more than 80 percent of captive desert tortoises had  anti-mycoplasma antibodies , seropositive indication of the disease. Released captive tortoises can rapidly spread URTD into the wild population with devastating consequences. Though desert tortoises are well adapted to arid habitats, and adults can survive a year without access to water, they rely heavily on moisture in the vegetation consumed in spring, when they surface from their hibernal dormancy.   1 
 E 
 1. It can be inferred from the passage that the desert tortoise mortality rate would be most likely to decrease if which of the following were true?

(A) Desert tortoise burrows were cooler.
(B) Male and female tortoises mated more frequently.
(C) Adult tortoises provided better care for their young.
(D) Forage plants were abundant in the habitat of the desert tortoise.
(E) Rabbits were abundant in the habitat of the desert tortoise.

2 
 C 
 2. The passage mentions each of the following as reasons that the desert tortoise is a threatened species EXCEPT

(A) expansion of urban areas near the desert tortoise habitat
(B) the low reproductive rate of desert tortoises
(C) desert temperature extremes
(D) predation by ravens
(E) the release of captive tortoises by pet owners

3 
 B 
 3. The primary intent of the passage is to do which of the following?

(A) Describe the lifecycle of a species
(B) Advocate future actions
(C) Discuss a problem
(D) Evaluate past actions
(E) Criticize the government

4 
 D 
 4. Previous efforts to protect the desert tortoise are regarded by the author with

(A) weary skepticism
(B) complete satisfaction
(C) implied opposition
(D) qualified approval
(E) overt disdain

5 
 E 
 5. The passage implies that precipitation in the desert tortoise’s habitat

A. falls approximately once a year
B. increases the tortoise’s resistance to pathogens
C. falls mainly in the spring
D. is consumed primarily by grazing livestock
E. is collected by the tortoises intentionally

6 
 A 
 6. The passage implies that a mature female desert tortoise

A. has little contact with its offspring after birth
B. might produce only one surviving offspring each decade
C. has a softer shell than a mature male desert tortoise
D. produces fewer offspring than a mature male desert tortoise
E. reaches reproductive maturity at a later age than a male desert tortoise

7 
 A 
 7. The author uses the adjective “precious” in the sixth sentence of the first paragraph most likely to emphasize that :

(A) the number of eggs produced by female desert tortoises is limited
(B) the shells of desert tortoise eggs are delicate and easily broken
(C) desert tortoise eggs have high economic value
(D) the eggs are fiercely protected by the female desert tortoise
(D) predators, such as mammals and other reptiles, forage for desert tortoise eggs

8 
 B 
 8. The primary purpose of the passage is to

A. describe the lifecycle of a species 
B. discuss the threats faced by a certain species
C. advocate research on a disease wide-spread among captive animals
D. evaluate potential solutions to a wildlife problem
E. criticize federal legislation protecting a certain species

9 
 D 
 9. The author mentions “anti-mycoplasma antibodies” ( Highlighted ) in the second paragraph in order to

A. claim that captive tortoises should not be released into the wild
B. refute claims that captive tortoises are more healthy than those in the wild
C. suggest an explanation for certain disease symptoms
D. emphasize how widespread a disease is in a population
E. discuss the effects of diet on the desert tortoise’s susceptibility to disease

Manhattan CAT 6

Carcass · Accepted Answer

Sorry 3 out of 4 wrong. You have to deal with such tough passages if you want to aim a good score.

Moreover, believe or not this is not the toughest, is not the top notch passage in terms of difficulty/toughness

Here the answers. Ask if something remains unclear

1. The passage cites several factors that negatively impact the desert tortoise 
population, mainly the threat of predators. The mortality rate would be most 
likely to decrease if one of those reasons were eliminated. 
 
(A) The passage states that tortoises burrow into the ground for protection from 
“desert temperature extremes.” The passage does not state that tortoises are only 
vulnerable to heat. The “desert temperature extremes” may also refer to extreme 
cold, in which case tortoises burrow to keep warm. Thus, cooler burrows might 
actually be harmful to the tortoises. 
 
