Last visit was: 11 Jul 2025, 08:52 It is currently 11 Jul 2025, 08:52
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
555-605 Level|   Long Passage|   Science|                     
User avatar
RaviChandra
Joined: 02 Oct 2009
Last visit: 06 Feb 2023
Posts: 307
Own Kudos:
4,112
 [184]
Given Kudos: 412
GMAT 1: 530 Q47 V17
GMAT 2: 710 Q50 V36
WE:Business Development (Consulting)
Products:
GMAT 2: 710 Q50 V36
Posts: 307
Kudos: 4,112
 [184]
23
Kudos
Add Kudos
161
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
Poorvasha
Joined: 11 Jun 2017
Last visit: 06 Mar 2019
Posts: 55
Own Kudos:
114
 [33]
Given Kudos: 8
Posts: 55
Kudos: 114
 [33]
30
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
GMATNinja
User avatar
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Last visit: 11 Jul 2025
Posts: 7,349
Own Kudos:
68,504
 [14]
Given Kudos: 1,964
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
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Posts: 7,349
Kudos: 68,504
 [14]
11
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
User avatar
TheMechanic
Joined: 19 Oct 2012
Last visit: 05 Jul 2018
Posts: 219
Own Kudos:
566
 [1]
Given Kudos: 103
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Operations
GMAT 1: 660 Q47 V35
GMAT 2: 710 Q50 V38
GPA: 3.81
WE:Information Technology (Computer Software)
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
sananoor
Kindly explain question 2 and question 6...

Question 2: Look at this line, read this closely
Jarvis' work has suggested that differences in growth rates may influence the length of time that an individual performs a task, regardless of its age


Question 6: Look at this line
Until recently, scientists did not know of a close vertebrate analogue to the extreme form of altruism observed in eusocial insects like ants and bees, whereby individuals cooperate, sometimes even sacrificing their own opportunities to survive and reproduce, for the good of others.

Hope this helps!? If it doesn't I will put more verbiage around this, but I think these pointers should suffice. :wink:
User avatar
Dkingdom
Joined: 13 Apr 2017
Last visit: 12 Mar 2021
Posts: 68
Own Kudos:
64
 [1]
Given Kudos: 30
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, International Business
GMAT 1: 660 Q40 V41
GPA: 3.4
WE:Engineering (Energy)
GMAT 1: 660 Q40 V41
Posts: 68
Kudos: 64
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
TheMechanic
sananoor
Kindly explain question 2 and question 6...

Question 2: Look at this line, read this closely
Jarvis' work has suggested that differences in growth rates may influence the length of time that an individual performs a task, regardless of its age


Question 6: Look at this line
Until recently, scientists did not know of a close vertebrate analogue to the extreme form of altruism observed in eusocial insects like ants and bees, whereby individuals cooperate, sometimes even sacrificing their own opportunities to survive and reproduce, for the good of others.

Hope this helps!? If it doesn't I will put more verbiage around this, but I think these pointers should suffice. :wink:

Hi TheMechanic
Why is the choice C in Q6 wrong?
Cooperative breeding has evolved many times in vertebrates, but unlike naked mole rats, most cooperatively breeding vertebrates (except the wild dog, Lycaon pictus) are dominated by a pair of breeders rather than by a single breeding female.

Doesn't the sentence mentioned above reflect the fact stated in option C?
(C) Among naked mole rats, many males are permitted to breed with a single dominant female.
avatar
gabesc87
Joined: 20 Apr 2014
Last visit: 22 Apr 2018
Posts: 2
Given Kudos: 5
Posts: 2
Kudos: 0
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi,

Not getting why 3 is not D: it's always talking about one queen mainly. I though about B but the passage states that "in naked mole rat colonies, the performance of tasks are determined by reproductive status, body size, and perhaps age" but not body shape.

