Last visit was: 06 Dec 2024, 12:52 It is currently 06 Dec 2024, 12:52
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
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.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
seofah
Joined: 29 Aug 2005
Last visit: 03 Apr 2010
Posts: 486
Own Kudos:
3,011
 [158]
Given Kudos: 7
Concentration: Finance, Entrepreneurship
 Q50  V40
Posts: 486
Kudos: 3,011
 [158]
14
Kudos
Add Kudos
143
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
mbaiseasy
Joined: 13 Aug 2012
Last visit: 29 Dec 2013
Posts: 327
Own Kudos:
1,883
 [38]
Given Kudos: 11
Concentration: Marketing, Finance
GPA: 3.23
Posts: 327
Kudos: 1,883
 [38]
32
Kudos
Add Kudos
6
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
GMATNinja
User avatar
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Last visit: 06 Dec 2024
Posts: 7,147
Own Kudos:
66,022
 [17]
Given Kudos: 1,869
Status: GMAT/GRE/LSAT tutors
Location: United States (CO)
GMAT 1: 780 Q51 V46
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Posts: 7,147
Kudos: 66,022
 [17]
14
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
GMATNinja
User avatar
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Last visit: 06 Dec 2024
Posts: 7,147
Own Kudos:
66,022
 [3]
Given Kudos: 1,869
Status: GMAT/GRE/LSAT tutors
Location: United States (CO)
GMAT 1: 780 Q51 V46
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Posts: 7,147
Kudos: 66,022
 [3]
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post

Passage breakdown


In passages that are one, long paragraph, it can be helpful to split the passage up. In this explanation, the passage will be split into three sections:

  • Section 1: from the start to “...classify pheromones as a type of odorant.”
  • Section 2: from “Evidence that pheromone responses…” to “...triggers sensations of smell.”
  • Section 3: from “But while the VNO does process…” to the end of the passage.

Here’s an example of how to breakdown this passage:

In the first section, the author introduces a debate:

  • Are pheromones detected consciously or unconsciously?

In the second section, the author presents evidence supporting the unconscious position:

  • One brain structure is used for consciously detecting odors, while another is used for unconsciously detecting pheromones.

In the third section, the author introduces factors that muddy the waters:

  • The brain structure evidence isn't as clearcut as it seemed to be.


For more on the process of breaking down RC passages, check out this article and our live RC videos.


Explanations for individual questions


General Discussion
User avatar
AN225
Joined: 29 Sep 2010
Last visit: 01 Mar 2017
Posts: 233
Own Kudos:
286
 [2]
Given Kudos: 48
Status:Happy to join ROSS!
Concentration: General Management, Strategy
Products:
Posts: 233
Kudos: 286
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The official answer is ADE.
Why 1-A is correct? The question refers to that part
In addition, the distinction between pheromones and odorants— chemicals that are consciously detected
as odors---can be blurry, and some researchers classify pheromones as a type of odorant
So according to these researchers, pheromenes are perceived consiously.

Why 3-E is correct (very tricky, I first got it wrong):
The primary purpose of the passage is to
A. compare and contrast the ways in which the vomeronasal organ and the main olfactory systern
process chemicals. << too specific for the main purpose
B. summarize the debate over the role the vomeronasal organ plays in odor perception << too narrow for the main purpose AND the main topic is pheromones, not VNO
C. present some of the issues involved in the debate over what constitutes a pheromone << nice shell game, GMAT! Actually, it is stated in the beginning of the text that pheromens are a type of chemicals. That is it. The rest of the passage is how pheremones are processed and reacted by bodies.
D. propose a new definition of pheromones based on recent research << no new definitions are discussed
E. argue that pheromones should be classified as a type of odorant << not the best answer, but the only one left and it is the correct answer
User avatar
tedchou12
Joined: 25 Feb 2014
Last visit: 12 Jul 2014
Posts: 8
Own Kudos:
15
 [1]
Given Kudos: 12
Location: Taiwan
GMAT 1: 660 Q49 V30
GPA: 3.9
GMAT 1: 660 Q49 V30
Posts: 8
Kudos: 15
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
For question 7, pheromones are perceived conciously. its true because the last example suggests snakes can use pheromones to detect prey.
But that would then contradict its thesis that "pheromones are detected by another individual of the same species". I seriously think B is still the best answer. GMAC is being asshole again.
avatar
vinraj
Joined: 13 Jun 2014
Last visit: 21 Jan 2016
Posts: 19
Own Kudos:
85
 [2]
Given Kudos: 23
Concentration: General Management, Entrepreneurship
GMAT 1: 660 Q48 V33
GMAT 1: 660 Q48 V33
Posts: 19
Kudos: 85
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
@ ORIGINAL POSTER... Please change the Correct Answer For the Third Question to C... You have Given the OA as E.. But the OA is C for the 'Primary Passage Question'.