(B) The passage does not mention the mating frequency of desert tortoises. 
Furthermore, while we might be able to infer that more frequent mating might 
increase the number of desert tortoise hatchlings, we cannot infer that more frequent 
mating would reduce the mortality rate of those tortoises. 
 
(C) The vulnerability of hatchling and juvenile tortoises is mentioned, along with the 
fact that adult tortoises provide no care for their offspring. However, there is nothing 
in the passage to indicate that adult tortoises could have any positive effect on the 
survival rate of young tortoises by providing better care for them. It is entirely 
possible that adult tortoises are simply not equipped to protect the young from 
predators; feeding and caring for the hatchlings may have no effect on the juvenile 
survival rate. 
 
(D) The passage states that females “may only lay eggs when adequate forage is 
available.” If adequate forage were available, then females will be more likely to lay 
eggs than they would when forage is scarce. However, the passage does not 
indicate that the availability of abundant forage plants will make the desert tortoises 
any more likely to survive once hatched. 
 
(E)  CORRECT . The passage states that larger mammalian predators eat desert 
tortoises when rabbits and rodents are scarce. If rabbits were abundant, such predators would not seek out the desert tortoise, and the mortality rate would likely 
decrease. 
 
2. The passage discusses several reasons that the desert tortoise is a 
threatened species. In the second paragraph, the tortoise’s reproductive cycle 
is discussed, with an emphasis on its low reproductive rate. In the third 
paragraph, predators such as ravens are discussed. In the final paragraph, 
the author recommends additional measures to protect the desert tortoise 
from harm caused by urban expansion and the release of captive tortoises. 
 
(A) In the last paragraph, the author does mention that urban expansion has the 
unintended effect of increasing the population of ravens, cited in the third paragraph 
as the primary predator of juvenile tortoises. 
 
(B) The second paragraph discusses the low reproductive rate of desert tortoises as 
one reason for their population decline and slow recovery. 
 
(C)  CORRECT . Although desert temperature extremes are mentioned in the third 
paragraph, they are cited as a reason that desert tortoises burrow into the earth, not 
as a reason that the desert tortoise is a threatened species. 
 
(D) The third paragraph discusses several predators of the desert tortoise, 
specifically ravens. 
 
(E) The release of captive tortoises by pet owners is mentioned in the last sentence 
of the passage as a danger to the wild tortoise population. 
 
3. To determine the author’s primary intent, we must look at the whole passage. 
The first paragraph introduces a problem (the decline of the desert tortoise 
species), and describes action taken by the government to address the 
problem while also indicating the need for further steps. The second 
paragraph explains why the species has been slow to recover. The third 
paragraph discusses non-human threats to the desert tortoise. Finally, the last 
paragraph advocates additional measures to protect the desert tortoise 
species. The author is primarily interested in advocating future actions to 
protect the desert tortoise (last paragraph), while the preceding paragraphs 
serve as background information necessary to make this point. 
 
(A) The lifecycle of the species is partially discussed in the second paragraph, but 
this is not the primary intent of the entire passage. 
 
(B)  CORRECT . In the last paragraph, the author strongly states that “additional 
measures must be taken,” then advocates several actions to be taken in the future. 
 
(C) The passage does discuss a problem (the decline of the desert tortoise species), 
but does not stop there. The author discusses a problem primarily to explain why 
future actions are advocated. 
 (D) The designation of the desert tortoise as a threatened species is one past action 
mentioned, but the passage does not evaluate it beyond saying that it is insufficient 
to address the decline of the species. 
 
(E) The government is mentioned briefly in the first paragraph, but the passage does 
not criticize the government. 
 
4. 
The previous measure to protect the desert tortoise mentioned in the passage is the 
designation of the species as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. 
The author certainly agrees that the desert tortoise is a threatened species: the 
second and third paragraphs discuss several problems faced by the species. 
However, the author believes that the previous efforts have “been insufficient to 
reverse the species’ decline” (last line of the first paragraph) and that “even with 
current protections…the desert tortoise faces a tough recovery, so additional 
measures must be taken” (first line of the last paragraph). 
 
