The United States National Park Service (NPS) is in the unenviable pos

Analysis

From the first sentence, you can already tell a lot about this passage. The Park Service has an “unenviable” (opinion keyword) dilemma. You can predict that the author will state (in the grayedout text of the first paragraph) what that dilemma is.You get more opinion from the author in the final sentence of paragraph 1. “Unfortunately,” (opinion keyword), the Park Service can’t maintain the parks with so many visitors. The problem is apparently “serious” (emphasis keyword). On Test Day you would jot some brief notes on your noteboard about the main idea of the first paragraph:

¶1: NPS problem: lots of visitors = hard to maintain lands
From the first sentence of the second paragraph, where do you anticipate that this passage will go? The phrase “alleviate the deterioration” indicates that the author will discuss some possible
solutions to the Park Service’s problem. Now is a good time to ask yourself whether this author is likely to express a preference for one of those solutions in particular. It seems that this author will probably describe the solutions without supporting one over the others, since she says there are “several” and that they might work at the same time. In the middle of the second paragraph, the
word “Furthermore” is a continuation keyword, signaling that the paragraph continues to describe a proposed solution and why it might be effective. This is all you need to know about this paragraph from your initial read-through. Take down some notes for later reference:

¶2: Possible solutions; details about the first Right off the bat, the third paragraph indicates that the author will describe “another approach.” If you need to know details about this other approach, you can always return to the passage to research the answer to a question.

¶3: 2nd solution details
Just from this quick analysis, notice how much you already understand about the structure of the passage and the author’s point of view. You effectively know what the grayed-out parts of the passage
accomplish, even though you can’t recite the details they contain. You are now in a strong position to approach the questions that accompany this passage, knowing that you can always return to the passage to clarify your understanding of any relevant details.
_________________

Official Answers and Explanations

_________________

1. Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage as a whole?
>> I need to understand the structure of the passage as whole
Pre-thinking :First problem discussed then one path and then another path


A) The author mentions a problem, and opposing solutions are then described.
>>True, the author mentions the problem in the end of 1st para. But the solutions mentioned in subsequent passages are not opposite to each other as “Another approach” mentioned in beginning of 3rd paragraph

B) The various factors that led to a problem are considered, and one factor is named the root cause.
>>yes one factor is named the root cause but we are more interested in structure of whole passage.
Root cause is only mentoned in the 3rd para.

C) A historical survey is made of an institution, followed by a discussion of the problem of management of the institution.
>>this is not discussed in passage

D) A problem is described, and two possibly compatible methods for reducing the problem are then outlined.- - CORRECT
>>yes matching to our prethinking analysis.

E) A description of a plan and the flaws of the plan are delineated.
>> plan is not the core of the passaged. Furthermore, flaws are not delineated( presented) but just has mentioned 2 approaches and description about these approaches.

2. The author is primarily concerned with
>> overall what the passage what to highlight
Pre-thinking :Approaches to the resolve the problem

A) analyzing the various problems that beset the NPS
>> the problem is one but solutions are discussed

B) summarizing the causes of deterioration of NPS properties
>> it is discussed in first passage but not in overall

C) criticizing the NPS’s maintenance of its properties
>> yes criticize but I want as a whole not restricted to one para

D) encouraging support for increased funding for the NPS
>> no such encouragement mentioned but author has given possible solution in one of the approach

E) discussing possible solutions for NPS properties’ deterioration- CORRECT
>> 2nd and 3rd para covers possible solutions and NPS properties’ deterioration in first para

1. Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage as a whole?

A) The author mentions a problem, and opposing solutions are then described. :-No opposing solution is described by author
B) The various factors that led to a problem are considered, and one factor is named the root cause.:-Author has mentioned a specific problem to the the root cause in last para only,
C) A historical survey is made of an institution, followed by a discussion of the problem of management of the institution.:-Management of institution is not discussed by author
D) A problem is described, and two possibly compatible methods for reducing the problem are then outlined. :- Correct
E) A description of a plan and the flaws of the plan are delineated.:-out of scope, no such plan is discussed

ANS- D

2. The author is primarily concerned with

A) analyzing the various problems that beset the NPS :-Incorrect, here problem related to properties discussed by Author
B) summarizing the causes of deterioration of NPS properties :-It only discussed in first para later Author has talked about solutions
C) criticizing the NPS’s maintenance of its properties :-Author has criticized the NPS only in first para not in whole pasage
D) encouraging support for increased funding for the NPS :-No such thing discussed in passage
E) discussing possible solutions for NPS properties’ deterioration :l- correct

Ans - E

1. Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage as a whole?

A) The author mentions a problem, and opposing solutions are then described.
=> The author mentions a problem but provides solutions to reduce the problem not oppose

B) The various factors that led to a problem are considered, and one factor is named the root cause.
=> Various factors have been discussed but no single cause has been pointed out as part of whole passage.

C) A historical survey is made of an institution, followed by a discussion of the problem of management of the institution.
=> Out of scope, nowhere discussed

D) A problem is described, and two possibly compatible methods for reducing the problem are then outlined.
=> CORRECT. The problem of parks, deteriorating condition, has been described and the last two paragraphs provide the solution to reduce that problem.

E) A description of a plan and the flaws of the plan are delineated.
=> Possible solutions have been described but not a plan.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. The author is primarily concerned with

A) analyzing the various problems that beset the NPS
=> The author is not analyzing the problems instead provides the solution to reduce the problem.

B) summarizing the causes of deterioration of NPS properties
=> Causes have been discussed but neither it is a summary nor it is the primary purpose, the primary purpose is to provide solutions

C) criticizing the NPS’s maintenance of its properties
=> Only once at the end of the first para and then probable solutions have been provided. Not the main idea

D) encouraging support for increased funding for the NPS
=> Not a primary purpose. It has been discussed in the passage to re-route the funding for a greater need and it has been only mentioned in the last line of the second passage

E) discussing possible solutions for NPS properties’ deterioration
=> CORRECT. Para 2 and para 3 discuss possible solutions for the deterioration mentioned in the first para. Covers the whole idea of the passage

Can someone please help explain why A can't be the answer to Q1?

The first sentence of first paragraph says: "The United States National Park Service (NPS) is in the unenviable position of being charged with two missions that are frequently at odds with one another."

I assumed "frequently at odds with one another" as support for option A.

Also, how are the two solutions "compatible" as mentioned in OA choice D?

Thank you!

Thanks for the explanation. I can understand why D is correct but I'm unable to see why A is wrong. The answer choice says "opposing". The prompt says "frequently at odds". Need help understanding how option A is not supported by the passage.

Posted from my mobile device

Answer option (A) has a very weak connection with the passage, the real problem is "Opposing solution" as there is no opposing solution is presented in the passage. (A) is simply out of scope.

Hello from the GMAT Club VerbalBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.
_________________