And in 7, where is the author qualifying?
User avatar
Poorvasha
Joined: 11 Jun 2017
Last visit: 06 Mar 2019
Posts: 55
Own Kudos:
114
 [3]
Given Kudos: 8
Posts: 55
Kudos: 114
 [3]
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
gabesc87
Hi,

Not getting why 3 is not D: it's always talking about one queen mainly. I though about B but the passage states that "in naked mole rat colonies, the performance of tasks are determined by reproductive status, body size, and perhaps age" but not body shape.

And in 7, where is the author qualifying?

Hi gabesc87,

For Question 3: Option B says "In naked mole rat colonies, the performance of tasks is less rigidly determined by body shape". To evaluate this focus on the below to sentences of the passage.:
1. Eusocial insect societies have rigid caste systems, each insect's role being defined by its behavior, body shape, and physiology
2. In naked mole rat societies, on the other hand, differences in behavior are related primarily to reproductive status (reproduction being limited to the queen and a few males), body size, and perhaps age
This implies that eusocial insects have more rigid cast systems and their role is defined by 3 factors including body shape. In naked mole rat, on the other hand, differences in behavior is related PRIMARILY to reproductive status. Body size, age etc are secondary. So, since body shape is a rigid and primary factor for eusocial insects and since, it is a secondary factor for naked mole rats, this automatically implies body shape as a factor is less rigid in mole rats.. Hence, B is correct.

(D) In eusocial insect societies, reproduction is limited to a single female. - No where is this stated in the passage.

Question 7: C: "qualify the extent to which two previously mentioned groups might be similar" - The two previously mentioned groups are the naked mole rat and the eusocial insects. The third para states to what extent are they similar. It states that: "Eusocial insect societies have rigid caste systems, each insect's role being defined by its behavior, body shape, and physiology. In naked mole rat societies, on the other hand, differences in behavior are related primarily to reproductive status (reproduction being limited to the queen and a few males), body size, and perhaps age." Thus, the author is talking about the extent to which these two groups are similar in characteristics. This is what the author is qualifying.

Hope this helps!
User avatar
srishti201996
Joined: 18 Jan 2017
Last visit: 09 Mar 2018
Posts: 43
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 59
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Entrepreneurship
GPA: 4
Posts: 43
Kudos: 36
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
9 minutes!
one incorrect!

Can someone help please?

question no 6!
Why is the choice C in Q6 wrong?

Cooperative breeding has evolved many times in vertebrates, but unlike naked mole rats, most cooperatively breeding vertebrates (except the wild dog, Lycaon pictus) are dominated by a pair of breeders rather than by a single breeding female.
In naked mole rat societies, on the other hand, differences in behavior are related primarily to reproductive status (reproduction being limited to the queen and a few males

Doesn't the sentence mentioned above reflect the fact stated in option C?
(C) Among naked mole rats, many males are permitted to breed with a single dominant female.
avatar
megakee9
Joined: 24 Feb 2018
Last visit: 16 Oct 2020
Posts: 14
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 4
Posts: 14
Kudos: 5
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
For Q.7, answer (C),( qualify the extent to which two previously mentioned groups might be similar)
So when it talks about "the extent to~ similar," this doesn't have to be about both groups being actually similar? Maybe just think it as a comparison concept?
I first excluded this because the paragraph mainly talks about the differences, not similarities
avatar
guptakashish02
Joined: 28 May 2018
Last visit: 28 Jul 2019
Posts: 58
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 77
Posts: 58
Kudos: 26
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi ,
In Q6
We have given that "such a vertebrate society(which exhibits altruism) may exist among underground colonies of the highly social rodent Heterocephalus glaber, the naked mole rat. "
So as in A , i feel like its too extreme that they always exhibits.
Please correct me if i m wrong
User avatar
Mo2men
Joined: 26 Mar 2013
Last visit: 09 May 2023
Posts: 2,443
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 641
Concentration: Operations, Strategy
Schools: Erasmus (II)
Products:
Schools: Erasmus (II)
Posts: 2,443
Kudos: 1,438
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Dear GMATNinja
6. According to the passage, naked mole rat colonies may differ from all other known vertebrate groups in which of the following ways?

(A) Naked mole rats exhibit an extreme form of altruism.

(B) Naked mole rats are cooperative breeders.

(C) Among naked mole rats, many males are permitted to breed with a single dominant female.

(D) Among naked mole rats, different tasks are performed at different times in an individual's life.

(E) Among naked mole rats, fighting results in the selection of a breeding female.

In question 6, Can you shed light why choice D & E are wrong?
User avatar
GMATNinja
User avatar
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Last visit: 11 Jul 2025
Posts: 7,349
Own Kudos:
68,504
 [12]
Given Kudos: 1,964
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
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Posts: 7,349
Kudos: 68,504
 [12]
9
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Mo2men
Dear GMATNinja
6. According to the passage, naked mole rat colonies may differ from all other known vertebrate groups in which of the following ways?

(A) Naked mole rats exhibit an extreme form of altruism.

(B) Naked mole rats are cooperative breeders.

(C) Among naked mole rats, many males are permitted to breed with a single dominant female.

(D) Among naked mole rats, different tasks are performed at different times in an individual's life.

(E) Among naked mole rats, fighting results in the selection of a breeding female.

In question 6, Can you shed light why choice D & E are wrong?
Question #6 asks how naked mole rats (NMR) differ from "all other known vertebrate groups." So, we are looking for something about naked mole rats that is completely unique to NMRs when compared to all other known vertebrate species.

Let's look first at (D):
Quote:
(D) Among naked mole rats, different tasks are performed at different times in an individual's life.
In the third paragraph, the author states that "in naked mole rat societies, on the other hand, differences in behavior are related primarily to reproductive status... body size, and perhaps age." He/she then goes on to explain that the size of a particular NMR is a better indicator of what tasks it will complete than is its age -- the NMR's growth rate influences the time they stay in a given task, "regardless of age."

So, at best the information in (D) is only partially true for NMR's. As stated above, we also need proof that NMRs are the only known vertebrates that exhibit the behavior in question. There is simply no evidence in the passage that this is the case for (D). In the last paragraph, we learn that "the division of labor within social groups is less pronounced among other vertebrates than among naked mole rats," but the author doesn't elaborate on how other vertebrates divide their labor. They could split up tasks based on age, in which case (D) would not be unique to NMRs. For this reason, (D) is out.

Now take a look at (E):
Quote:
(E) Among naked mole rats, fighting results in the selection of a breeding female.

Again, we need to prove that this is a unique attribute of NMRs among all known vertebrate groups.

In the last paragraph, the author states that "most cooperatively breeding vertebrates (except the wild dog, Lycaon pictus) are dominated by a pair of breeders rather than by a single breeding female." These cooperatively breeding species must somehow choose which female gets to breed. The passage doesn't tell us how this decision is made, so we cannot be sure that they do not fight to determine which female becomes the breeder. In addition, we have no idea what is going on with the Lycaon pictus -- maybe they fight to choose a single breeding female, or maybe they do not. Because we do not have this information, we cannot say that NMR's differ from all other vertebrate groups in this way. (E) is out.

Compare this to (A):
Quote:
(A) Naked mole rats exhibit an extreme form of altruism.
The evidence for this answer choice is found in the first paragraph: "Until recently, scientists did not know of a close vertebrate analogue to the extreme form of altruism observed in eusocial insects like ants and bees... However, such a vertebrate society may exist among underground colonies of the highly social rodent Heterocephalus glaber, the naked mole rat."

Here, we learn that scientists did not know of any vertebrates showing an "extreme form of altruism" until they studied NMRs. From this, we can conclude that NMRs are the only known vertebrate group to exhibit this behavior. (A) is the correct answer.

I hope that helps!
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Skywalker18
All correct except Q2(misread) in 13 mins 30 seconds , including 5 mins to read.

Skywalker18,
can u kindly explain question no 2- I thought the answer is size.

Larger nonbreeders are active in defending the colony and perhaps in removing dirt from the tunnels. Jarvis' work has suggested that differences in growth rates may influence the length of time that an individual performs a task, regardless of its age.

According to my understanding,Jarvis did not agree that the large size is the reason for large non breeders to work. It's the growth rate that matters.
User avatar
Skywalker18
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 08 Dec 2013
Last visit: 15 Nov 2023
Posts: 2,052
Own Kudos:
9,684
 [4]
Given Kudos: 171
Status:Greatness begins beyond your comfort zone
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Strategy
GPA: 3.2
WE:Information Technology (Consulting)
Products:
Posts: 2,052
Kudos: 9,684
 [4]
4
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
sunny91
Skywalker18
All correct except Q2(misread) in 13 mins 30 seconds , including 5 mins to read.

Skywalker18,
can u kindly explain question no 2- I thought the answer is size.

Larger nonbreeders are active in defending the colony and perhaps in removing dirt from the tunnels. Jarvis' work has suggested that differences in growth rates may influence the length of time that an individual performs a task, regardless of its age.

According to my understanding,Jarvis did not agree that the large size is the reason for large non breeders to work. It's the growth rate that matters.

Hi sunny91,
2. The passage suggests that Jarvis' work has called into question which of the following explanatory variables for naked mole rat behavior?

Eusocial insect societies have rigid caste systems, each insect's role being defined by its behavior, body shape, and physiology. In naked mole rat societies, on the other hand, differences in behavior are related primarily to reproductive status (reproduction being limited to the queen and a few males), body size, and perhaps age. --> age is one of the factors in naked mole rat societies

Jarvis' work has suggested that differences in growth rates may influence the length of time that an individual performs a task, regardless of its age. ---> As per Jarvis, age is not a factor that influences differences in behavior in Naked mole rat societies
User avatar
himanshurajawat
Joined: 05 Aug 2018
Last visit: 11 Jan 2021
Posts: 32
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 138
Posts: 32
Kudos: 13
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
In Q6. why is A correct?
The passage states that "Until recently, scientists did not know of a close vertebrate analogue to the extreme form of altruism observed in eusocial insects like ants and bees... However, such a vertebrate society may exist among underground colonies of the highly social rodent Heterocephalus glaber, the naked mole rat."
If ants and bees already diplay extreme form of altruism, how can naked mole rats be different from them in this respect?

SajjadAhmad u1983 workout GMATNinja GMATNinjaTwo Gnpth Bunuel VeritasKarishma
User avatar
KarishmaB
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Last visit: 10 Jul 2025
Posts: 16,101
Own Kudos:
74,260
 [2]
Given Kudos: 475
Location: Pune, India
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 16,101
Kudos: 74,260
 [2]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
himanshurajawat
In Q6. why is A correct?
The passage states that "Until recently, scientists did not know of a close vertebrate analogue to the extreme form of altruism observed in eusocial insects like ants and bees... However, such a vertebrate society may exist among underground colonies of the highly social rodent Heterocephalus glaber, the naked mole rat."
If ants and bees already diplay extreme form of altruism, how can naked mole rats be different from them in this respect?

SajjadAhmad u1983 workout GMATNinja GMATNinjaTwo Gnpth Bunuel VeritasKarishma

We need them to be different from all other 'vertebrate' groups.

Until recently, scientists did not know of a close vertebrate analogue to the extreme form of altruism observed in eusocial insects like ants and bees...

They knew of insects with extreme form of altruism but not a vertebrate. Then they found naked mole rat.
User avatar
robu1
Joined: 08 Jul 2017
Last visit: 19 Apr 2021
Posts: 94
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 214
GMAT 1: 620 Q48 V29
GMAT 1: 620 Q48 V29
Posts: 94
Kudos: 65
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
TheMechanic
sananoor
Kindly explain question 2 and question 6...