(A) The author is not skeptical of the previous efforts; rather the author agrees with 
them but feels that they have not gone far enough. 
 
(B) The author feels that the previous efforts to protect the desert tortoise have been 
insufficient, so while the author may have regard for those efforts, “complete 
satisfaction” is too strongly worded. 
 
(C) The author does not imply opposition to the previous efforts to protect the desert 
tortoise; the author agrees with those efforts, but feels that they have been 
insufficient. 
 
(D)  CORRECT . The author does approve of the designation of the desert tortoise as 
a threatened species, but qualifies that approval with the assertion that “additional 
measures must be taken.” 
 
(E) The author is not disdainful of the previous efforts to protect the desert tortoise; 
the author supports those efforts, but feels that they have been insufficient.

KarishmaB · Answer

Responding to a pm:

Q 4 Previous efforts to protect the desert tortoise are regarded by the author with

(A) weary skepticism
(B) complete satisfaction
(C) implied opposition
(D) qualified approval
(E) overt disdain

Notice the author's language:
...this measure has been insufficient to reverse the species’ decline, and further intervention is required.
...Even with current protections from human interference, the desert tortoise faces a tough recovery, so additional measures must be taken.

The author approves of current measures but says that they are incomplete.

"qualified" has many meanings - one of them is "partial or incomplete".
Hence, qualified approval is the answer here.

Why is it not (A)? 
"skepticism" is doubt. The author does not doubt the previous efforts. He says "even with current protections ... additional are required". He just feels that more needs to be done.

Answer (D)

Carcass · Answer

The first times I studied RC my approach was: trying to spot the answer or to take notes and then related to the question; then I went up and down throughout the same, looking at my notes and so on.........basically I did nothing ggod, at all.

But with time, patience and reading each day Rc from whatsoever source I fixed it.

In my opinion for instance is useless to read from books and the economist because too difficult, it depends. From me is not a problem but for others maybe yes.

better to read something that is tough but also well written and also not so far from the scope of the gmat or lofty

These are fine and free of charge not like The New yorker or the economist (though I love them to read)

https://www.theatlantic.com/

https://www.fee.org/the_freeman/ (also downloadable in free pdf)

or this one also endorsed by GMAC

https://www.bizedmagazine.com/archives/2012/default.asp

In the end, now I read the passage in its entirely and often neither take notes and try to UNDERSTAND the passage, each phrase. Of course this take time but it is worth

perseverance84 · Answer

Carcass,
I've a question for you since 1st question asks what can be infered from the passage, what approach did u use? Because the whole passage talks abt the increase in the mortality rate of desert tortoise and the information is scattered, which is hard to retain these small details. I understand that inference question will be a restatement of information present in passage but solving it in within 2 mins and evaluating each statement in such a long passage seems bit unreasonable.

Any helpful tips???

Carcass · Answer

Nothing but practice.

What you said is correct: generally inference question are a restate of somthing in the passage. true.

However, often inference is something that you draw from the passage as  whole

Try to eliminate choices based on things such as: words too extreme, phrases that go too far from the passage and so on.

me too at the beginning these words suggested me nothing or little but with practice you figure out almost suddenly an answer that is or out of scope or too far and so forth.

When you hear story about one month of preparation and bingo: forget about it. real gmat is a long story that you can make more or less short, but basically it is a real story to tell,long

dabaobao · Answer

Official Solution (Credit: Manhattan Prep)

1. It can be inferred from the passage that the desert tortoise mortality rate would be most likely to decrease if which of the following were true?

(A) Desert tortoise burrows were cooler.
(B) Male and female tortoises mated more frequently.
(C) Adult tortoises provided better care for their young.
(D) Forage plants were abundant in the habitat of the desert tortoise.
(E) Rabbits were abundant in the habitat of the desert tortoise.

