I10-26

Question

Recently, the number of scientific research projects, and their attendant publications, related to philately, has been growing steadily.  Most of this research has focused on the various applications of spectroscopy to analyze color, inks, cancels, and paper characteristics.  While the majority of researchers are professors or trained scientists, and the quality of the research is high, many articles have been written by scientists for other scientists. However, the adoption of technology into philately presents a unique challenge: effectively communicating highly technical information to laypersons so they can understand the basic concepts, significance, and potential applications of the scientific findings.
 
Select  Passage  for the statement that best describes the purpose of the passage as a whole, and select  Portion in Boldface  for the statement that best describes the purpose of the portion in boldface. Make only two selections, one in each column.

Bunuel · Answer

Official Solution:

• Highlighting the shift in focus towards non-expert authorship in philatelic research
 
The passage does not discuss non-expert authorship in any way. It focuses on scientific research and the challenges of communicating findings to laypersons, but there’s no mention of a shift towards non-expert authorship.
 
• Arguing that scientists should prioritize communication to the ordinary public while doing research
 
While the passage discusses the challenge of communicating scientific findings, it does not argue that scientists should  prioritize  communication over conducting research.
 
• Describing the role of spectroscopy in philatelic research.
 
 Correct for Boldface.  The boldface specifically discusses how spectroscopy is applied in philatelic research, making this the most accurate description of its purpose.
 
• Advocating for more widespread use of technology in philately
 
The passage acknowledges the use of technology like spectroscopy but does not advocate for its increased adoption.
 
• Discussing how advancements in research methods create new challenges
 
 Correct for Passage.  The passage as a whole focuses on the growing use of technology in philately and the resulting challenge of communicating technical information to laypersons, making this the best description of its purpose.

Correct answer:

Passage  "Discussing how advancements in research methods create new challenges"

Portion in boldface  "Describing the role of spectroscopy in philatelic research"

Bunuel · Answer

I have revised the question, solution, and formatting by adding more details to enhance clarity.

Sheatran · Answer

Thank you for helping me better understand the history and art of stamps.

GG27 · Answer

"Discussing how advancements in research methods create new challenges". I eliminated this because, in my opinion, advancements in research methods were not discussed in the passage. I had marked option B for "Passage".  Bunuel  could you please help me understand where I am going wrong?

Bunuel · Answer

“Research methods” here refers to the use of scientific techniques such as spectroscopy in philatelic research. The passage says that this technical research has grown and has created a new challenge: explaining the findings clearly to laypersons.

Option B is too strong because the passage does not say scientists should  prioritize  communication while doing research. It only identifies communication as the challenge created by the growth of technical research.

I10-26

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

Passage	Portion in boldface
		Highlighting the shift in focus towards non-expert authorship in philatelic research
		Arguing that scientists should prioritize communication to the ordinary public while doing research
		Describing the role of spectroscopy in philatelic research
		Advocating for more widespread use of technology in philately
		Discussing how advancements in research methods create new challenges