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555-605 Level|   Science|   Short Passage|                        
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pratiknayan10
Can anyone please explain why option c in question 3 is wrong.
In the opening line it is mentioned that no single definition of the term exists. Is "Arbitary process" a too far interpretation of the same.
Kindly help
I believe you're referring to choice (B):

Quote:
B. Because no standard definition exists for what constitutes a species, the classification of animal populations is inevitably an arbitrary process.
And yes, you're on the right track. The second half of this statement does not reflect what the author has written.

If the classification of animal populations were inevitably an arbitrary process, then no matter what scientists may try, we wouldn't expect them to ever classify animal populations in a consistent way. Yet, in the second paragraph, the author suggests that phenotype comparison might reasonably be used to group animals into distinct species.

These two statements don't match, so we eliminate (B). On the other hand, choice (A) is almost a perfect rephrasing of what the author has written.

I hope this helps!
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For Q3) Could someone explain how A is correct? In the passage the author clearly writes: "When the biological species concept is difficult to apply, some investigators use phenotype".

Difficult to apply does not mean inconclusive, so how does A make sense?

I chose D because the author writes "yet this idea can be too restrictive. First, mating between groups labeled as different species (hybridization), as often occurs in the canine family, is quite common in nature"

I understand that in D the answer says hybridization is THE way of undermining the biological species concept, but this phrasing seems to be more valid than A. Could someone explain where my thinking went wrong?

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For Q3) Could someone explain how A is correct? In the passage the author clearly writes: "When the biological species concept is difficult to apply, some investigators use phenotype".

Difficult to apply does not mean inconclusive, so how does A make sense?

I chose D because the author writes "yet this idea can be too restrictive. First, mating between groups labeled as different species (hybridization), as often occurs in the canine family, is quite common in nature"

I understand that in D the answer says hybridization is THE way of undermining the biological species concept, but this phrasing seems to be more valid than A. Could someone explain where my thinking went wrong?

GMATNinja
kchen1994, please see this post for an analysis on "difficult to apply" vs. "inconclusive" for answer choice (A).

As for answer choice (D), you are on the right track. Here is the exact wording of that answer choice:

Quote:
(D) The existence of hybrids in wild animal species is the chief factor casting doubt on the usefulness of research into reproductive compatibility as a way of classifying species.
The author mentions three separate issues with using reproductive compatibility as the basis for defining species. The author never says that one or another of those factors is more important than the others, so there is an issue with the word "chief" in the answer choice. You can eliminate answer (D) for that reason.

I hope this helps!
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Hi,

Could anybody help me out with (Book Question: 55)
The author of the passage mentions “groups that live in different places” (in line 21) most probably in order to

A. point out a theoretical inconsistency in the biological species concept
B. offer evidence in support of the biological species concept
C. identify an obstacle to the application of the biological species concept
D. note an instance in which phenotype classification is customarily used
E. describe an alternative to the biological species concept

Although I chose the correct answer, I'm still in doubt about A. Do the words in line 20 '...that investigators cannot always determine whether...' show why this answer choice is incorrect, i.e. the underlined words actually point to an inconsistency in practice, and not in theory?

Thank you
I choose wrong "A" over right answer "C". That's how I convince myself for right answer later on:

Between A and C, there is a difference of "Theoretical inconsistency" vs "Application" regarding "biological species concept".

Biological species concept is described in passage earlier; " blah..blah..".