It can be inferred from the passage that the desert tortoise mortality rate would be most likely to decrease if which of the following were true?

Desert tortoise burrows were cooler.

Male and female tortoises mated more frequently.

A law is passed requiring developers of new projects to maintain a certain distance from any existing desert tortoise burrows.

Forage plants were abundant in the habitat of the desert tortoise.

Rabbits were abundant in the habitat of the desert tortoise.
The passage cites several factors that negatively impact the desert tortoise population. One factor, “low reproductive potential,” affects only the rate of population recovery; this factor does not affect the mortality (death) rate. Other factors (predators, disease, and diet) can affect the mortality rate. The mortality rate would be most likely to decrease if one of those threats were eliminated.

(A) The passage states that tortoises burrow into the ground for protection from “desert temperature extremes.” The passage does not state that tortoises are vulnerable to “heat.” The “desert temperature extremes” may refer to extreme cold, in which case tortoises might burrow to keep warm. Thus, cooler burrows might actually be harmful to the tortoises.

(B) The passage does not mention the mating frequency of desert tortoises. Furthermore, while we might be able to infer that more frequent mating might increase the number of desert tortoise hatchlings, there is no reason to expect that more frequent mating would alter the mortality rate of those tortoises.

(C) The passage does not mention the effect, if any, of new development on tortoises. It is possible that development might introduce “non-native” and “invasive plant species” (possible, though not proven, threats according to the passage), or that development might bring captive desert tortoises close to wild populations (a definite disease risk mentioned in the passage). But that is just speculation, for which the passage offers no support.

(D) The passage states that females “may only lay eggs when adequate forage is available.” If adequate forage were available, then females will be more likely to lay eggs than they would when forage is scarce. The last paragraph indicates that tortoises “rely heavily” on certain native vegetation, but also that “invasive plant species” could be harmful to the tortoises. An abundance of non-native forage plants, then, could actually be harmful to the tortoises.

(E) CORRECT. The passage states that "for protection from predators ... tortoises of all ages burrow into the earth. However, if rabbits and rodents are scarce, larger predators may exhume tortoises from their burrows." If larger predators seek out tortoises specifically because rabbits are scarce, then if rabbits were more abundant, the larger predators would be less likely to seek out tortoises for food. As a result, the mortality rate might decrease.

dabaobao · Answer

Official Solution (Credit: Manhattan Prep)

5. The passage implies that precipitation in the desert tortoise’s habitat

A. falls approximately once a year
B. increases the tortoise’s resistance to pathogens
C. falls mainly in the spring
D. is consumed primarily by grazing livestock
E. is collected by the tortoises intentionally

Precipitation in the desert tortoise’s habitat is discussed in the last paragraph. A severe lack of precipitation is implied: the tortoise is “well adapted to its arid habitat” and “can survive a year without access to water.” It is also stated that tortoises rely on plants for moisture, as well as rain collected in “precipitation basins in the soil,” dug by the tortoises themselves.

(A) Although “adults can survive a year without access to water,” the passage does not suggest that rain generally falls this infrequently.

(B) The passage states that “the loss of native plants to grazing livestock and invasive plant species may lessen the tortoise’s resistance to pathogens.” This answer choice says the opposite.

(C) The passage states that “desert tortoises rely heavily on moisture in the grasses and wildflowers consumed in the spring,” but does not indicate in which season(s) precipitation typically falls.

(D) The passage implies that grazing livestock cause “the loss of native plants,” but does not indicate that livestock consume most of the precipitation in the habitat.

(E) CORRECT.  The last sentence of the passage states that the tortoises “dig precipitation basins in the soil and linger near one when rain is impending.” The actions of digging to create the basins and lingering nearby when it rains imply an intent to collect precipitation.

dabaobao · Answer

Official Solution (Credit: Manhattan Prep)

The passage mentions each of the following as a known reason that the desert tortoise is a threatened species EXCEPT

the flexibility of the desert tortoise’s shell in the first years of life

the low reproductive rate of desert tortoises

reduced efficacy of precipitation basins dug in the soil

predation by fellow reptiles

the transmission of disease from previously-caged tortoises released into native habitat
The passage discusses multiple reasons that the desert tortoise is a threatened species. Because this is an Except question, try to find proof for four of the answers in the passage; these four are the wrong answers. The answer that is left over will be the correct answer.

