The graph refers to a captive population of animals. For each month of a consecutive 11-month period, it depicts the...
GMAT Graphics Interpretation : (GI) Questions
The graph refers to a captive population of animals. For each month of a consecutive 11-month period, it depicts the number of animals that died and the number of animals that were born. These were the only population changes; no animals joined the population from outside, and no animals (except those that died and were removed) left the population.
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 | Extracted Text | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Subject | captive population of animals | Population in a closed environment (e.g., zoo, sanctuary) |
| Time Frame | consecutive 11-month period | Data spans 11 months with no gaps |
| Data Presented | number of animals that died and number of animals that were born | Tracks births and deaths each month |
| Population Change Constraints | These were the only population changes; no animals joined the population | Only births and deaths affect population size; fully closed group |
| Exit Restriction | no animals (except those that died and were removed) left the population | Animals only leave by dying; no external removals |
Table 2: Chart Analysis
| Chart Feature | Details | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Chart Type | Line chart, two series: died (blue, filled) and born (black) | Comparison of deaths and births over 11 months |
| X-axis | Months 1–11 | Shows each month during the study |
| Y-axis | Number of animals (0 to 160, increments of 20) | Deaths reach up to 136, births up to 60 |
| 'Died' Data Series | Blue line, filled circles, 10–136 deaths per month | Deaths fluctuate, sometimes spike |
| 'Born' Data Series | Black line, open circles, 0–60 births per month | Births lower and steadier than deaths |
| Visual Relationship | Deaths line always above births, widest in months 2 and 4 | Deaths always exceed births; gap is sometimes large |
Key Insights
Deaths outnumbered births each month, leading to a steady population decline. Over 11 months, there were 635 deaths and 312 births (a net loss of 323 animals). Month 9 had zero births and low deaths, making it especially notable. Death counts were highly variable (from 10 to 136), while births stayed more stable (0 to 60 monthly). The largest gaps between deaths and births happened in months 2 and 4.
Step-by-Step Solution
Question 1: Final Population vs. Initial Population
Complete Statement:
At the end of the 11-month period, the number of animals in the population was [BLANK] the number of animals in the population at the beginning of the period.
Breaking Down the Statement
- Statement Breakdown 1:
- Key Phrase: At the end of the 11-month period
- Meaning: Considering the situation after all 11 months have passed.
- Relation to Chart: Requires looking at the changes over all months, not just a single month.
- Important Implications: Focus on the cumulative effect of all births and deaths tracked in the chart.
- Key Phrase: At the end of the 11-month period
- Statement Breakdown 2:
- Key Phrase: number of animals in the population
- Meaning: The total count of living animals in the group.
- Relation to Chart: Influenced only by the tracked births (increases) and deaths (decreases) shown in the chart.
- Important Implications: No immigration or emigration—population can only change by births or deaths.
- Key Phrase: number of animals in the population
- What is needed: Did the population increase, decrease, or stay the same after 11 months?
Solution:
- Condensed Solution Implementation:
Visually inspect the chart to compare the number of births and deaths each month. - Necessary Data points:
From the chart, the line for 'died' is always above the line for 'born' in every month.- Calculations Estimations:
Since deaths always exceed births, the total population decreases every month; no precise calculation is necessary. - Comparison to Answer Choices:
Because deaths always outnumber births, the final population must be less than the initial population.
- Calculations Estimations:
FINAL ANSWER Blank 1: less than
Question 2: Months with Net Population Increase
Complete Statement:
The monthly totals of births and deaths resulted in a net population increase in [BLANK] of the months.
Breaking Down the Statement
- Statement Breakdown 1:
- Key Phrase: monthly totals of births and deaths
- Meaning: Compare number of animals born and died within the same month.
- Relation to Chart: Look at each month's two data points in the chart.
- Key Phrase: monthly totals of births and deaths
- Statement Breakdown 2:
- Key Phrase: net population increase
- Meaning: A month where births exceeded deaths.
- Relation to Chart: Would be seen when the birth ('born') line is higher than the death ('died') line for a month.
- Key Phrase: net population increase
- What is needed: In how many months were there more births than deaths?
Solution:
- Condensed Solution Implementation:
Check each month on the chart to see if the 'born' line is ever above the 'died' line. - Necessary Data points:
The 'born' line is never above the 'died' line for any month.- Calculations Estimations:
There are zero months where births exceeded deaths. - Comparison to Answer Choices:
Since there are no months where births outnumber deaths, the answer is 'none'.
- Calculations Estimations:
FINAL ANSWER Blank 2: none
Summary
A quick visual comparison of the deaths and births lines in the chart shows that deaths always outnumber births each month, so the total population always decreases (less than at the end), and there are no months of net increase (answer: none).
Question Independence Analysis
The two blanks are independent: one asks about the total net change over the period (blank 1), the other about monthly changes (blank 2). You can answer each without needing the answer to the other.