Now, Three issues with this concept have been presented, and 3rd one is addressed in question,"groups that live in different places". In order to answer, we need to ask if a theory is given, can it be applied at given situation marked in yellow. The answer is "No", that why passage mentions it as one of the problem with biological species concept. It's because of some situation where concept is not applied, that comes under category of "application of concept can't be applied", not concept itself is at fault or inconsistent.
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Quote:
(Book Question: 55)
The author of the passage mentions “groups that live in different places” (in line 21) most probably in order to

(A) point out a theoretical inconsistency in the biological species concept
(B) offer evidence in support of the biological species concept
(C) identify an obstacle to the application of the biological species concept
(D) note an instance in which phenotype classification is customarily used
(E) describe an alternative to the biological species concept

u1983, GMATNinja, SajjadAhmad, workout, GMATNinjaTwo, Gnpth

Dear experts, can you please explain why A is chosen over C?
My understanding is that theoretically, this concept is okay but while applying in the real world faced three problems.

egards,
Arup
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Hi Experts,
In Q1. The passage is primarily concerned with

A. describing the development of the biological species concept
B. responding to a critique of reproductive compatibility as a criterion for defining a species
C. considering two different approaches to identifying biological species
D. pointing out the advantage of one method of distinguishing related species
E. identifying an obstacle to the classification of biological species

I am confused between B and C. While reading the passage,the focus was on drawbacks of biological species concept (based on reproductive compatibility) and towards the end an alternative was described.So I chose B.
Can anyone explain why this is incorrect ?
As for choice (B), the author does present several possible critiques of reproductive compatibility as a criterion for defining a species, but the passage is not concerned with responding to those possible critiques.

Rather, the author presents those drawbacks to illustrate situations in which the biological species concept is difficult to apply. The author then presents an alternative (phenotype) that can be used in such situations. The author does not say that the biological species concept should be abandoned in favor of phenotype. Instead, the author simply notes that some investigators use the latter when the biological species concept is difficult to apply.

The author considers both approaches but is not primarily concerned with defending or rejecting either. Thus, choice (C) is more appropriate.

I hope that helps!
I rejected the option C and picked B for the word "Biological" assuming that it is not supported by the passage and first line of the passage says about the species and not just the biological species,

While reviewing I could eliminate B more than C!

Any tips on how to avoid such mistakes - not over-using one word off or too extreme concept


Experts may please respond!

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MAnkur
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Sakshamachiever
Hi Experts,
In Q1. The passage is primarily concerned with

A. describing the development of the biological species concept
B. responding to a critique of reproductive compatibility as a criterion for defining a species
C. considering two different approaches to identifying biological species
D. pointing out the advantage of one method of distinguishing related species
E. identifying an obstacle to the classification of biological species

I am confused between B and C. While reading the passage,the focus was on drawbacks of biological species concept (based on reproductive compatibility) and towards the end an alternative was described.So I chose B.
Can anyone explain why this is incorrect ?
As for choice (B), the author does present several possible critiques of reproductive compatibility as a criterion for defining a species, but the passage is not concerned with responding to those possible critiques.

Rather, the author presents those drawbacks to illustrate situations in which the biological species concept is difficult to apply. The author then presents an alternative (phenotype) that can be used in such situations. The author does not say that the biological species concept should be abandoned in favor of phenotype. Instead, the author simply notes that some investigators use the latter when the biological species concept is difficult to apply.

The author considers both approaches but is not primarily concerned with defending or rejecting either. Thus, choice (C) is more appropriate.

I hope that helps!
I rejected the option C and picked B for the word "Biological" assuming that it is not supported by the passage and first line of the passage says about the species and not just the biological species,

While reviewing I could eliminate B more than C!

Any tips on how to avoid such mistakes - not over-using one word off or too extreme concept


Experts may please respond!

I think you answered your own question! The key is to use process of elimination every time and to avoid prematurely eliminating options. If you know why it is wrong, eliminate it. But if you aren't quite sure what a choice means, leave it. If you are uncomfortable with a single word but not sure whether it's a deal-breaker, leave it.

For a broader discussion of RC technique, check out our RC guide for beginners.

