For each task of a 20-week project, the chart shows the time interval, in weeks, of that task. For example,...
GMAT Graphics Interpretation : (GI) Questions
For each task of a 20-week project, the chart shows the time interval, in weeks, of that task. For example, Task K starts at the beginning of Week 12 and is completed at the end of Week 14.
Based on the information provided, select from each drop-down menu the option that creates the most accurate statement.
Owning The Dataset
Table 1: Text Analysis
| Text Component | Literal Content | Simple Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Project Duration | "20-week project" | The project lasts 20 weeks total. |
| Chart Purpose | "the chart shows the time interval, in weeks, of that task" | The chart displays which weeks each task is active. |
| Usage Example | "Task K starts at the beginning of Week 12 and is completed at the end of Week 14" | Tasks run from the start of one week to the end of the final week listed. |
Table 2: Chart Analysis
| Chart Element | Description | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Chart Type | Horizontal bar (Gantt-style) chart | Shows tasks over time; tasks as bars spanning weeks |
| X-axis | Labeled Weeks 1 to 20 | Each position represents a week in the project |
| Y-axis | Tasks labeled A through P (16 total) | Each bar is a different task; all tasks visible |
| Bar Overlaps | Multiple bars occupy the same weeks (e.g. A/B, D/E, O/P overlap) | Multiple tasks can occur at the same time |
| Gaps in Bars | Some weeks have no bar for certain rows (e.g., gap between J and K) | Not every week has maximum concurrency |
Key Insights
The dataset (text plus chart) illustrates a project schedule across 20 weeks and 16 tasks. Multiple tasks are often scheduled in parallel, as seen by overlapping bars for several tasks during the same weeks. There are periods of high concurrency (several bars stacked vertically for the same week), especially in the early and middle weeks, indicating peak workload. Some weeks have fewer or no concurrent tasks, such as gaps around the middle of the schedule. Determining the week with the highest number of simultaneous tasks requires counting the overlaps in each week, with the busiest periods likely between weeks 3-7.
Step-by-Step Solution
Question 1: Determining the Maximum Number of Simultaneous Activities
Complete Statement:
The greatest number of activities taking place simultaneously during the project is ______.
Breaking Down the Statement
- Statement Breakdown 1:
- Key Phrase: greatest number
- Meaning: We are being asked for the highest value found in the data set.
- Relation to Chart: We must look at all weeks and find which has the highest overlapping activities.
- Important Implications: A thorough scan of every week is needed to avoid missing the maximum.
- Key Phrase: greatest number
- Statement Breakdown 2:
- Key Phrase: activities taking place simultaneously
- Meaning: All tasks that are ongoing in the same week.
- Relation to Chart: This is visualized as gray bars aligning vertically in the same week column.
- Important Implications: For each week, we count all activities with a presence in that week.
- Key Phrase: activities taking place simultaneously
What is needed: The maximum number of project tasks that are active during the same week.
Solution:
- Condensed Solution Implementation:
Count the overlapping activities for each week and identify the peak. - Necessary Data points:
Active tasks in each week; specifically, how many tasks are active in each week from 1 to 20.- Calculations Estimations:
By scanning each week, Week 5 is found to have 8 activities active. Other weeks have fewer simultaneous activities. - Comparison to Answer Choices:
8 is an available answer and higher than any other week's count.
- Calculations Estimations:
FINAL ANSWER Blank 1: 8
Question 2: Identifying the Week with Maximum Simultaneous Activities
Complete Statement:
The greatest number of activities taking place simultaneously during the project is 8, in Week ______.
Breaking Down the Statement
- Statement Breakdown 1:
- Key Phrase: in Week
- Meaning: This identifies when the maximum concurrent activity occurs.
- Relation to Chart: We find which specific week has the highest count discovered in question 1.
- Key Phrase: in Week
- Statement Breakdown 2:
- Key Phrase: ****
- Meaning:
- Relation to Chart:
- Key Phrase: ****
What is needed: The week number where the most simultaneous activities take place.
Solution:
- Condensed Solution Implementation:
Locate the week corresponding to the maximum found for blank 1. - Necessary Data points:
Week number with 8 activities active (the answer from question 1).- Calculations Estimations:
8 concurrent activities occur in Week 5, as seen where all tasks A-H are active. - Comparison to Answer Choices:
5 matches the week with 8 activities, corresponding to a given answer option.
- Calculations Estimations:
FINAL ANSWER Blank 2: 5
Summary
By tallying the number of active project tasks each week, we find that the maximum simultaneous activities is 8, occurring in Week 5 where all tasks A through H overlap.
Question Independence Analysis
The two blanks are dependent: to find the week for blank 2, one must have already identified the number from blank 1. Blank 2's answer depends on the solution to blank 1.