This is an Official GMATPREP Question.. You can see the screen. GMAT marked the Answer as C
Attachments

Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 8.12.49 pm.png
Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 8.12.49 pm.png [ 1.99 MiB | Viewed 103166 times ]

avatar
SamBoyle
Joined: 31 Dec 2016
Last visit: 25 Oct 2017
Posts: 44
Own Kudos:
70
 [1]
Given Kudos: 22
Posts: 44
Kudos: 70
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Anyone else think it is very sloppy to write "some researchers" and talk about some researchers then write it again and say "some researchers" talking about a different group?

Clear writing would say other researchers. A lot of the confusion in the passage is drawn from this poorly written statement. If I was marking this person's AWA essay I would fail them for bad writing.


Imagine I wrote some NBAers think the NBA should call the rules such as travelling. In addition, the distinction between travelling and a legal play is minute and some NBAers think legal plays are travelling.


There is no consensus among researchers regarding what qualifies a substance as a pheromone. While most agree on a basic definition of pheromones as chemicals released by one individual of a species which, when detected by another individual of the same species, elicit a specific behavioral or physiological response, some researchers also specify that the response to pheromones must be unconscious. In addition, the distinction between pheromones and odorants—chemicals that are consciously detected as odors—can be blurry, some researcherswhile a different group of researchers classify pheromones as a type of odorant. Evidence that pheromone responses may not involve conscious odor perception comes from the finding that in many species, pheromones are processed by the vomeronasal (or accessory olfactory) system, which uses a special structure in the nose, the vomeronasal organ (VNO), to receive chemical signals. The neural connections between the VNO and the brain are separate from those of the main olfactory system, whose processing of odorants triggers sensations of smell. But while the VNO does process many animal pheromone signals, not all animal pheromones work through the VNO. Conversely, not all chemical signals transmitted via the VNO quality as pheromones. For example, garter snakes detect a chemical signal from earthworms—one of their favorite foods—via the VNO, and they use this signal to track
their prey.
User avatar
BillyZ
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 14 Nov 2016
Last visit: 20 Oct 2024
Posts: 1,158
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 926
Location: Malaysia
Concentration: General Management, Strategy
GMAT 1: 750 Q51 V40 (Online)
GPA: 3.53
Products:
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
GMATNinja, Could you help with question 1?
User avatar
GMATNinja
User avatar
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Last visit: 06 Dec 2024
Posts: 7,147
Own Kudos:
66,022
 [11]
Given Kudos: 1,869
Status: GMAT/GRE/LSAT tutors
Location: United States (CO)
GMAT 1: 780 Q51 V46
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Posts: 7,147
Kudos: 66,022
 [11]
9
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
hazelnut
GMATNinja, Could you help with question 1?
Quote:
1. It can be inferred from the passage that in classifying pheromones as a type of odorant, the researchers referred to the highlighted text posit that

(A) pheromones are perceived consciously
(B) most pheromones are processed by the VNO
(C) most chemical signals processed by the VNO are pheromones
(D) Pheromone perception does not occur exclusively between members of the same species.
(E) pheromones do not always elicit a specific behavioral or physiological response
Let's break down the given information:

  • We are told that "some researchers classify pheromones as a type of odorant."
  • Odorants are chemicals that are consciously detected as odors.
  • Thus, those researchers must believe that pheromones are consciously detected (or perceived) as odors.