I hope this helps!
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GMATNinja
Sakshamachiever
Hi Experts,
In Q1. The passage is primarily concerned with

A. describing the development of the biological species concept
B. responding to a critique of reproductive compatibility as a criterion for defining a species
C. considering two different approaches to identifying biological species
D. pointing out the advantage of one method of distinguishing related species
E. identifying an obstacle to the classification of biological species

I am confused between B and C. While reading the passage,the focus was on drawbacks of biological species concept (based on reproductive compatibility) and towards the end an alternative was described.So I chose B.
Can anyone explain why this is incorrect ?
As for choice (B), the author does present several possible critiques of reproductive compatibility as a criterion for defining a species, but the passage is not concerned with responding to those possible critiques.

Rather, the author presents those drawbacks to illustrate situations in which the biological species concept is difficult to apply. The author then presents an alternative (phenotype) that can be used in such situations. The author does not say that the biological species concept should be abandoned in favor of phenotype. Instead, the author simply notes that some investigators use the latter when the biological species concept is difficult to apply.

The author considers both approaches but is not primarily concerned with defending or rejecting either. Thus, choice (C) is more appropriate.

I hope that helps!


Hi GMATNinja The passage talks about two approaches to identify different species of animals: the biological species and the phenotype method. However, answer option C states that the passage is concerned with two distinct methods for identifying 'biological species' rather than say,'related species' or 'species of animals'. This confused me into selecting an incorrect answer option. Ordinarily, I wouldn't have overthought the use of the word biological but because we're in GMAT land, I assumed that this was a trap. Can you help me understand why answer option C is not incorrect for this reason?
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In Qs 56, why is B not the answer?
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mansinegii
In Qs 56, why is B not the answer?

Hi Mansi,

Take a look at option B "Because no standard definition exists for what constitutes a species, the classification of animal populations is inevitably an arbitrary process".

The problem here is this line "the classification of animal populations is inevitably an arbitrary process".

Nowhere it is mentioned in the passage that classification is arbitrary process, author trying to classify animal populations through mentioned two definitions(phenotype and biological species concept).

Although there is no standard definition but that doesn't mean classification is done arbitrarily.

Hope it helps. :)
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The passage is primarily concerned with

(A) describing the development of the biological species concept
(B) responding to a critique of reproductive compatibility as a criterion for defining a species
(C) considering two different approaches to identifying biological species
(D) pointing out the advantage of one method of distinguishing related species
(E) identifying an obstacle to the classification of biological species


Hi GMATNinja GMATNinjaTwo

As per my understanding, option E in the above question is wrong because the author has not written the passage to simply "identify" the fact that no single accepted definition of the term "distinct species" exists.

Could you please confirm whether my reasoning is correct?

Thanks :)
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Hello! The question that says " the passage is primarily concerned with ...."

I find it difficult to determine whether it's C or E...
The first sentence states one obstacle and then the author introduces 2 approaches that are a sort of example to the difficulty stated on the first sentence.
Some expert pls help
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Hi,

Can someone explain why option D " The existence of hybrids in wild animal species is the chief factor casting doubt on the usefulness of research into reproductive compatibility as a way of classifying species." is wrong for question 3.
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SanjaySrini
Hi,

Can someone explain why option D " The existence of hybrids in wild animal species is the chief factor casting doubt on the usefulness of research into reproductive compatibility as a way of classifying species." is wrong for question 3.

Hi Sanjay,

The problem with option D is the word "chief".

The author mentions three separate issues with using reproductive compatibility as the basis for defining species. The author never says that one or another of those factors is more important than the others, so there is an issue with the word "chief" in the answer choice.

Thus D can be eliminated.

Hope it helps :)
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The passage is primarily concerned with

(A) describing the development of the biological species concept
(B) responding to a critique of reproductive compatibility as a criterion for defining a species
(C) considering two different approaches to identifying biological species
(D) pointing out the advantage of one method of distinguishing related species
(E) identifying an obstacle to the classification of biological species


Hi GMATNinja GMATNinjaTwo

As per my understanding, option E in the above question is wrong because the author has not written the passage to simply "identify" the fact that no single accepted definition of the term "distinct species" exists.

Could you please confirm whether my reasoning is correct?

Thanks :)

Hey! Firstly, congrats on your excellent score!

