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555-605 Level|   Science|   Short Passage|                        
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Saasingh
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Determining whether a given population of animals constitutes a 02 Jan 2021, 05:25
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All correct :D

Total time : 05:13

Good read !!
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Determining whether a given population of animals constitutes a 05 Jan 2021, 09:57
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parthgohel
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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!

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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Have you had a chance to look at our earlier post on a similar question here? Check that out, and let us know if you have any other questions!
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Determining whether a given population of animals constitutes a 10 Jan 2021, 03:01
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In q3, i was confused between A and D. Although I had a doubt on "chief factor"in D, I rejected A bcz of word" inconclusive".
I am convinced now that A is the correct answer.
How to avoid this mistake in future?
Should I focus on moderate words like "May" (Phenotype comparison may help) to choose answers.
(A) Phenotype comparison may help to classify species when application of the biological species concept proves inconclusive.
(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.
Some expert pls help

3/4 correct.
Total time = 12 min (4 min read + 8 min answers). I have been practicing RC for 3 months. I have improved accuracy (60-80%) but timing is a still concern. Please suggest some tips.
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Determining whether a given population of animals constitutes a 10 Jan 2021, 07:24
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Sneha2021
In q3, i was confused between A and D. Although I had a doubt on "chief factor"in D, I rejected A bcz of word" inconclusive".
I am convinced now that A is the correct answer.
How to avoid this mistake in future?
Should I focus on moderate words like "May" (Phenotype comparison may help) to choose answers.
(A) Phenotype comparison may help to classify species when application of the biological species concept proves inconclusive.
(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.
Some expert pls help

3/4 correct.
Total time = 12 min (4 min read + 8 min answers). I have been practicing RC for 3 months. I have improved accuracy (60-80%) but timing is a still concern. Please suggest some tips.
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Hi Sneha2021,

Please refer the below posts by experts for Question 3, they address the exact doubt you have.

https://gmatclub.com/forum/determining-whether-a-given-population-of-animals-constitutes-a-242694.html#p1911310
https://gmatclub.com/forum/determining-whether-a-given-population-of-animals-constitutes-a-242694-20.html#p2205416


Let us know if you still have issues.

Thanks.
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Determining whether a given population of animals constitutes a 13 Jul 2021, 05:39
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Hi,can anyone explain why ans choice E in primary purpose question is wrong?

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Determining whether a given population of animals constitutes a 18 Jul 2021, 08:29
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For question 1, anyone who have actually read the passage must deny that the primary purpose is:

"considering two different approaches to identifying biological species"

This clearly is not the primary purpose. The primary purpose is to identify and outline potential drawbacks of a popular theory, with an end note about an approach that can be applied in cases where the theory might fall short.

Choice C inadequately lends equal weight to both approaches. GMAC is on thin ice here.

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Determining whether a given population of animals constitutes a 07 Aug 2021, 08:51
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Question 1


Varunpal
Hi,can anyone explain why ans choice E in primary purpose question is wrong?

Posted from my mobile device
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The first question asks what the passage is primarily concerned with. Here’s (E):

Quote:
(E) identifying an obstacle to the classification of biological species
Show more
The problem with (E) is that the passage is not primarily concerned with identifying AN obstacle to the classification of biological species. In fact, it identifies several obstacles: hybridization, groups that live in different places, etc.

Also, while the first sentence of the passage notes that an obstacle to classifying species is that no single accepted definition of a species exists, the entire passage is not dedicated to identifying this obstacle. After the obstacle has been identified in the first sentence, the duration of the passage proceeds to discuss two different approaches to classifying a species.

For those reasons, we can eliminate (E).

I hope that helps!
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Determining whether a given population of animals constitutes a 31 Aug 2021, 07:34
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Hi,
Thanks for your response and it helped me to understand why B) is incorrect.
I agree that the author does not respond to a critique.Just to confirm if it was a response to a critique ,the author would have stated his opinion regarding criticism of this theory,correct ?


Also,for understanding sake,can you confirm the following ?

You mentioned that
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.


Below are my comments:

But doesn't the author's way of transitioning from the drawbacks of one theory (say theory 1) to a theory (say theory 2) which can resolve the issue in theory 1 without specifying any drawbacks of theory 2 suggest a preference for theory 2 ?

Also,the author's main aim is to Determinine whether a given population of animals
constitutes a distinct species .
At the end he says using theory 2 that
If the distribution of measurements from one group does not overlap with those of another, the two groups might reasonably be considered distinct species.

