Researchers studying how genes control animal

[NL]

Dear Ron,
I have difficulty with another question of the same passage:

The primary purpose of the passage is to
A. summarize findings in an area of research
B. discuss different perspectives on a scientific question
C. outline the major questions in a scientific discipline
D. illustrate the usefulness of investigating a research topic
E. reconcile differences between two definitions of a term


I think the main idea of the passage is: the author presented his opinion about difficulties in a research area. (one of the two difficulties is the difference in perspectives). Therefore, I had a hard time finding the answer.

What’s wrong with my summary?

[tim]

It sounds like you *did* find the answer! Re-read your post and the answer choices, and I think you'll see you've found a match.

[NL]

Thanks Tim,

The problem is that I didn’t bear this part "(one of the two difficulties is the difference in perspectives)" in my mind when checking the answer choices because it’s quite detail, not the main idea. (my memory is very limited)

Of course Ron’s going to say: white-white-white-white-gray --> I should choose a gray rather than find a black one. But in this case, it’s even not a gray, but a gray covered by a white.

Any backup method for a similar case?

[tim]

Upon further reflection you added that extra insight that got you to the right answer. You just need to do that while you're answering the question next time! To answer your question, no, there is no "backup method" for not noticing what you're supposed to the first time around.

[NL]

Good point, Tim!

I’m just curious: when you solved this question for the first time, did you see the answer that matched your prediction right away or you use POE (process of elimination)?

-----------Let’s be honest ----------

[RonPurewal]

i'm not tim, but i can't see how his answer would have any bearing on your strategy.

as long as you know that you should first look for your prediction, and then use process-of-elimination only if you don't find a match... you're good.

[tim]

Absolutely. Each person will have their own approach to CR questions, and you should find what works best for you!

[NL]

i'm not tim, but i can't see how his answer would have any bearing on your strategy.

as long as you know that you should first look for your prediction, and then use process-of-elimination only if you don't find a match... you're good.

Ehem… you’re a scary Master.

(If I say something, it’s to find something else I may not see now. Don’t get caught in some forms of words )

[NL]

What I want to find is: To make quick & accurate decision when doing a lot of questions, we may have to rely on something else. The so called systematic method is not always a good one for me. (using any thing a lot can make it automatic/mechanical-I’m a bad user)
It seems like GMAC tries to make GMAT closer to life by not letting us use one approach for all similar questions. (!?)

[NL]

Absolutely. Each person will have their own approach to CR questions, and you should find what works best for you!

Uh hum. They (students and even teachers) must have something in common, so one teacher can teach thousands of students. But let’s discuss further in airlines.
(Curious: are you (Tim&Ron) couple online? The 4 latest posts of yours mentioned Ron)

[RonPurewal]

It seems like GMAC tries to make GMAT closer to life by not letting us use one approach for all similar questions. (!?)

that ^^ is the main reason why this exam exists in the first place.

if the problems could be solved with some sort of algorithm, then the test would be useless. (you already have 15+ years of school grades, which mostly measure your ability to memorize things and/or use fixed algorithms. with such a mass af data already in existence, one more test would add zero value.)

[RonPurewal]

airlines.

airlines?

[NL]

that ^^ is the main reason why this exam exists in the first place.

That’s great. Could you explain how could “they”(including you) do that? What are general principles? Could you provide some examples?

[NL]

airlines?

Oh, I often take the seat 21B, next to Tim’s, on Southwest airlines.
But don’t be so curious. That’s our affair. Mmm.

[tim]

that ^^ is the main reason why this exam exists in the first place.

That’s great. Could you explain how could “they”(including you) do that? What are general principles? Could you provide some examples?

How they do what? This is a perfect example of a pronoun without an antecedent!