Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized for You
we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Track Your Progress
every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance
Practice Pays
we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Thank you for using the timer!
We noticed you are actually not timing your practice. Click the START button first next time you use the timer.
There are many benefits to timing your practice, including:
Join us for an exclusive live interview with Piyush, who achieved an impressive GMAT FE 735, securing the coveted 100th percentile! Gain invaluable insights and actionable tips to elevate your own GMAT performance. Don’t miss out!
Earning a 100th percentile score on the GMAT Focus is no easy feat. But with Target Test Prep, any score is possible. Take Ming, a TTP student who recently scored 755 (Q86/V88/DI86) on the GMAT Focus Edition.
Achieving a high GMAT score while balancing a hectic work life is challenging, but with the right strategy, it's absolutely possible. Discover the ultimate GMAT study strategy designed exclusively for working professionals.
Do RC/MSR passages scare you? e-GMAT is conducting a masterclass to help you learn – Learn effective reading strategies Tackle difficult RC & MSR with confidence Excel in timed test environment
A recent study has provided clues to predator-prey d
[#permalink]
19 Jul 2013, 20:06
2
Kudos
A recent study has provided clues to predator-prey dynamics in the late Pleistocene era. Researchers compared the number of tooth fractures in present-day carnivores with tooth fractures in carnivores that lived 36,000 to 10,000 years ago and that were preserved in the Rancho La Brea tar pits in Los Angeles. The breakage frequencies in the extinct species were strikingly higher than those in the present-day species. In considering possible explanations for this finding, the researchers dismissed demographic bias because older individuals were not overrepresented in the fossil samples. They rejected preservational bias because a total absence of breakage in two extinct species demonstrated that the fractures were not the result of abrasion within the pits. They ruled out local bias because breakage data obtained from other Pleistocene sites were similar to the La Brea data. The explanation they consider most plausible is behavioral differences between extinct and present-day carnivores-in particular, more contact between the teeth of predators and the bones of prey due to more thorough consumption of carcasses by the extinct species. Such thorough carcass consumption implies to the researchers either that prey availability was low, at least seasonally, or that there was intense competition over kills and a high rate of carcass theft due to relatively high predator densities.
231. The primary purpose of the passage is to (A) present several explanations for a well-known fact (B) suggest alternative method of resolving a debate (C) argue in favor of a controversial theory (D) question the methodology used in a study (E) discuss the implications of a research finding
I chose the answer (A) considering the several possible explanations studied by the researcher, however there was only one plausible explanation. OA is (E). Can someone explain why the OA is (E)?
Archived Topic
Hi there,
This topic has been closed and archived due to inactivity or violation of community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.
Still interested in this question? Check out the "Best Topics" block below for a better discussion on this exact question, as well as several more related questions.
Re: A recent study has provided clues to predator-prey d
[#permalink]
19 Jul 2013, 20:34
1
Kudos
For primary purpose of the passage questions one should pay special attention not only to the 1st paragraph and beginning of subsequent paragraphs but specially focus on how the paragraph ended.
If you notice the topic starts of with a study and presents various alternative explanations for the study findings but the end the 2nd paragraph takes the explanations further to provide come of inference type conclusions.
Quote:
Such thorough carcass consumption implies to the researchers either that prey availability was low, at least seasonally, or that there was intense competition over kills and a high rate of carcass theft due to relatively high predator densities.
The above statements shows the implications of the findings. Hence the answer is E.
Re: A recent study has provided clues to predator-prey d
[#permalink]
19 Jul 2013, 20:41
Well, Thanks for the reply!! but I read somewhere that primary purpose questions deals with "why the author wrote the passage" and in my opinion the author wrote the passage to indicate the plausible explanation for difference in the frequency of tooth fractures. Now, since we don't have an option stating that the primary purpose is to indicate the plausible explanation so I inferred that the author wrote several explanations and went on to plausible explanation.
Re: A recent study has provided clues to predator-prey d
[#permalink]
19 Jul 2013, 21:14
akshaygaur wrote:
Well, Thanks for the reply!! but I read somewhere that primary purpose questions deals with "why the author wrote the passage" and in my opinion the author wrote the passage to indicate the plausible explanation for difference in the frequency of tooth fractures. Now, since we don't have an option stating that the primary purpose is to indicate the plausible explanation so I inferred that the author wrote several explanations and went on to plausible explanation.
What you say is correct but to find the purpose we have to be very literal and read through the passage especially how it ends and not just limit to first paragraph. If the last four lines starting with such... are not included, the answer you picked would be right..
Re: A recent study has provided clues to predator-prey d
[#permalink]
19 Jul 2013, 21:21
the ans is e , bcuz implications mean conclusion drawn from something , and the para above is a finding , as they havent taken any concrete stand . so the ans is E
Re: A recent study has provided clues to predator-prey d
[#permalink]
21 Jul 2013, 10:15
1
Kudos
My take to solve primary purpose passage is to read complete passage or skim it ( read first line of each para ) whatever you do make sure to reorganize thought . . put your brain and think why has author written this passage ? and think in generic terms . whats generic term ? i remember the most dumb answer the last bencher gave to teacher (after knowing not much about the topic) when I was in 6th standard.
U just need to know what author is talking about never go for any kind of detail. The answer choices referring to details are well crafted to catch your attention as is A . . this one was easier para though you may find more difficult ones too ..
Has the author written this to provide several explanations ? no he was just telling that a new research finding has put light on some blah blah blah , , E is bingo . .
Archived Topic
Hi there,
This topic has been closed and archived due to inactivity or violation of community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.
Still interested in this question? Check out the "Best Topics" block above for a better discussion on this exact question, as well as several more related questions.
Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!
gmatclubot
Re: A recent study has provided clues to predator-prey d [#permalink]
close
19 Jul 2013, 20:06
