Recently, biologist Christopher Imboden proposeda strategy to correct

Question

Recently, biologist Christopher Imboden proposed a strategy to correct a major tactical error on the part of conservation biologists. For the past 25years, the status of the world’s bird species has been
(5) summarized in so-called Red Data Books, which list species definitely known to be threatened, thereby implying that all remaining species are secure. Imboden now suggests using “green lists” to indicate those species definitely known to be secure, thereby
(10) shifting the burden of proof to those who maintain that all is well. Use of the books is appropriate for Europe and North America, where armies of amateur naturalists, field guides in hand, search for rare birds every weekend; thus, up-to-date information is always
(15) available on the conservation status of every species. But most species live in the tropics, where one cannot assume that lack of bad news about a species guarantees good news. Nothing is known about the current status of many tropical species discovered
(20) long ago, simply because no biologist has visited the collecting locality since the original description. Given the small geographical ranges often characteristic of tropical species, many must have vanished from formerly forested areas now converted to cropland.
(25) Hence, Red Data Books for the tropics are minimal rather than maximal lists of endangered species, and only case-by-case assessments can show which of the remaining species actually belong on a green list. The real test of whether Red Data Books or green
(30) lists give a truer picture of the extinction crisis will come from case-by-case surveys of the world’s most species-rich habitats—the continental tropics. As one indication of what such surveys may show, a four-year search for freshwater fish in Malaya
(35) revealed no evidence for the continued existence of an astonishing 54 percent of the 266 species originally recorded. Although those who advocate the use of Red Data Books claim that 96 percent of the world's bird species are secure, believing that 87 of
(40) the approximately 8,000 bird species extant in the year 1600 are now extinct and that about 283 more are endangered, Imboden estimates that fewer than one-third of the world’s bird species would qualify fora green list.  
 1  
 1. The relationship between which of the following is most closely analogous to the relationship between Red Data Books and green lists, as they are described in the passage?

A. A list of reference materials that are important to consult and a list of materials that are less important to consult
B. A list of cars in need of major repairs and a list of cars in need of minor repairs
C. A list of tours given in Europe and a list of tours given in Africa and Asia
D. A list of necessary expenses and a list of expenses that can be eliminated
E. A list of items in low supply and a list of items of which there is sufficient stock

2  
 2. The author most likely mentions Malayan freshwater fish in order to

A. compare the rates of extinction found in fish species with the rates found in bird species
B. describe the way in which case-by-case assessment of species was conducted in the past
C. emphasize that tropical species are more prone to extinction than species in temperate regions
D. provide an example of data revealed by a case-by-case assessment of species
E. suggest that more up-to-date information is available for species of fish than for species of birds

3  
 3. According to the passage, all of the following are true statements about tropical bird species EXCEPT:

A. Current information is not available about the conservation status of many tropical species.
B. Biologists have only recently begun to describe and categorize rare tropical species.
C. Many tropical species are losing their habitats because of increased cultivation of land.
D. Tropical species often inhabit small geographical areas.
E. There are more bird species in the tropics than in other parts of the world.

MartyMurray · Accepted Answer

1. The relationship between which of the following is most closely analogous to the relationship between Red Data Books and green lists, as they are described in the passage?

The correct answer to this Application question will present a relationship that's similar to the one between Red Data Books and green lists.

The passage says the following about the two types of lists:

Red Data Books, which list species definitely known to be threatened ... “green lists” to indicate those species definitely known to be secure

So, using the above and other information from the passage, we see that the relationship between Red Data Books and green lists is that Red Data Books list known problems while green lists list cases in which security, or absence of a problem, has been confirmed.

A. A list of reference materials that are important to consult and a list of materials that are less important to consult

This is not analogous because no degree of importance is given to different species listed in Red Data Books and green lists.

Eliminate.

B. A list of cars in need of major repairs and a list of cars in need of minor repairs

This is not quite analogous because species in green lists are not endangered in a "minor" way. They are secure, basically not endangered at all.

In other words, the difference between the two lists of cars is a matter of degree to which the cars need repairs. All the cars need repairs. In contrast, the difference between species Red Data Books and green lists is binary. They are either clearly endangered or clearly secure.

Eliminate

C. A list of tours given in Europe and a list of tours given in Africa and Asia

This is completely wrong. Though relationships between species and geographic areas are mentioned in the passage, the Red Data Books and green lists of species do not involve categorization on the basis of location.

Eliminate.