(A) The first paragraph mentions the soft shells of hatchlings that take five years to harden into protective armor. The young are described as vulnerable and having a very low survival rate (5%).

(B) The first paragraph discusses the low reproductive potential of desert tortoises. Females can’t lay eggs until fifteen to twenty years of age, and even then may only lay eggs when adequate forage is available. Further, the females produce only a few eggs annually.

(C) CORRECT. The third paragraph does mention precipitation basins that the tortoises dig into the soil, but these basins are mentioned as a positive way in which the tortoises do gain access to water. The passage mentions nothing to indicate or imply that the precipitation basins are less effective than they used to be.

(D) The second sentence of the second paragraph says that tortoise eggs and juveniles can fall pretty to mammals and other reptiles.

(E) The second paragraph discusses a disease that is wide-spread among captive (or caged) tortoises, and indicates that released captive tortoises can rapidly spread (the disease) into the wild population with devastating consequences.

mira93 · Answer

5. The passage implies that precipitation in the desert tortoise’s habitat

A. falls approximately once a year
B. increases the tortoise’s resistance to pathogens
C. falls mainly in the spring
D. is consumed primarily by grazing livestock
E. is collected by the tortoises intentionally.

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

The passage implies indicates an Inference question. Precipitation in the desert tortoise’s habitat is discussed in the last paragraph. A severe lack of precipitation is implied: the tortoise is well adapted to arid habitats and can survive a year without access to water. It is also stated that tortoises rely on plants for moisture, as well as rain collected in precipitation basins in the soil, dug by the tortoises themselves.

(A) Although adults can survive a year without access to water, the passage does not suggest that rain generally falls this infrequently.

(B) The passage states that the loss of native plants to grazing livestock and invasive plant species, then, may lessen the tortoise’s resistance to pathogens. This answer choice says the opposite.

(C) The passage states that desert tortoises rely heavily on moisture in the vegetation consumed in spring, but does not indicate in which season(s) precipitation typically falls.

(D) The passage implies that grazing livestock cause the loss of native plants, but does not indicate that livestock consume most of the precipitation in the habitat.

(E) CORRECT.  The last sentence of the passage states that the tortoises dig precipitation basins in the soil and linger near one when rain is impending. The actions of digging to create the basins and lingering nearby when it rains imply an intent to collect precipitation.

sudeepmodak · Answer

Q5 help needed on E. How did we arrive on this solution.

ReedArnoldMPREP · Answer

Step 1: read the question

So this is an INFERENCE question, which means the answer to the question is logically implied by what's in the passage, even if it's not explicitly spelled out for us. We want to say what is implied about precipitation in the tortoise's habitats.

Little bit of vocab needed there. 'Precipitation' means 'rain,' more or less.

The information about the weather and rain comes in the final paragraph. So what do we know about rain in these habitats? Well we know it's not frequent, as it's an 'arid' habitat. The last line of the passage says that the tortoises 'dig precipitation basins' in the soil and linger near one when rain is impending. So we know the tortoiss collect precipitation themselves.

Now I go to the answer choices:

Nothing in the passage says that precipitation only falls one a year. If you thought this answer was correct, it might be because this bit: "adults can survive a year without access to water, they rely heavily on moisture in the vegetation consumed in spring," which does mention a 'year' and then 'spring' (which might be thought of as a 'single time in a year.' But that sentence does not mean precipitation only falls once a year.

The only connection to resistance to pathogens we get pertains to the loss of native plants, not to precipitation itself.

This is likely true, but is not in the passage. We're told the animals eat a lot of vegetation in spring, and they rely on that vegetation for moisture. But that's not about rainfall itself.