Quote:
(A) pheromones are perceived consciously
This matches the given information exactly! Keep (A).

Quote:
(B) most pheromones are processed by the VNO
This is evidence that pheromone responses may NOT involve conscious odor perception. This contradicts the views of the highlighted researchers, so eliminate (B).

Quote:
(C) most chemical signals processed by the VNO are pheromones
We don't know whether this is even true based on the information in the passage. Eliminate (C).

Quote:
(D) Pheromone perception does not occur exclusively between members of the same species.
This idea is not discussed in the passage, so eliminate (D).

Quote:
(E) pheromones do not always elicit a specific behavioral or physiological response
We are told that most researchers (including the highlighted researchers) agree that pheromones are "chemicals released by one individual of a species which, when detected by another individual of the same species, elicit a specific behavioral or physiological response." So the highlighted researchers would NOT agree with choice (E). Eliminate this one.

(A) is the best choice.
avatar
Boomshockalocka
Joined: 07 May 2018
Last visit: 28 Dec 2018
Posts: 5
Own Kudos:
Location: United States
Schools: Sloan (MIT)
GMAT 1: 720 Q50 V38
GPA: 3.69
Schools: Sloan (MIT)
GMAT 1: 720 Q50 V38
Posts: 5
Kudos: 4
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
GMATNinja

Hi GMATNinja, could you please help explain question 3? Why C is correct but not D?

Which part of the passage discusses what constitute a pheromone?

And doesn't the passpage propose a new definition, which "specify that the response to pheromones must be unconscious"?

Thanks so much.
User avatar
NandishSS
Joined: 06 Jan 2015
Last visit: 28 Jan 2021
Posts: 723
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 579
Location: India
Concentration: Operations, Finance
GPA: 3.35
WE:Information Technology (Computer Software)
Posts: 723
Kudos: 1,629
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Quote:
2. According to the passage, the fact that pheromones are processed by the VNO in many animal species has been taken as evidence of which of the following?

(A) The accessory and main olfactory systems are not separate
(B) Odorants and pheromones are not distinct types of chemicals.
(C) Odorants and pheromones both elicit a specific behavioral response.
(D) Pheromones do not trigger conscious sensations of smell.
(E) Pheromones aid animals in tracking prey.

HI GMATNinja , mikemcgarry , egmat , sayantanc2k, RonPurewal , DmitryFarber , MagooshExpert (Carolyn), ccooley , GMATNinjaTwo , SarahPurewal

Can you please help me with above question?
User avatar
Nikhil
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 22 May 2017
Last visit: 06 Dec 2024
Posts: 12,820
Own Kudos:
9,094
 [1]
Given Kudos: 3,054
Affiliations: GMATClub
GPA: 3.4
WE:Engineering (Education)
Products:
Posts: 12,820
Kudos: 9,094
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
NandishSS
Quote:
2. According to the passage, the fact that pheromones are processed by the VNO in many animal species has been taken as evidence of which of the following?

(A) The accessory and main olfactory systems are not separate
(B) Odorants and pheromones are not distinct types of chemicals.
(C) Odorants and pheromones both elicit a specific behavioral response.
(D) Pheromones do not trigger conscious sensations of smell.
(E) Pheromones aid animals in tracking prey.

HI GMATNinja , mikemcgarry , egmat , sayantanc2k, RonPurewal , DmitryFarber , MagooshExpert (Carolyn), ccooley , GMATNinjaTwo , SarahPurewal

Can you please help me with above question?

Hello,

I tried the question and got it correct. Following is my analysis.

The relevant portion from the passage is "Evidence that pheromone responses may not involve conscious odor perception comes from the finding ... " and then presents the fact in question. So we can infer that the given fact is used as an evidence that pheromone responses doesn't involve conscious odor perception and option D reflects this. Hence I chose option D.