D. A list of necessary expenses and a list of expenses that can be eliminated

The relationship between the lists mentioned in this choice is somewhat similar to the relationship between Red Data Books and green lists because, like Red Data Books and green lists, the two lists mentioned in this choice are flip sides of each other: necessary expenses are those that cannot be eliminated, and expenses that can be eliminated are those are not necessary.

At the same time, this choice is not the best of the options because Red Data Books and green lists do not indicate that some species are necessary while others can be eliminated. Rather, the implications of both Red Data Books and green lists are that all species are important.

Eliminate.

E. A list of items in low supply and a list of items of which there is sufficient stock

This is analogous. The list of items in low supply is analogous to the species that are clearly endangered in the Red Data Books. The list of items of which there is sufficient supply is analogous to the species known to be secure.

Keep.

Correct answer:   E

2. The author most likely mentions Malayan freshwater fish in order to

Scanning the passage for "Malayan freshwater fish," we find the following:

As one indication of what such surveys may show, a four-year search for freshwater fish in Malaya revealed no evidence for the continued existence of an astonishing 54 percent of the 266 species originally recorded.

We see that that sentence presents an example. So, we can look above that sentence in the passage to see what it's an example of and find the following:

The real test of whether Red Data Books or green lists give a truer picture of the extinction crisis will come from case-by-case surveys of the world’s most species-rich habitats—the continental tropics.

So, the author mentions Malayan freshwater fish to provide an example of what can be found by means of "case-by-case surveys."

A. compare the rates of extinction found in fish species with the rates found in bird species

No such comparison between rates of extinction is presented in the passage.

Eliminate.

B. describe the way in which case-by-case assessment of species was conducted in the past

The point is to show what kinds of information can be found, not to describe how the surveys were conducted. The "way" in which case-by-case assessment was conducted is not mentioned.

Eliminate.

C. emphasize that tropical species are more prone to extinction than species in temperate regions

No such comparison of proneness to extinction is made.

Eliminate.

D. provide an example of data revealed by a case-by-case assessment of species

This is exactly what the author does by mentioning Malayan freshwater fish.

Keep.

E. suggest that more up-to-date information is available for species of fish than for species of birds

No such comparison is made.

Eliminate.

Correct answer:   D

3. According to the passage, all of the following are true statements about tropical bird species EXCEPT:

A. Current information is not available about the conservation status of many tropical species.

From the passage: "Nothing is known about the current status of many tropical species discovered long ago, simply because no biologist has visited the collecting locality since the original description."

Eliminate.

B. Biologists have only recently begun to describe and categorize rare tropical species.

This contradicts multiple things said in the passage, such as the following:

"many tropical species discovered long ago"

"the approximately 8,000 bird species extant in the year 1600"

Keep.

C. Many tropical species are losing their habitats because of increased cultivation of land.

From the passage: "many must have vanished from formerly forested areas now converted to cropland"

Eliminate.

D. Tropical species often inhabit small geographical areas.

From the passage: "the small geographical ranges often characteristic of tropical species"

Eliminate.

E. There are more bird species in the tropics than in other parts of the world.

From the passage: "most species live in the tropics"

Eliminate.

Correct answer:   B

guddo · Answer

1. The relationship between which of the following is most closely analogous to the relationship between Red Data Books and green lists, as they are described in the passage?

The passage says Red Data Books list species known to be endangered, while green lists would list species known to be secure. So the relationship is between a list of items with a problem and a list of items confirmed to be safe or sufficient.  That contrast is endangered vs secure , or  low supply vs sufficient stock .

A. A list of reference materials that are important to consult and a list of materials that are less important to consult

This is not parallel. “Important” and “less important” are not the same kind of contrast as endangered and secure.

B. A list of cars in need of major repairs and a list of cars in need of minor repairs

This is not parallel. Both lists contain cars with problems, just different levels of problems.

C. A list of tours given in Europe and a list of tours given in Africa and Asia

This is only a geographic distinction. It does not match the contrast between threatened and secure.

D. A list of necessary expenses and a list of expenses that can be eliminated

This is not parallel. It contrasts required and unnecessary, not endangered and secure.

E. A list of items in low supply and a list of items of which there is sufficient stock

This is correct. Items in low supply are like species known to be threatened. Items with sufficient stock are like species known to be secure. This best matches the Red Data Book versus green list relationship.

Answer: (E)

guddo · Answer

2. The author most likely mentions Malayan freshwater fish in order to

The passage argues that for tropical species, general lists may be misleading because many species have not been checked recently. The Malayan fish example shows what can happen when researchers actually do a case-by-case survey: many species once recorded may no longer be found.  So the example supports the need for detailed surveys  by showing the kind of data such surveys can reveal.

