Researcher: We conducted a survey to examine relationships between seasonal allergies, a sedentary lifestyle, daytime fatigue, and taking sick leave...
GMAT Two Part Analysis : (TPA) Questions
Researcher: We conducted a survey to examine relationships between seasonal allergies, a sedentary lifestyle, daytime fatigue, and taking sick leave from work.
Among all respondents:
- Most reported taking sick leave from work in the previous year.
- Most reported seasonal allergies.
Among those who reported seasonal allergies:
- Most reported a sedentary lifestyle.
- Most did not report any daytime fatigue.
Statement to be completed: According to the researcher, fewer than half of the survey respondents who reported 1 also reported 2. Based on the information provided, select for 1 and for 2 the options that complete the above statement most accurately. Make only two selections, one in each column.
Phase 1: Owning the Dataset
Argument Analysis Table
| Passage Statement | Analysis & Implications |
| "Most reported taking sick leave from work in the previous year" |
|
| "Most reported seasonal allergies" |
|
| "Among those who reported seasonal allergies: Most reported a sedentary lifestyle" |
|
| "Among those who reported seasonal allergies: Most did not report any daytime fatigue" |
|
Key Patterns Identified
- We have specific information about subgroups (those with allergies)
- The last fact gives us a "fewer than half" relationship: allergy sufferers → daytime fatigue
- We lack specific overlap data for other combinations
Phase 2: Question Analysis & Prethinking
Understanding the Two-Part Structure
- Part 1 Focus: Identify a group of respondents
- Part 2 Focus: Identify what fewer than half of that group reported
- Relationship: We need X and Y where: Among those reporting X, fewer than half also reported Y
Valid Inferences from Our Facts
- Primary Inference: Among seasonal allergy sufferers, fewer than half reported daytime fatigue (directly stated)
- What We Cannot Infer: Relationships between sick leave and other factors (no data)
- Boundary Check: We cannot assume relationships not explicitly stated
Phase 3: Answer Choice Evaluation
Let's evaluate each potential combination:
Checking Key Combinations:
If Part 1 = "seasonal allergies" and Part 2 = "daytime fatigue":
- Creates: "Fewer than half of respondents who reported seasonal allergies also reported daytime fatigue"
- Fact Support: Directly stated - "Most did not report any daytime fatigue"
- Validity: ✓ Perfect match - this must be true
If Part 1 = "taking sick leave" and Part 2 = any option:
- We have no data about what portion of sick leave takers reported other conditions
- Validity: ✗ Cannot determine
If Part 1 = "a sedentary lifestyle" and Part 2 = any option:
- We only know about sedentary lifestyle within the allergy group
- Validity: ✗ Insufficient information
Answer Selection
- Part 1: "seasonal allergies" - This identifies our reference group
- Part 2: "daytime fatigue" - This is what fewer than half of the allergy group reported
Verification
The passage explicitly states that among seasonal allergy sufferers, "most did not report any daytime fatigue." If most (\(>50\%\)) did NOT report fatigue, then fewer than half (\(<50\%\)) DID report fatigue. This perfectly completes our statement.
Final Answer
Part 1: seasonal allergies
Part 2: daytime fatigue