GMAT Focus Edition — Reading Comprehension: Short Passages

Question 1

Passage: Coral reefs, though occupying less than one percent of the ocean floor, support roughly a quarter of all known marine species. This disproportionate biodiversity arises from the reef's complex physical structure, which creates countless microhabitats -- crevices, overhangs, and open sand patches -- each suited to different organisms. Coastal engineers have recently begun designing artificial reef structures that mimic this complexity, in the hope of accelerating the recovery of degraded reef ecosystems. Question: According to the passage, why do coral reefs support so many species relative to their size?

• A) They are located in warm tropical waters.
• B) They are protected by international conservation laws.
• C) Their complex structure creates many distinct microhabitats.
• D) They have existed for millions of years.

Question 2

Passage: In the early twentieth century, many economists assumed that consumer decisions were driven purely by rational calculations of self-interest. Behavioral economics has since challenged this assumption, demonstrating through experiments that people often rely on mental shortcuts, are influenced by how choices are framed, and place greater weight on avoiding losses than on securing equivalent gains. These findings have reshaped fields ranging from public policy to marketing. Question: What is the primary purpose of this passage?

• A) To argue that early twentieth-century economists were incompetent.
• B) To describe how behavioral economics has revised earlier assumptions about rational consumer decision-making.
• C) To explain the history of marketing techniques.
• D) To criticize modern public policy.

Question 3

Passage: In the early twentieth century, many economists assumed that consumer decisions were driven purely by rational calculations of self-interest. Behavioral economics has since challenged this assumption, demonstrating through experiments that people often rely on mental shortcuts, are influenced by how choices are framed, and place greater weight on avoiding losses than on securing equivalent gains. These findings have reshaped fields ranging from public policy to marketing. Question: Based on the passage, it is reasonable to infer that marketers who understand behavioral economics might do which of the following?

• A) Ignore how their offers are framed to consumers.
• B) Frame offers in ways that account for consumers' sensitivity to potential losses.
• C) Assume all consumers act with perfect rationality.
• D) Avoid using any psychological research in their strategies.

Question 4

Passage: Coral reefs, though occupying less than one percent of the ocean floor, support roughly a quarter of all known marine species. This disproportionate biodiversity arises from the reef's complex physical structure, which creates countless microhabitats -- crevices, overhangs, and open sand patches -- each suited to different organisms. Coastal engineers have recently begun designing artificial reef structures that mimic this complexity, in the hope of accelerating the recovery of degraded reef ecosystems. Question: It can be inferred from the passage that artificial reef designers believe which of the following?

• A) Structural complexity plays an important role in supporting biodiversity.
• B) Artificial reefs will completely replace natural reefs within a decade.
• C) Marine species prefer artificial structures to natural ones.
• D) Coastal engineering is more important than marine biology.

Question 5

Passage: In the early twentieth century, many economists assumed that consumer decisions were driven purely by rational calculations of self-interest. Behavioral economics has since challenged this assumption, demonstrating through experiments that people often rely on mental shortcuts, are influenced by how choices are framed, and place greater weight on avoiding losses than on securing equivalent gains. These findings have reshaped fields ranging from public policy to marketing. Question: According to the passage, which of the following is a finding of behavioral economics?

• A) Consumers always act in their own rational self-interest.
• B) People weigh potential losses more heavily than equivalent potential gains.
• C) Marketing has no influence on consumer behavior.
• D) Public policy has not been affected by economic research.

Question 6

Passage: Coral reefs, though occupying less than one percent of the ocean floor, support roughly a quarter of all known marine species. This disproportionate biodiversity arises from the reef's complex physical structure, which creates countless microhabitats -- crevices, overhangs, and open sand patches -- each suited to different organisms. Coastal engineers have recently begun designing artificial reef structures that mimic this complexity, in the hope of accelerating the recovery of degraded reef ecosystems. Question: What is the main idea of the passage?

• A) Artificial reefs are more effective than natural reefs at supporting marine life.
• B) Coral reefs support an outsized share of marine biodiversity due to their structural complexity, which has inspired artificial reef designs.
• C) Marine species are declining due to coastal engineering projects.
• D) Coral reefs cover most of the ocean floor.