Again, this is pertaining more to vegetation, not to precipitation itself.

This seems right, as the tortoises dig basins in the soil (a basin is like a 'bowl'). So they dig a bowl, and sit by the bowl when rain is coming. Seems that they do that to collect rainwater.

."

Per the logic of 'though,' doesn't it seem that the 'something else' is something that can INCREASE resistance to pathogens? It seems the 'though' has a few possible logical functions in that clause: to show that there is something mitigating the loss of native plants ("though recent laws against livestock grazing in tortoise habits have been passed"); to show that while the loss of native plants does some harm it also does some good ("though many of the vegetation are also highly poisonous to tortoises"); to show the loss of vegetation might actually increase resistance to pathogens ("though some scientists think the native plants actually do harm to the tortoise's immune system"); or, to show that the tortoises have another way of getting resistance to pathogens.

The only one that 'tortoises dig precipitation basins' seems to fit would be that last category.

Something about the tortoises digging precipitation bins must qualify the fact that the loss of native plants lessens the tortoise's resistance to pathogens.

This is the best argument I could make for B. And I'm not entirely sure how to break that chain].

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

6. The passage implies that a mature female desert tortoise

Explanation

Female desert tortoises, specifically, are discussed in the second half of the first paragraph. The correct answer will be one that is supported by the facts given in that paragraph, without requiring us to make additional assumptions.

(A)  CORRECT.   The passage states that the female desert tortoise lays the eggs, but the young tortoises are entirely neglected by adults (including the mother). This is equivalent to saying that she has little contact with her offspring.

(B)  The passage does state that the average mature female lays a few egg annually, though only when adequate forage is available, and that only 5% of young reach adulthood (though the length of time to reach adulthood is not specified). This is not enough information to allow us to calculate with certainty how many young may survive a decade. For example, we have no idea in how many laying seasons adequate forage is available, nor do we know whether it takes, perhaps, 15 years to reach adulthood.

(C)  The passage does not compare male and female desert tortoises. The third paragraph only compares hatchlings, who emerge wearing soft shells, and juveniles with their delicate shells, to mature tortoises and their hardened shells.

(D)  The passage does not compare male and female desert tortoises. There is nothing in the passage discussing the reproductive rate of male desert tortoises.

(E)  The passage does not compare male and female desert tortoises. The passage states that female desert tortoises reach reproductive maturity at fifteen to twenty years of age, but does not tell us when male desert tortoises reach maturity.

Answer: A

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

7. The author uses the adjective “precious” in the sixth sentence of the first paragraph most likely to emphasize that:

Explanation

A question about the use of a specific word is a Specific Detail question. Understanding an author’s word choice requires understanding not only the meaning of the word itself, but also the context in which it is used. The author mentions precious eggs within a discussion of the desert tortoise’s low reproductive potential. The preceding text mention several impediments to egg production: females must reach a mature age before laying eggs, they will not lay eggs unless adequate forage is available, and when they do produce eggs, only a few are produced each year.

(A)  CORRECT.   The author’s word choice emphasizes the low egg-laying rate of female desert tortoises.

(B)  Although it is common knowledge in the real world that eggs are generally delicate, the passage does not actually discuss the fragility of the eggshells.

(C)  The passage does not discuss the economic value of the desert tortoise eggs.

(D)  The passage does not indicate whether female tortoises protect their eggs.

(E)  Although predators of desert tortoise eggs are mentioned in the subsequent paragraph, the use of precious in the first paragraph is not intended to indicate the value of the eggs to the predators, but rather that the number of eggs laid by female desert tortoises is limited, even before some are destroyed by predators.

Answer: A

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

8. The primary purpose of the passage is to

Explanation

The words primary purpose indicate that this is a Main Idea question. When answering, consider the whole passage. The first paragraph introduces a problem (the decline of the desert tortoise species), and describes action taken by the government to address the problem. It then details one reason for the species’ lack of recovery (low reproductive potential). The second paragraph offers two more reasons related to mortality rates: predation and disease. The third paragraph discusses a final reason that might be a threat: the potential effect of changing vegetation on the tortoises’ water requirements.
The author is primarily interested in presenting facts about the desert tortoise population and the threats it faces.