As for your question, yes! The author identifies an obstacle to the classification of biological species, yet it is just a few sentences in the whole passage. Such a narrow point would never be an answer in GMAT.

Quote:
(C) considering two different approaches to identifying biological species

Choice C broadly covers both paragraphs and is the correct answer.

patto this reply well answers your question as well. I hope you find it useful.

Kudos if you liked this post, guys!
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Minakshi20
Why answer choice C is not the right answer. Can anyone explain why B over C?
Which of the following best describes the function of lines 10-13?
A. It elaborates the definition of the biological species concept given in a previous sentence.
B. It develops a point about the biological species concept made in the previous sentence.
C. It states the author's central point about the biological species concept.
D. It identifies a central assumption underlying the biological species concept.
E. It demonstrates why the biological species concept is invalid.

Hi, I chose the right answer, so I hope that my experience may help.

This is a purpose question. It asks the function of particular lines 10-13:

"First, mating between groups labeled as different species (hybridization), as often occurs in the canine family, is quite common in nature."

---> The above sentence introduces the first among some disadvantages of biological species concept.
Now we assess 5 options

A. It elaborates the definition of the biological species concept given in a previous sentence.
No. Definition of this concept is already mentioned before, in lines 4-5 of the passage. OUT

B. It develops a point about the biological species concept made in the previous sentence.
Hm. Let's see what the previous sentence says - "Yet this idea can be too restrictive". We can see clearly that this sentence is an introduction about limitations of the biological species concept, and the sentence in line 10-13 elaborates on the first negative point of its limitation. CORRECT

C. It states the author's central point about the biological species concept.
If the question asked about function of this sentence "Yet this idea can be too restrictive", then answer might be yes. But in fact, the following sentence, which introduces the first disadvantage of the concept, is the one we have to look at. OUT.

D. It identifies a central assumption underlying the biological species concept.
No, it's not. It just simply provides details of the first flaw of the concept. OUT.

E. It demonstrates why the biological species concept is invalid.
To me, this option could be considered a runner-up. The reason why this option is incorrect might be its inappropriate word choice "invalid". When a method is invalid, it might be regarded as no value and we should not use it at all, but this is not necessarily true in the case of biological species concept. According to author, "this idea can be too restrictive". Therefore, we may understand that in general, the concept has some values, but IN SOME CASES, it seems not to be effective as expected.

That's my reasoning. Hope it will help. Just respond if you have any further concern.


Thank you for the explanation.
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GMATNinja
Sakshamachiever
Hi Experts,
In Q1. The passage is primarily concerned with

A. describing the development of the biological species concept
B. responding to a critique of reproductive compatibility as a criterion for defining a species
C. considering two different approaches to identifying biological species
D. pointing out the advantage of one method of distinguishing related species
E. identifying an obstacle to the classification of biological species

I am confused between B and C. While reading the passage,the focus was on drawbacks of biological species concept (based on reproductive compatibility) and towards the end an alternative was described.So I chose B.
Can anyone explain why this is incorrect ?
As for choice (B), the author does present several possible critiques of reproductive compatibility as a criterion for defining a species, but the passage is not concerned with responding to those possible critiques.

Rather, the author presents those drawbacks to illustrate situations in which the biological species concept is difficult to apply. The author then presents an alternative (phenotype) that can be used in such situations. The author does not say that the biological species concept should be abandoned in favor of phenotype. Instead, the author simply notes that some investigators use the latter when the biological species concept is difficult to apply.

The author considers both approaches but is not primarily concerned with defending or rejecting either. Thus, choice (C) is more appropriate.

I hope that helps!

Hi GMAT Ninja
I rejected option C as it says about two different approaches to identify Biological Species. The passage talks about 2 different approaches to help classify distinct species; Biological Species concept and Phenotype

In my understanding, as per 2nd paragraph, the author describes 'Phenotype' to classify distinct species and not Biological species.
Where is the gap in my understanding? Pls help
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