A. compare the rates of extinction found in fish species with the rates found in bird species

This is incorrect. The author is not comparing fish extinction rates with bird extinction rates.

B. describe the way in which case-by-case assessment of species was conducted in the past

This is too broad. The example shows the result of one survey, not the method by which such assessments were historically conducted.

C. emphasize that tropical species are more prone to extinction than species in temperate regions

This is not the main purpose. The example concerns tropical species, but it is used specifically to show what  case-by-case surveys  may reveal.

D. provide an example of data revealed by a case-by-case assessment of species

This is correct. The author introduces the Malayan fish survey as “one indication of what such surveys may show.” It illustrates the kind of evidence produced by case-by-case assessment.

E. suggest that more up-to-date information is available for species of fish than for species of birds

This is incorrect. The passage does not compare the availability of information about fish and birds.

Answer: (D)

guddo · Answer

3. According to the passage, all of the following are true statements about tropical bird species EXCEPT:

The passage says many tropical species were discovered long ago, but their current conservation status is unknown because no biologist has revisited their collecting localities. It also says tropical species often have small ranges and may have disappeared where forests have been converted to cropland.  So the false statement is the one that says biologists only recently began describing them .

A. Current information is not available about the conservation status of many tropical species.

This is true. The passage says nothing is known about the current status of many tropical species.

B. Biologists have only recently begun to describe and categorize rare tropical species.

This is the exception. The passage says many tropical species were discovered long ago, not that biologists only recently began describing them.

C. Many tropical species are losing their habitats because of increased cultivation of land.

This is true. The passage says many species must have vanished from formerly forested areas now converted to cropland.

D. Tropical species often inhabit small geographical areas.

This is true. The passage says small geographical ranges are often characteristic of tropical species.

E. There are more bird species in the tropics than in other parts of the world.

This is true. The passage says most species live in the tropics, in the context of the world’s bird species.

Answer: (B)

Legallyblond · Answer

q1 - A- the extent of importance is not given 
B - nothing about who needs more attention or repairs
C - doesnt make any sense
D - elimination? we dont know that if we can eliminate them 
E- yeah they are endangered because they are less in number and others are more in number

Shivam625 · Answer

MartyMurray

Can you please explain option D of question 1 in more detail?
I'm not able to understand your explanation to discard option D, Q1.

MartyMurray · Answer

I've updated my explanation for (D) above. Please see whether it's now sufficient, and let me know if you have further questions.

Shivam625 · Answer

Thank you for you explanation, I get it now.

egmat · Answer

Hi Shivam625,

Good question. The key is to first nail down the exact relationship the passage sets up, then test whether D matches it.

From the passage:

- Red Data Books list species  "definitely known to be threatened"  - i.e., things with a  problem  / in  danger .
- Green lists indicate species  "definitely known to be secure"  - i.e., things that are  fine  /  safe .

So the relationship we need to mirror is  danger vs. safety  - one list flags trouble, the other confirms all-is-well.

Why D fails

D pairs  "necessary expenses"  with  "expenses that can be eliminated."  That's a contrast of  essential vs. non-essential  - how important or needed something is.

That is a completely different axis from  threatened vs. secure :

- A "necessary" expense isn't in danger; it's just required.
- An expense that "can be eliminated" isn't  safe  or  secure  - it's the opposite, the one you'd cut.

So neither half of D lines up. Threatened species aren't "necessary," and secure species aren't "things you can eliminate." The pair captures  need , not  danger vs. safety . That's why it's out.

Compare E:  "low supply"  (a problem - matches threatened) vs.  "sufficient stock"  (all is fine - matches secure). That mirrors the passage exactly.

A quick gut-check

Try this everyday version. Imagine two lists:

-  List 1:  patients who are sick.
-  List 2:  patients confirmed healthy.

Now ask which everyday pair matches that  sick vs. healthy  idea: "foods I must buy vs. foods I can skip" (that's D's  need  idea) - or "groceries running out vs. groceries fully stocked" (that's E's  problem vs. fine  idea)? You'll feel instantly that the second one fits. Map that back: D measures  need , E measures  trouble vs. safety  - and trouble vs. safety is what the two book types are about.

Answer: E

TheAdmissionHub · Answer

What the author does: 
The author presents and evaluates Christopher Imboden's proposal to replace traditional Red Data Books with "green lists." The author explains why Red Data Books may give a misleading picture of species conservation, especially in tropical regions where information is scarce, and supports Imboden's argument with evidence and examples.