(A)  The lifecycle of the species is partially discussed in the first paragraph, but this is not the primary purpose of the entire passage.

(B)  CORRECT.   The first paragraph states that the desert tortoise is a threatened species; all three paragraphs discuss the various threats the species faces.

(C)  The second paragraph does discuss upper respiratory tract disease, which is wide-spread among captive desert tortoises. However, the passage does not go so far as to advocate research on the disease. In any case, the disease is one of several topics discussed in the passage, so this would not be the primary purpose of the passage.

(D)  A wildlife problem is discussed, but potential solutions are not evaluated.

(E)  Federal legislation is mentioned briefly in the first paragraph, but the overall purpose of the passage is not to criticize that legislation.

Answer: B

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

9. The author mentions “anti-mycoplasma antibodies” (Highlighted) in the second paragraph in order to

Difficulty Level:   Hard

Explanation

A question about why the author mentions a certain term is a Specific Detail question. The relevant sentence is the seventh sentence in the second paragraph: In 2006, more than 80 percent of captive desert tortoises had anti-mycoplasma antibodies, seropositive indication of the disease. In other words, the presence of anti-mycoplasma anti-bodies indicates that 80 percent of captive desert tortoises had a certain disease in 2006.

(A)  Although the passage states that released captive tortoises can rapidly spread URTD into the wild population with devastating consequences, it does not explicitly state that captive tortoises should not be released into the wild.

(B)  No claims are made that captive tortoises are healthier than those in the wild, so no such claims are refuted.

(C)  Although the disease symptoms are mentioned in the second paragraph, the anti-mycoplasma antibodies do not explain the symptoms, they merely indicate which tortoises have the disease.

(D)  CORRECT.   The passage mentions the disease URTD as a contributor to the population decline and goes on to indicate that in 2006, more than 80 percent of captive desert tortoises had anti-mycoplasma antibodies, seropositive indication of the disease  . The fact that URTD is so widespread supports the overall claim that the disease is a contributor to the population decline.

(E)  The third paragraph does discuss the possible effects of diet on the desert tortoise’s ability to resist pathogens, but this is not why the term anti-mycoplasma antibodies was introduced in the second paragraph.

Answer: D

Abbas007 · Answer

Length: Is it too long?

GMAT RC passage length (typical):

~250–350 words (most common)

Occasionally up to ~400 words

Very rarely longer, and only if extremely tight

Your passage is ~600–650 words, depending on how you count.

👉 That is too long for an official GMAT passage.

So on length alone: ❌ not GMAT-standard.

miag · Answer

Hi,

Thank you for your feedback. Just to clarify, this passage is from  official Manhattan GMAT material , so while it is longer than the most common GMAT RC passages, it’s still within the range used by reputable GMAT prep sources.
Manhattan passages are sometimes intentionally longer or denser than official GMAT passages to:
 
 train endurance and structural reading, 
 expose students to academic-style complexity, 
 and prepare students for worst-case RC scenarios.

kartickdey · Answer

the statement in B states that "   might produce only one surviving offspring each decade  ". The option B does not state with surity that it produce only one surviving offspring each decade but it might; it talks about one possibility. Please explain how it is not possible. If the mother tortoise gave birth to 2 offspring every year and in that process gives birth to 20 offsprings in a decade; and if only 5% survives, then only one survives in a decade. So it is quite possible. Please explain.

kartickdey · Answer

There is a stetement in the passage "  Even with current protections from human interference, the desert tortoise faces a tough recovery, so additional measures must be taken  ". The tone of the author appeared to me as of evaluation, although I think this line is misleading in deriving the primary purpose of the passage because this kind of evaluatory statements have been written only one time throughout the entire passage.

Despite its 1989 designation as a threatened species under the federal

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

Despite its 1989 designation as a threatened species under the federal

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards