I06-06

Question

White sharks of the genus  Carcharodon  are the most famous and one of the most heavily studied of all living sharks. The extant species,  Carcharodon carcharias , is large, powerful, and archipelagic, predominantly leading a solitary life. Although primarily inhabitants of continental and insular shelves, white sharks are capable of traveling long distances and possess one of the most extensive geographic ranges of any shark. They are most commonly found in temperate waters, though large adults are occasionally reported in tropical regions. White sharks occupy depths ranging from the surf line to approximately 1,300 meters.
 
Based on the information in the passage, from the five provided options, select for  Most Likely Location  the location where  Carcharodon carcharias  would be most likely found, and select for  Least Likely Location  the location where it would be least likely found. Make only two selections, one in each column.

Bunuel · Answer

Official Solution:

Most Likely Location:  North American Atlantic Ocean coastal shelf
 
This location is the most likely because white sharks primarily inhabit continental shelves and are most commonly found in temperate waters, which aligns perfectly with the North American Atlantic Ocean coastal shelf.
 
 Least Likely Location:  10,000-meter depth of deep-sea Mariana Trench
 
This is the least likely because the passage explicitly states that white sharks occupy depths only up to about 1,300 meters, making the Mariana Trench far beyond their known range.
 
 Other options: 
 
• Shallow beaches of Equatorial Guinea: While not impossible, this location is less likely because white sharks are primarily found in temperate waters.  Equatorial  Guinea is in a tropical region, and the passage states that  large adults  are  only occasionally  reported in tropical waters.
 
• 100-meter depth of the tropical Caribbean Sea: This location is plausible, however, temperate waters are more commonly associated with white sharks, making this less likely than North American Atlantic Ocean coastal shelf.
 
• In the coastal waters of South Africa, within a school of two or more sharks: While the coastal waters of South Africa might be plausible for white sharks, the passage mentions that the sharks predominantly lead a solitary life, making this option less likely than the North American Atlantic Ocean coastal shelf.

Correct answer:

Most Likely Location  "North American Atlantic Ocean coastal shelf"

Least Likely Location  "10,000-meter depth of deep-sea Mariana Trench"

tavishichauhan · Answer

I think this is a  high-quality  question and the explanation isn't clear enough, please elaborate.

Bunuel · Answer

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

HenryHai · Answer

Hi,
For "Least Likely Location", we have the information from the passage that: "  They are most commonly found in temperate waters, though large adults are  occasionally  reported in  tropical regions  .  White sharks occupy depths ranging from the  surf line   to approximately 1,300 meters ."

-> I think " 100-meter depth of the tropical Caribbean Sea" is also a good option. Because "Least likely location" doesn't mean that "Cannot-stay location" and the "occasionally" word emphasize on the possibility of white sharks being there.

Bunuel · Answer

"Least likely" includes locations with a probability of 0 or close to 0. The 10,000-meter depth of deep-sea Mariana Trench is explicitly beyond the white shark's depth range (1,300 meters), making the probability of finding them there 0 or close to 0. Therefore, it qualifies as the least likely location, while 100-meter depth of the tropical Caribbean Sea is plausible due to occasional sightings in tropical waters.

IcanDoIt23 · Answer

I don’t quite agree with the solution. I agree with the solution. There was no other option for me to select to write a feedback.

This questions assumes knowledge about meanings and differences b/w continental, equatorial, geography of Caribbean, Guinea, etc. which I think GMAT never assumes. Therefore, w/o having the knowledge about geography concerned within this question, its hard to answer the question, at least for the 1st part.

Bunuel · Answer

No, the question does not require extensive prior geography knowledge. Knowing or guessing that  Equatorial  Guinea is near the equator does not demand deep geographic expertise, it's a straightforward inference from the name. Similarly, recognizing that the  North  American Atlantic Ocean coastal shelf likely has temperate waters is logical and does not require specialized knowledge, just basic reasoning. The passage itself provides enough clues to make the right selections without needing to be a geographer.

IcanDoIt23 · Answer

Thanks for the response. I agree, its a basic inference when we talk about the equatorial Guinea. However:

When I was attempting this question, I was looking for a choice that indicates to a temperate region (since these sharks are commonly found there). As I understand, temperate would be a warmer region. Also, from school knowledge, I know regions near to equator are warmer as compared to the farther from it.

With this understanding, I was inclined to chose option " Shallow beaches of Equatorial Guinea" in place of "North American Atlantic Ocean coastal shelf" because, for me it was not direct (maybe I'm clueless) that water of North American Atlantic Ocean costal shelf has temperate water.

Bunuel · Answer

Your confusion comes from equating  temperate  with  warm , but temperate simply means  moderate . The passage contrasts it with  tropical , making it clear that sharks are commonly found in moderate (temperate) waters, not tropical ones like those near the equator. That’s enough to eliminate Equatorial Guinea without needing geography knowledge.

Sushi_545 · Answer

hi  Bunuel ,

can you help me in choice b i selected it because i found out its the most specifically stated choice. from choice d "  continental shelves and are most commonly found in temperate waters" --> I am sorry i m poor in geographics.

Bunuel · Answer

Choice B is in tropical waters, where white sharks are only occasionally found. Choice D matches both "temperate" and "continental shelf," making it the best fit.

ShreyaMittal1609 · Answer

I like the solution - it’s helpful.

quiaitaque · Answer

Hi  Bunuel  ,

I've read through the form discussion but unable to decipher any inference as to which areas are classified as "tropical" and "temperate" areas.

For example; how do I know that "    Equatorial  Guinea is in a tropical region "

This on the other hand was possible to infer : " tropical Caribbean Sea "

Bunuel · Answer

I don’t have much to add to what I’ve already said above. “Equatorial Guinea” gives the clue in the name. “Equatorial” means near the equator, and near the equator is tropical.

quiaitaque · Answer

Yes  Bunuel  I do understand, But what if someone doesn't recall/remember/know that "equator is tropical".

Bunuel · Answer

I thought that was common knowledge, but maybe I’m wrong.

Akshayjain806 · Answer

I think least likely is something >0 prob and 10000 m depth is 0 possibility. Thats why i have not marked that answer.

axeofflane · Answer

Lmao i got stuck here cause I didnt catch the "continental shelves part", i couldnt for the life of me understand where it was most likely to be

axeofflane · Answer

Ms. Johnson from Geo class in grade 6 would like to have a word with you

I06-06

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My Rewards

Most Likely Location	Least Likely Location
		Shallow beaches of Equatorial Guinea
		100-meter depth of the tropical Caribbean Sea
		10,000-meter depth of deep-sea Mariana Trench
		North American Atlantic Ocean coastal shelf
		In the coastal waters of South Africa, within a school of two or more sharks