Short summary: 
The passage argues that conservationists should focus on identifying species that are definitely secure rather than assuming that species not listed as endangered are safe. Because many tropical species have not been adequately studied, current estimates may underestimate extinction risks. Evidence from tropical surveys suggests that far fewer species are secure than previously believed.

1. The relationship between which of the following is most closely analogous to the relationship between Red Data Books and green lists, as they are described in the passage?

A. A list of reference materials that are important to consult and a list of materials that are less important to consult
 Wrong:  This concerns importance versus lack of importance, not threatened versus secure status.
B. A list of cars in need of major repairs and a list of cars in need of minor repairs
 Wrong:  Both categories involve a problem; green lists instead identify species that are secure.
C. A list of tours given in Europe and a list of tours given in Africa and Asia
 Wrong:  This is simply a geographical distinction.
D. A list of necessary expenses and a list of expenses that can be eliminated
 Wrong:  This distinction is based on necessity, not on risk versus security.
E. A list of items in low supply and a list of items of which there is sufficient stock
 Correct:  Red Data Books list species known to be threatened, while green lists identify species known to be secure. This option reflects the same contrast.

2. The author most likely mentions Malayan freshwater fish in order to 
A. compare the rates of extinction found in fish species with the rates found in bird species
 Wrong:  The passage does not compare fish and bird extinction rates.
B. describe the way in which case-by-case assessment of species was conducted in the past
 Wrong:  The example is used as evidence, not as a description of methodology.
C. emphasize that tropical species are more prone to extinction than species in temperate regions
 Wrong:  The author does not make this comparison.
D. provide an example of data revealed by a case-by-case assessment of species
 Correct:  The fish survey demonstrates the type of information that case-by-case studies can reveal.
E. suggest that more up-to-date information is available for species of fish than for species of birds
 Wrong:  The passage never makes this claim.

3. According to the passage, all of the following are true statements about tropical bird species EXCEPT: 
A. Current information is not available about the conservation status of many tropical species.
 Wrong : The passage explicitly states that little is known about the current status of many tropical species.
B. Biologists have only recently begun to describe and categorize rare tropical species.
 Correct:  The passage says that many tropical species were discovered long ago, not recently.
C. Many tropical species are losing their habitats because of increased cultivation of land.
 Wrong:  The author notes that formerly forested areas have been converted to cropland.
D. Tropical species often inhabit small geographical areas.
 Wrong:  The passage directly states that tropical species often have small geographical ranges.
E. There are more bird species in the tropics than in other parts of the world.
 Wrong:  The tropics are described as the world's most species-rich habitats.

LuckyTrap · Answer

anyone can help me with the  structure  of this passage? thx

egmat · Answer

Hi LuckyTrap,

Happy to walk you through how this passage is built. Even though it's one big block of text, it moves through clear stages, and once you see them the whole thing gets much easier to hold in your head.

The flow, stage by stage

The proposal (lines 1-11):  Imboden wants to fix a "tactical error." Old tool =  Red Data Books , which list species  known to be threatened  - so anything not listed is  assumed secure . His new tool =  green lists , which flip this: they list only species  known to be secure , shifting the burden of proof onto anyone claiming all is well.

Where the old tool works (lines 11-16):  In Europe and North America, hordes of amateur naturalists constantly check on birds, so information stays current. Red Data Books are fine there.

Where the old tool fails (lines 16-24):  "But most species live in the tropics..." - here,  no bad news ≠ good news . Many tropical species haven't been checked since first discovery, have small ranges, and may have quietly vanished as forests became cropland.

The consequence (lines 25-28):Therefore  tropical Red Data Books are  minimal, not maximal  lists of endangered species - only case-by-case surveys can tell which species truly deserve a green list.

The evidence (lines 29-42):  The real test is case-by-case surveys of the tropics. The Malayan fish example ( 54%  not found) hints at what such surveys reveal. The passage closes by contrasting the two camps' numbers: Red Data advocates say  96%  of birds are secure, but Imboden estimates fewer than  one-third  would make a green list.

The one-line takeaway

The backbone is:  new proposal → when the old method works → when it fails → so the new method is needed → evidence + author's endorsement.

For Q1 specifically, notice the core contrast the opening sets up -  known threatened  vs.  known secure . Keeping that contrast in view is exactly what lets you pick the analogous pair.

Answer: E

Recently, biologist Christopher Imboden proposeda strategy to correct

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

Recently, biologist Christopher Imboden proposeda strategy to correct

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