Let me know what you think ?
User avatar
MagooshExpert
User avatar
Magoosh GMAT Instructor
Joined: 30 Oct 2017
Last visit: 15 Jan 2020
Posts: 231
Own Kudos:
414
 [1]
Given Kudos: 20
Expert reply
Posts: 231
Kudos: 414
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
NandishSS
Quote:
2. According to the passage, the fact that pheromones are processed by the VNO in many animal species has been taken as evidence of which of the following?

(A) The accessory and main olfactory systems are not separate
(B) Odorants and pheromones are not distinct types of chemicals.
(C) Odorants and pheromones both elicit a specific behavioral response.
(D) Pheromones do not trigger conscious sensations of smell.
(E) Pheromones aid animals in tracking prey.

HI GMATNinja , mikemcgarry , egmat , sayantanc2k, RonPurewal , DmitryFarber , MagooshExpert (Carolyn), ccooley , GMATNinjaTwo , SarahPurewal

Can you please help me with above question?
Hi NandishSS,

Glad to help! :-)

workout is correct here -- the relevant portion of the passage is: "Evidence that pheromone responses may not involve conscious odor perception comes from the finding that in many species, pheromones are processed by the VNO". So this tells us that the fact pheromones are processed by the VNO provides evidence that pheromones do not trigger a conscious sensation of smell, which matches choice D :-)

Let me know if that isn't clear!
-Carolyn
User avatar
pytha1gurus
Joined: 11 Mar 2014
Last visit: 30 Nov 2023
Posts: 339
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 8
Posts: 339
Kudos: 113
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
1. As per the text, it is suggested from the discussion that the pheromones should be detected unconsciously. However, if the pheromones are considered similar to odorant which can be detected consciously than it can be concluded that pheromones should be detected consciously only being similar to odorant.
The answer is supported from lines 2-3 of the text.
Let us do POE
A- This is supported as per the discussion made in the passage. Correct answer.
B- Now, since if the pheromones are same as odorants, choice B does not hold true. Also, see the choice suggests, “most”, and there is such comparison made in the text. Inference is a logical conclusion that should be supported entirely from the text.
C- On the same grounds as B, choice C is eliminated.
D- The information provided id out of scope.
E- The question focuses only on the opinion of the researchers. Do not get deviated and get into this trap answer choice.
2. A- The subject of the question remains to be pheromones and not accessory and main olfactory systems.
B. Reversal of what is stated in the passage.
C- Out of context .VNO is cited to explain that there is a separate system to detect pheromones.
D- Is the correct answer.
E –Trap answer choice, to get better clarity refer back to the text. The example of snake mentioned in the last line of the passage is not provided to justify choice E.

3. A –The passage’s main idea is to discuss pheromones hence choice A goes out.
B-Again the correct answer should focus on pheromones being the main point of discussion, choice B gets eliminated.
C –Correct (The passage provides with the basic definition of pheromones. Then the author talks about the distinction between odorants and pheromones and beliefs of some researchers. Later, the role of VNO is discussed.)
D- The author does not conclude a new definition.
E-There is no support from the passage which suggests that the author is trying to ascertain this as a correct information.
Hope it helps.
Keep practicing.
All the best!!
PythaGURUS Faculty Team
User avatar
suminha
Joined: 03 Feb 2020
Last visit: 17 Dec 2022
Posts: 115
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 242
Location: Korea, Republic of
Posts: 115
Kudos: 360
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
SamBoyle
Anyone else think it is very sloppy to write "some researchers" and talk about some researchers then write it again and say "some researchers" talking about a different group?

Clear writing would say other researchers. A lot of the confusion in the passage is drawn from this poorly written statement. If I was marking this person's AWA essay I would fail them for bad writing.


Imagine I wrote some NBAers think the NBA should call the rules such as travelling. In addition, the distinction between travelling and a legal play is minute and some NBAers think legal plays are travelling.