Question 2: Look at this line, read this closely
Jarvis' work has suggested that differences in growth rates may influence the length of time that an individual performs a task, regardless of its age


Question 6: Look at this line
Until recently, scientists did not know of a close vertebrate analogue to the extreme form of altruism observed in eusocial insects like ants and bees, whereby individuals cooperate, sometimes even sacrificing their own opportunities to survive and reproduce, for the good of others.

Hope this helps!? If it doesn't I will put more verbiage around this, but I think these pointers should suffice. :wink:


kindly explain why not D for quest 6.?
avatar
AG95
Joined: 15 Jun 2019
Last visit: 21 May 2022
Posts: 32
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 306
Location: United States (PA)
Posts: 32
Kudos: 10
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi everyone, can someone tell why option D is incorrect in question 5
User avatar
mSKR
Joined: 14 Aug 2019
Last visit: 10 Mar 2024
Posts: 1,310
Own Kudos:
929
 [1]
Given Kudos: 381
Location: Hong Kong
Concentration: Strategy, Marketing
GMAT 1: 650 Q49 V29
GPA: 3.81
GMAT 1: 650 Q49 V29
Posts: 1,310
Kudos: 929
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
AG95
Hi everyone, can someone tell why option D is incorrect in question 5

Cooperative breeding has evolved many times in vertebrates, but unlike naked mole rats, most cooperatively breeding vertebrates (except the wild dog, Lycaon pictus) are dominated by a pair of breeders rather than by a single breeding female.


most cooperatively breeding vertebrates are dominated by a pair of breeders
wild dog, Lycaon pictus are NOT dominated dominated by a pair of breeders
( Maybe : wild dog, Lycaon pictus are dominated by a a single breeding female)

5. The passage supports which of the following inferences about breeding among Lycaon pictus?

(A) The largest female in the social group does not maintain reproductive status by means of behavioral control.
NOT MENTIONED
(B) An individual's ability to breed is related primarily to its rate of growth.
NOT MENTIONED
(C) Breeding is the only task performed by the breeding female.
NOT MENTIONED- We don't know about breeding females in Lycaon pictus
(D) Breeding in the social group is not cooperative.
NOT MENTIONED- Nothing is mentioned about their group
(E) Breeding is not dominated by a single pair of dogs
wild dog, Lycaon pictus are NOT dominated dominated by a pair of breeders

This was more like SC question, rather than RC question:)
User avatar
arya251294
Joined: 03 Jan 2019
Last visit: 16 Mar 2024
Posts: 190
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 368
GMAT 1: 700 Q49 V36
GMAT 1: 700 Q49 V36
Posts: 190
Kudos: 54
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
GMATNinja Hi there,

Sorry to bother you, but, I believe in Q6 -

6. According to the passage, naked mole rat colonies may differ from all other known vertebrate groups in which of the following ways?

(A) Naked mole rats exhibit an extreme form of altruism.

(B) Naked mole rats are cooperative breeders.

(C) Among naked mole rats, many males are permitted to breed with a single dominant female.

(D) Among naked mole rats, different tasks are performed at different times in an individual's life.

(E) Among naked mole rats, fighting results in the selection of a breeding female.


As you said, we have to look for something which talks about the unique characteristic of NMRs why can't option (C) serve to be the right one? As nowhere it is mentioned that apart from NMRs, other vertebrates also had multiple males breeding with single female.


Also for Q7 -


7. One function of the third paragraph of the passage is to

(A) state a conclusion about facts presented in an earlier paragraph

(B) introduce information that is contradicted by information in the fourth paragraph

(C) qualify the extent to which two previously mentioned groups might be similar

(D) show the chain of reasoning that led to the conclusions of a specific study

(E) demonstrate that of three explanatory factors offered, two may be of equal significance

IMO the third para shows the difference between the 2 groups and not the similarities. Please help.
 1   2   3   
Moderators:
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7349 posts
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
235 posts
GRE Forum Moderator
15828 posts