Doesn't this clearly show that theory 2 is the winner here ?

Thanks,
Saksham.
Even if the author had a preference for "theory 2", choice (B) would not be appropriate. The author PRESENTS criticisms of the biological species concept. RESPONDING to criticisms would involve citing criticisms (made by others) and DEFENDING the biological species concept against those criticisms. For example:

    Responding to criticisms that she was weak on crime, the mayor pointed out that crime rates have decreased by 5% every year since she took office.

Furthermore, the author only suggests that theory 2 is "the winner" in certain situations. This does not necessarily imply that the author favors one over the other. For example, Medicine X might be great for lowering cholesterol MOST of the time. However, under certain circumstances, it might be better to prescribe Medicine Y. That doesn't make Y better than X, it just means that Y is better in SOME cases.

Similarly, the author states that theory 2 can be used "when the biological species concept is difficult to apply." This does not suggest that theory 2 is better. It simply suggests that there is an alternative that can be used in situations when the biological species concept is not appropriate (i.e. when the drawbacks described would make it inaccurate).

Regardless, the author is not "responding to a critique" of the biological species concept, so choice (B) should be eliminated.
Show more

Hi GMATNinja,

Just a quick clarification here. The author in the 2nd para just states that when something is difficult, investigators do X. We have not idea if the author agrees with it or disagrees with it. He is just presenting general accepted information which might not necessarily be the authors accepted view.

I am having a tough time understanding how can i infer that the author agrees with this generally accepted view? Would really appreciate how to comprehend such languages in GMAT RC passages because we see this often. Thanks a lot.

Query pertains to this question - " With which of the following statements regarding the classification of individual species would the author most likely agree?"
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Determining whether a given population of animals constitutes a 12 Sep 2021, 09:16
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Question 3


rinkuda


Hi GMATNinja,

Just a quick clarification here. The author in the 2nd para just states that when something is difficult, investigators do X. We have not idea if the author agrees with it or disagrees with it. He is just presenting general accepted information which might not necessarily be the authors accepted view.

I am having a tough time understanding how can i infer that the author agrees with this generally accepted view? Would really appreciate how to comprehend such languages in GMAT RC passages because we see this often. Thanks a lot.

Query pertains to this question - " With which of the following statements regarding the classification of individual species would the author most likely agree?"
Show more
Question 3 asks us which answer choice the author would "most likely" agree with. So, we don't need something that the author EXPLICITLY agrees with in the passage. Instead, we can look for hints that suggest the author would agree with one of the answer choices.

In the first paragraph, the author lists problems with the biological species concept. In the second paragraph, the author tells us how "some investigators" overcome these problems using the phenotype instead.

When explaining how the phenotype concept fixes the issues with the biological species concept, the author says that "two groups that have evolved separately are likely to display measurable differences," and that "if the distribution of measurements from one group does not overlap with those of another, the two groups might reasonably be considered distinct species."

By using the words "likely" and "reasonably" in describing the phenotype method, the author seems to think that it DOES, in fact, address some of the issues with the other definition. So, we can say that the author would likely agree that "phenotype comparison may help to classify species when application of the biological species concept proves inconclusive."

(A) is the correct answer to question 3.

I hope that helps!
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Determining whether a given population of animals constitutes a 22 Feb 2022, 01:59
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KarishmaB
Why Q2, D is incorrect?
The author of the passage mentions “groups that live in different places” (in line 21) most probably in order to -

(D) note an instance in which phenotype classification is customarily used
Acc. to passage, phenotype can be used when biological concept is difficult to apply. So if we consider this line "Two groups that have evolved separately are likely to display measurable differences in many of their traits" - we can say that when groups live in diff places, we can use phenotype for classification.
The author has mentioned a condition to apply phenotype in line 21.

Thanks!
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Determining whether a given population of animals constitutes a 22 Feb 2022, 19:55
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Sneha2021
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KarishmaB
Why Q2, D is incorrect?
The author of the passage mentions “groups that live in different places” (in line 21) most probably in order to -

(D) note an instance in which phenotype classification is customarily used
Acc. to passage, phenotype can be used when biological concept is difficult to apply. So if we consider this line "Two groups that have evolved separately are likely to display measurable differences in many of their traits" - we can say that when groups live in diff places, we can use phenotype for classification.
The author has mentioned a condition to apply phenotype in line 21.

Thanks!
Show more


2. 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


The question is why does the author mention “groups that live in different places”. When he says this, what is HE trying to convey? What point did HE want to make by mentioning it?

