The following excerpt from a fictitious science news report discusses a fictitious type of location called a morefa. For zoologists...
GMAT Two Part Analysis : (TPA) Questions
The following excerpt from a fictitious science news report discusses a fictitious type of location called a morefa. For zoologists studying the behavior of certain species of birds, the critical importance of observing the birds in those species' morefa during the annual breeding season is obvious. Such observation allows researchers to study not only the courtship displays of many different individuals within a species, but also the species' social hierarchy. Morever, since some species repeatedly return to the same morefa, researchers can study changes in group dynamics from year to year. The value of observing a morefa when the birds are not present, however -- such as prior to their arrival or after they have abandoned the area to establish their nests -- is only now becoming apparent.
Based on the definition of the imaginary word morefa that can be inferred from the previous paragraph, which of the following activities of a bird species must happen in a location for that location to be teh species' morefa, and which must NOT happen in a location for that location to be the species' morefa?
Phase 1: Owning the Dataset
Argument Analysis Table
| Passage Statement | Analysis & Implications |
|---|---|
| "For zoologists studying the behavior of certain species of birds, the critical importance of observing the birds in those species' morefa during the annual breeding season is obvious" |
|
| "Such observation allows researchers to study not only the courtship displays of many different individuals within a species, but also the species' social hierarchy" |
|
| "Moreover, since some species repeatedly return to the same morefa, researchers can study changes in group dynamics from year to year" |
|
| "[Birds] abandon the area to establish their nests" |
|
Key Patterns Identified
- Established Facts: Morefa is where birds gather for courtship/social activities during breeding season, then leave to nest elsewhere
- Relationships: Morefa serves pre-nesting social functions but is abandoned for actual nesting
- Boundaries: Not all behaviors happen in morefa; specifically, nesting is excluded
Phase 2: Question Analysis & Prethinking
Understanding Each Part
- Part 1 Focus: What MUST happen for a location to be a morefa?
- Part 2 Focus: What must NOT happen for a location to be a morefa?
- Relationship: These define the essential characteristics and boundaries of morefa
Valid Inferences (Prethinking)
- Must Happen: Multiple birds gathering (required for courtship displays and social hierarchy)
- Must NOT Happen: Nest establishment (explicitly stated they leave to nest)
Phase 3: Answer Choice Evaluation
Analyzing Each Option:
"Sleeping"
- What it claims: Birds sleep in the location
- Fact Support: No mention of sleeping in passage
- Logical Validity: Cannot infer either way
- Part Suitability: Neither part
"Occupying the location multiple times"
- What it claims: Repeated visits to location
- Fact Support: "Some species repeatedly return"
- Logical Validity: Only true for some, not all
- Part Suitability: Neither part (not universal)
"Establishing nests"
- What it claims: Birds build nests in location
- Fact Support: "abandon the area to establish their nests"
- Logical Validity: Clearly must NOT happen
- Part Suitability: Part 2 (Must NOT happen)
"Gathering together with members of their own species"
- What it claims: Multiple birds of same species congregate
- Fact Support: "many different individuals within a species" for courtship and hierarchy
- Logical Validity: Essential for morefa function
- Part Suitability: Part 1 (Must happen)
"Territorial competition with members of different species"
- What it claims: Inter-species conflicts occur
- Fact Support: No mention in passage
- Logical Validity: Cannot infer
- Part Suitability: Neither part
Final Answer Selection
- Part 1 (Must happen): Gathering together with members of their own species
- Part 2 (Must NOT happen): Establishing nests
These answers perfectly capture the essential nature of morefa: a social gathering place for breeding activities that is specifically NOT used for nesting.