Psychologists interested in classroom behaviors recently conducted a study in which four groups of students—Groups A through D—were recorded for...
GMAT Graphics Interpretation : (GI) Questions
Psychologists interested in classroom behaviors recently conducted a study in which four groups of students—Groups A through D—were recorded for several minutes while completing a series of puzzles. In reviewing the recording, the psychologists noted a number of occurrences of what they characterize as cooperative behaviors along with the time that each behavior was observed. The graph shows the distribution of these observations in the four groups of students, as well as the total number of occurrences of cooperative behaviors for each group. For instance, the graph shows that for Group A, exactly 1 occurrence of a cooperative behavior was observed within the first 10 seconds and exactly 4 were observed within the first 30 seconds.
Select from each drop-down menu the option that creates the most accurate statement, based on the information provided.
Owning The Dataset
Table 1: Text Analysis
| Text Component | Literal Content | Simple Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Subject of study | Psychologists interested in classroom behaviors | Researchers studying how students behave together in class |
| Study design | Four groups of students—Groups A through D—were recorded for several minutes while completing puzzles | 4 student groups were filmed while solving puzzles |
| What was measured | Psychologists noted occurrences of what they characterize as cooperative behaviors and when they happened | They counted and timed cooperative acts |
| Graph content | The graph shows the distribution of these observations in the four groups, plus total occurrences | Chart displays patterns and totals for each group's cooperation |
| Example data point | For Group A, exactly 1 cooperative behavior in first 10 sec, exactly 4 in first 30 sec | Group A: 1 act by 10s, 4 acts by 30s |
Table 2: Chart Analysis
| Chart Component | What's Shown | What This Tells Us |
|---|---|---|
| Chart type | Horizontal grids (heatmaps) for each group A-D | Each group's cooperation pattern shown as a timeline |
| X-axis | "Number of occurrences" (up to 16 at once) | Number of simultaneous cooperative acts at a given moment |
| Y-axis | "Time (seconds after beginning)" (0 to ~175s) | Tracks when cooperation happened during the session |
| Group A total | 52 occurrences | Group A cooperated the least overall |
| Group D total | 94 occurrences | Group D cooperated the most overall |
| Group A pattern | Most acts clustered near 150s | Group A's cooperation happened late, near end of the period |
| Group B pattern | High density of acts in first 50s, broad distribution | Group B started strong and consistent throughout time |
| Group C pattern | Two bursts: one around 50s, another around 125s | Group C had two main periods of cooperation |
| Group D pattern | Large cluster around 100-125s | Group D cooperated most in the middle of the session |
Key Insights
Group B shows high and early cooperation, with many behaviors in the first 50 seconds; Group D has the most total cooperative acts (94), while Group A has the fewest (52) and acts mainly late in the session. Each group's timing pattern differs: Group A acts late, Group B acts early and steadily, Group C shows two bursts, and Group D peaks in the middle. The dataset highlights distinct group dynamics and temporal patterns in cooperative classroom behavior.
Step-by-Step Solution
Question 1: Groups with Majority of Cooperative Behaviors Within First 50 Seconds
Complete Statement:
For exactly _____ of the 4 groups, the majority of the occurrences of cooperative behaviors were observed within the first 50 seconds of the observation.
Breaking Down the Statement
- Statement Breakdown 1:
- Key Phrase: majority of the occurrences
- Meaning: More than half of all cooperative behaviors recorded for a group.
- Relation to Chart: We must check, for each group, if the cumulative number of occurrences at 50 seconds is more than 50% of that group's total number of behaviors.
- Important Implications: We need both the total number and the 50-second cumulative value for each group to make this comparison.
- Statement Breakdown 2:
- Key Phrase: within the first 50 seconds
- Meaning: From the start of the observation up to (and including) 50 seconds.
- Relation to Chart: Check the y-axis value (number of behaviors) at the 50-second mark for each group.
- Important Implications: We only count occurrences up to 50 seconds, not after.
- What is needed: The number of groups for which more than half of all their cooperative behaviors occurred within the first 50 seconds.
Solution:
- Condensed Solution Implementation:
Read off the cumulative number at 50 seconds for each group, compare each to half its group's total; count groups where the 50-second value is greater. - Necessary Data points:
Cumulative number of behaviors at 50s and the total number of behaviors for each group.- Calculations Estimations: For most groups, the 50s cumulative is much less than half the group total. Only one group has more than half its total behaviors by 50s.
- Comparison to Answer Choices: Since only one group meets this criterion, the blank is '1'.
FINAL ANSWER Blank 1: 1
Question 2: Groups with More Than 15 Cooperative Behaviors Within First 50 Seconds
Complete Statement:
For exactly _____ of the 4 groups, the number of occurrences of cooperative behaviors within the first 50 seconds was greater than 15.
Breaking Down the Statement
- Statement Breakdown 1:
- Key Phrase: number of occurrences within the first 50 seconds
- Meaning: The tally of cooperative behaviors from the start through the 50-second point.
- Relation to Chart: Look for y-axis value at 50 seconds for each group's curve.
- Statement Breakdown 2:
- Key Phrase: was greater than 15
- Meaning: Did the number at 50 seconds surpass 15?
- Relation to Chart: Is the 50-second cumulative value above 15 for each group?
- What is needed: Count how many groups had over 15 cooperative behaviors by 50 seconds.
Solution:
- Condensed Solution Implementation:
Read the 50-second cumulative behaviors for each group; see if each is over 15; tally the groups that qualify. - Necessary Data points:
Cumulative count at 50 seconds for Groups A, B, C, D.- Calculations Estimations: Three groups have more than 15 cooperative behaviors by 50s. One group does not.
- Comparison to Answer Choices: Thus, the answer for this blank is '3'.
FINAL ANSWER Blank 2: 3
Summary
To answer these questions, examine the cumulative distribution curves at the 50-second mark for each group. For the first blank, only one group had most (more than half) of its behaviors by 50 seconds. For the second blank, three groups had more than 15 behaviors within 50 seconds. Reading values at specified time points and comparing to group-specific or fixed thresholds is key.
Question Independence Analysis
The questions are independent because one is about a group-specific majority, and one is about an absolute threshold (15 occurrences). Knowing the answer to one does not reveal the answer to the other.