A third problem with the biological species concept is that investigators cannot always determine whether two groups that live in different places are capable of interbreeding.


Here he talks about another problem with the biological species concept. Investigators cannot find whether two groups living in different places are capable of interbreeding. Since they are living in different places, they would not have met and hence investigators would not be able to see whether they can interbreed. This "living in diff places" in an obstacle to applying the concept.

As for (D), phenotype is not even mentioned till now. The author does not mention "groups that live in different places” to note an instance in which it is used.

Answer (C)
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Determining whether a given population of animals constitutes a 18 Dec 2022, 02:44
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KarishmaB

(A) Phenotype comparison may help to classify species when application of the biological species concept proves inconclusive.
I read the explanation but still not convinced how "inconclusive" is correct.
In 2nd para, it is clearly mentioned that when 1st approach is difficult to apply, we can used Phenotype. So how can we consider "difficult to apply" same as "inconclusive"
If we are not able to apply any concept, how can we comment on the result of the application

It would be really helpful if you can help to understand the reasoning behind A.
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Sneha2021
KarishmaB

(A) Phenotype comparison may help to classify species when application of the biological species concept proves inconclusive.
I read the explanation but still not convinced how "inconclusive" is correct.
In 2nd para, it is clearly mentioned that when 1st approach is difficult to apply, we can used Phenotype. So how can we consider "difficult to apply" same as "inconclusive"
If we are not able to apply any concept, how can we comment on the result of the application

It would be really helpful if you can help to understand the reasoning behind A.
Show more

The passage tells us:
When the biological species concept is difficult to apply, some investigators use phenotype, an organism’s observable characteristics, instead.

What does it mean by 'when the biological species concept is difficult to apply'? It means that when we apply the biological species concept on two groups but are unable to find whether they belong to the same species or not i.e. the concept doesn't apply properly and hence doesn't give us a valid clear answer. Perhaps the definition is not applicable under the circumstances or not verifiable or any other reason why it may be difficult to apply in that case. The point is that if the concept is not successful in giving an answer, then phenotype can be used.
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Determining whether a given population of animals constitutes a 08 Jul 2023, 16:28
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GMATNinja

Question 1


Varunpal
Hi,can anyone explain why ans choice E in primary purpose question is wrong?

Posted from my mobile device
The first question asks what the passage is primarily concerned with. Here’s (E):

Quote:
(E) identifying an obstacle to the classification of biological species
The problem with (E) is that the passage is not primarily concerned with identifying AN obstacle to the classification of biological species. In fact, it identifies several obstacles: hybridization, groups that live in different places, etc.

Also, while the first sentence of the passage notes that an obstacle to classifying species is that no single accepted definition of a species exists, the entire passage is not dedicated to identifying this obstacle. After the obstacle has been identified in the first sentence, the duration of the passage proceeds to discuss two different approaches to classifying a species.

For those reasons, we can eliminate (E).

I hope that helps!
Show more

GMATNinja - I went by method of elimination and selected C as the best answer. But I "do not" understand why it is correct. The passage is not considering two different approaches to identifying biological species. Instead, the two approaches to classify animals are - biological species and phenotype. Can you please explain why C is correct? Thank you!

Lines 4-5: "One approach, called the biological species
(5) concept, bases the definition on reproductive..."

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Determining whether a given population of animals constitutes a 23 Jul 2023, 13:01
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GMATNinja - I went by method of elimination and selected C as the best answer. But I "do not" understand why it is correct. The passage is not considering two different approaches to identifying biological species. Instead, the two approaches to classify animals are - biological species and phenotype. Can you please explain why C is correct? Thank you!

Lines 4-5: "One approach, called the biological species
(5) concept, bases the definition on reproductive..."

GMATNinjaTwo
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Did you see this post? Check it out and let us know if you have further questions!
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Determining whether a given population of animals constitutes a 18 Sep 2023, 22:44
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QUESTION 4

as per the question in VR book, lines 10-13 are

group. 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. Second, sometimes

Leaving out the end of ongoing sentence (" ...group) and the start of the new sentence in line 13.. the lines in focus are "Yet...common in nature" right?

i approached considering from YET to NATURE and following the process of elimination, i found the answer to be E. B was my runner up choice but previous sentence wrt to my interpretation was actually the definition of the biological species concept.

How do we deal with such minute discrepancies on gmat questions when they mention line numbers? pls help with this confusion.