There is no consensus among researchers regarding what qualifies a substance as a pheromone. While most agree on a basic definition of pheromones as chemicals released by one individual of a species which, when detected by another individual of the same species, elicit a specific behavioral or physiological response, some researchers also specify that the response to pheromones must be unconscious. In addition, the distinction between pheromones and odorants—chemicals that are consciously detected as odors—can be blurry, some researcherswhile a different group of researchers classify pheromones as a type of odorant. Evidence that pheromone responses may not involve conscious odor perception comes from the finding that in many species, pheromones are processed by the vomeronasal (or accessory olfactory) system, which uses a special structure in the nose, the vomeronasal organ (VNO), to receive chemical signals. The neural connections between the VNO and the brain are separate from those of the main olfactory system, whose processing of odorants triggers sensations of smell. But while the VNO does process many animal pheromone signals, not all animal pheromones work through the VNO. Conversely, not all chemical signals transmitted via the VNO quality as pheromones. For example, garter snakes detect a chemical signal from earthworms—one of their favorite foods—via the VNO, and they use this signal to track
their prey.

"While most agree on a basic definition of pheromones as chemicals released by one individual of a species which, when detected by another individual of the same species, elicit a specific behavioral or physiological response, some researchers also specify that the response to pheromones must be unconscious"

"also" is a "same" signal. So ignore "some" and you can think that it is a most people's idea.
User avatar
suminha
Joined: 03 Feb 2020
Last visit: 17 Dec 2022
Posts: 115
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 242
Location: Korea, Republic of
Posts: 115
Kudos: 360
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
suminha
SamBoyle
Anyone else think it is very sloppy to write "some researchers" and talk about some researchers then write it again and say "some researchers" talking about a different group?

Clear writing would say other researchers. A lot of the confusion in the passage is drawn from this poorly written statement. If I was marking this person's AWA essay I would fail them for bad writing.


Imagine I wrote some NBAers think the NBA should call the rules such as travelling. In addition, the distinction between travelling and a legal play is minute and some NBAers think legal plays are travelling.


There is no consensus among researchers regarding what qualifies a substance as a pheromone. While most agree on a basic definition of pheromones as chemicals released by one individual of a species which, when detected by another individual of the same species, elicit a specific behavioral or physiological response, some researchers also specify that the response to pheromones must be unconscious. In addition, the distinction between pheromones and odorants—chemicals that are consciously detected as odors—can be blurry, some researcherswhile a different group of researchers classify pheromones as a type of odorant. Evidence that pheromone responses may not involve conscious odor perception comes from the finding that in many species, pheromones are processed by the vomeronasal (or accessory olfactory) system, which uses a special structure in the nose, the vomeronasal organ (VNO), to receive chemical signals. The neural connections between the VNO and the brain are separate from those of the main olfactory system, whose processing of odorants triggers sensations of smell. But while the VNO does process many animal pheromone signals, not all animal pheromones work through the VNO. Conversely, not all chemical signals transmitted via the VNO quality as pheromones. For example, garter snakes detect a chemical signal from earthworms—one of their favorite foods—via the VNO, and they use this signal to track
their prey.

"While most agree on a basic definition of pheromones as chemicals released by one individual of a species which, when detected by another individual of the same species, elicit a specific behavioral or physiological response, some researchers also specify that the response to pheromones must be unconscious"

"also" is a "same" signal. So ignore "some" and you can think that it is a most people's idea.

This is how I break down this passage.
Let me know it helps :)

Posted from my mobile device
Attachments

191EC8C6-97CA-4E0A-9294-FED4168EA898.jpeg
191EC8C6-97CA-4E0A-9294-FED4168EA898.jpeg [ 125.99 KiB | Viewed 48643 times ]

User avatar
VerbalBot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 01 Oct 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 17,993
Own Kudos:
Posts: 17,993
Kudos: 901
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
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.
Moderators:
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7147 posts
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
234 posts
GRE Forum Moderator
14125 posts