The best-known method of classifying living things, Linnaean taxonomy,

Question

The best-known method of classifying living things, Linnaean taxonomy, denotes species using a hierarchical structure, starting at the general level of kingdom, then phyla, order, family, genus, and, finally, species. Remarkably, Linnaeus’s system has proven robust, despite the fact that he devised it in the mid-1700s, long before Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution drastically altered our understanding of the natural world. That doesn’t mean, however, that Linnaean taxonomy has gone unchanged in the subsequent 250 years. Most oddly, Linnaeus began with three kingdoms, one each for plants, animals, and minerals. Not only has the mineral grouping been eliminated, but several new kingdoms—for bacteria, protozoans, and fungi— have been added. More seriously, the taxonomy has required vast numbers of additional levels of classification, especially in species-rich fields such as entomology. Even in zoology, the categories of “subspecies” and “morph” further delineate subgroups of individual species, and cladistics— the classification of species based on evolutionary ancestry— has brought about a parallel hierarchy that sometimes, but certainly not always, overlaps with the traditional Linnaean divisions. As scientists in these fields understand finer-grained distinctions between groups of living things, this 250-year-old methodology is likely to be stretched even further.    1 
 1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

(A) describe a scientific model and the ways it has accommodated advances in its field
(B) discuss ways of updating a classification structure that has remained in use for too long
(C) explain the process by which a taxonomy is expanded to re‡ect new scientific discoveries
(D) detail the adjustments made to a traditional hierarchy
(E) report the current state of a taxonomy commonly used in the fields of entomology and zoology

2 
 2. According to the passage, cladistics differs from Linnaean taxonomy in that cladistics

(A) allows for more subtle distinctions between categories of beings
(B) rarely classifies species in the same hierarchies that Linnaean taxonomy does
(C) does not distinguish between the levels of “subspecies” and “morph”
(D) includes several new kingdoms classifying life that Linnaeus was not aware of
(E) represents hierarchies based on evolutionary relationships

3 
 3. It can be inferred that the author describes Linnaean taxonomy as “robust” in order to emphasize which of the following?

(A) The number of levels Linnaeus included in his initial classification system
(B) The mistake Linnaeus made in considering minerals one of his three kingdoms
(C) The difference in scientific understanding of species relationships before and after the discovery of the theory of evolution
(D) The small number of scientific claims made in the mid-1700s that are still in use today
(E) The many ways in which the classification system has had to be altered to accommodate scientific discoveries in the 250 years since

4 
 4. The passage suggests which of the following about entomology?

(A) Since the Linnaean kingdoms do not include “insect life,” entomologists must classify species using a parallel system.
(B) It caused the addition of the category of “subspecies” to the Linnaean system.
(C) 250 years ago, it was not even considered by Linnaeus when he devised his initial taxonomy.
(D) It is a field that is better understood by relying on cladistics-based taxonomies.
(E) The demands of classifying living beings within the field have placed particular stress on the Linnaean system.

5 
 5. Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?

(A) A method is described, challenges to that method are detailed, and an alternative is offered.
(B) Competing methods are presented, and challenges are offered that suggest the need for a third method.
(C) A traditional approach is described, supported with specific evidence, and then reaffirmed.
(D) Evidence is offered to support the position that a centuries-old method ought to be replaced.
(E) After alternative approaches are described, a reconciliation is attempted but not successful.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

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Official Explanation

4. The passage suggests which of the following about entomology?

Explanation

Here’s the relevant sentence:  “More seriously, the taxonomy has required vast numbers of additional levels of classification, especially in species-rich fields such as entomology.”  In other words, the uniqueness of entomology is that it covers so many species, and that number of species has led to new levels of classification even more so than other fields.  Choice (E)  represents that quite well— the number of species have placed stress on a system that was originally designed for a smaller number of known species.

(A)  is inaccurate, as insects might be a sub-category of one of the kingdoms.

(B)  is true of zoology, not entomology.

(C)  may be true, but the passage doesn’t speak to that.

(D)  is unsupported, as the passage doesn’t tell us much about where cladistics might be better than the traditional taxonomy.

Answer: E

Carcass · Answer

Remarkably, Linnaeus’s system  has proven robust ,  despite the fact that he devised it  in the mid-1700s,  long before   Charles Darwin’s    theory of evolution drastically altered our understanding of the natural world.

(A) The  number of levels  Linnaeus included in his initial classification system
wrong
(B) The mistake Linnaeus made  in considering minerals  one of his three kingdoms
wrong
(C) The difference in scientific understanding of species relationships before and after the discovery of the theory of evolution
Correct. what the sentence above tells us
(D)  The small number of scientific claims made in the mid-1700s that are still in use today 
not really addressed in the passage
(E)  The many ways in which the classification system has had to be altered to accommodate scientific discoveries in the 250 years since 
wrong / The passage says that the taxonomy in 250 had changes NOT specifically the accommodations

regards

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

5. Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?

Explanation

The passage doesn’t have an argument; it is purely explanatory. What it explains is an old system (Linnaean taxonomy), the adjustments that have been made to it, and one di¤ering system (cladistics).  Choice (A)  represents those three aspects.

(B)  is wrong, as there is no suggestion that a third method is needed.

(C)  is incorrect, since the traditional approach isn’t really supported with evidence; the passage simply says it has held up.

(D)  misrepresents the passage as arguing for something, which is a very common GMAT wrong answer type.

(E)  is wrong, as there is no reconciliation attempted between Linnaean taxonomy and cladistics.

Answer: A

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

3. It can be inferred that the author describes Linnaean taxonomy as “robust” in order to emphasize which of the following?

Explanation

The author uses the word  “remarkably”  before pointing out that the taxonomy has remained e¤ective (“proven robust”), suggesting that it is something of a surprise. The reason given follows the comma in that sentence:  “long before Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution drastically altered our understanding of the natural world.”

Choice (C)  represents that reason why the robustness of the taxonomy is remarkable. One might defend  (D) , as well, but it is not as well supported. While we’re told that Darwin’s theory  “drastically altered”  scientific knowledge (and thus, taxonomies might be expected to change), we aren’t told what fraction of claims made in the mid-1700s have stood the test of time.  Choice (C)  is correct.

Answer: C

VerbalBot · Answer

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The best-known method of classifying living things, Linnaean taxonomy,

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The best-known method of classifying living things, Linnaean taxonomy,

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