AbdurRakib GMATNinja KarishmaB
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QUESTION 4

as per the question in VR book, lines 10-13 are

group. 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. Second, sometimes

Leaving out the end of ongoing sentence (" ...group) and the start of the new sentence in line 13.. the lines in focus are "Yet...common in nature" right?

i approached considering from YET to NATURE and following the process of elimination, i found the answer to be E. B was my runner up choice but previous sentence wrt to my interpretation was actually the definition of the biological species concept.

How do we deal with such minute discrepancies on gmat questions when they mention line numbers? pls help with this confusion.

AbdurRakib GMATNinja KarishmaB
Show more

The author says that the idea is restrictive, not invalid. Invalid is too strong a word for his stand and until and unless he says "this concept is baseless/bogus/untrue/false/not valid," I wouldn't accept 'invalid.'
Though yes, I do hope that they clarify it a bit better in the actual test (the book has no highlighted text etc).
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hmm, thats too close. but yeah, this explanation gives B a clear win over E. Thanks Karishma.

KarishmaB
vedha0
QUESTION 4

as per the question in VR book, lines 10-13 are

group. 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. Second, sometimes

Leaving out the end of ongoing sentence (" ...group) and the start of the new sentence in line 13.. the lines in focus are "Yet...common in nature" right?

i approached considering from YET to NATURE and following the process of elimination, i found the answer to be E. B was my runner up choice but previous sentence wrt to my interpretation was actually the definition of the biological species concept.

How do we deal with such minute discrepancies on gmat questions when they mention line numbers? pls help with this confusion.

AbdurRakib GMATNinja KarishmaB

The author says that the idea is restrictive, not invalid. Invalid is too strong a word for his stand and until and unless he says "this concept is baseless/bogus/untrue/false/not valid," I wouldn't accept 'invalid.'
Though yes, I do hope that they clarify it a bit better in the actual test (the book has no highlighted text etc).
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Determining whether a given population of animals constitutes a 10 Jun 2025, 23:43
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I was very confused on the 4th question, but I prefer to go with facts.

Which of the following best describes the function of lines 10-13 [First, mating between groups labeled as different species (hybridization), as often occurs in the canine family, is quite common in nature.]?

It demonstrates why the biological species concept is invalid Vs It develops a point about the biological species concept made in the previous sentence.

What made me choose the right answer:
  • Invalid as a term is a negative one. The author is not saying the biological species concept is invalid
  • Secondly, the entire sentence of hybridization is all about expanding the point on wy the biological concept idea can be too restrictive (Which is actually the concept introduced in the previous sentance)
AbdurRakib
The Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review 2018 New RC
Determining whether a given population of animals constitutes a distinct species can be difficult because no single accepted definition of the term exists. One approach, called the biological species concept, bases the definition on reproductive compatibility. According to this view, a species is a group of animals that can mate with one another to produce fertile offspring but cannot mate successfully with members of a different group. 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. Second, sometimes the differences between two populations might not prevent them from interbreeding, even though they are dissimilar in traits unrelated to reproduction; some biologists question whether such disparate groups should be considered a single species. A third problem with the biological species concept is that investigators cannot always determine whether two groups that live in different places are capable of interbreeding.

When the biological species concept is difficult to apply, some investigators use phenotype, an organism’s observable characteristics, instead. Two groups that have evolved separately are likely to display measurable differences in many of their traits, such as skull size or width of teeth. If the distribution of measurements from one group does not overlap with those of another, the two groups might reasonably be considered distinct species.

(Book Question: 54)
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

(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

(Book Question: 56)
With which of the following statements regarding the classification of individual species would the author most likely agree?

(A) Phenotype comparison may help to classify species when application of the biological species concept proves inconclusive.
(B) Because no standard definition exists for what constitutes a species, the classification of animal populations is inevitably an arbitrary process.
(C) The criteria used by biologists to classify species have not been based on adequate research.
(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.
(E) Phenotype overlap should be used as the basic criterion for standardizing species classification.

(Book Question: 57)
Which of the following best describes the function of lines 10-13 [First, mating between groups labeled as different species (hybridization), as often occurs in the canine family, is quite common in nature.]?

(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.


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JOURNAL ARTICLE
The Problematic Red Wolf
Robert K. Wayne and John L. Gittleman
Scientific American
Vol. 273, No. 1 (JULY 1995), pp. 36-39
Published by: Scientific American, a division of Nature America, Inc.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/24981449
Page Count: 6

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