A 2017 study of sign language learners tested the role of iconicity—the similarity of a sign to the thing it...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
A 2017 study of sign language learners tested the role of iconicity—the similarity of a sign to the thing it represents—in language acquisition. The study found that the greater the iconicity of a sign, the more likely it was to have been learned. ______ the correlation between acquisition and iconicity was lower than that between acquisition and another factor studied: sign frequency.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
In fact,
In other words,
Granted,
As a result,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "A 2017 study of sign language learners tested the role of iconicity—the similarity of a sign to the thing it represents—in language acquisition." |
|
| "The study found that the greater the iconicity of a sign, the more likely it was to have been learned." |
|
| [MISSING TRANSITION] |
|
| "the correlation between acquisition and iconicity was lower than that between acquisition and another factor studied: sign frequency." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: While iconicity does help with sign language learning, sign frequency is actually a stronger predictor of acquisition success.
Argument Flow: The passage introduces a study on iconicity in sign language learning, presents the positive finding that iconicity aids acquisition, then reveals a limitation to this finding by showing that frequency is an even stronger factor than iconicity in determining what gets learned.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Based on our passage analysis, we need a transition that acknowledges the positive finding about iconicity but then introduces information that limits or contrasts with that finding
- The sentence after the blank shows that while iconicity does correlate with learning, frequency actually correlates even more strongly
- So the right answer should acknowledge the validity of the iconicity finding while preparing us for a contrasting piece of information
In fact,
✗ Incorrect
- "In fact" would strengthen or emphasize the iconicity finding
- This doesn't set up the contrasting information about frequency being more important
In other words,
✗ Incorrect
- "In other words" would rephrase the same idea about iconicity
- The sentence after the blank isn't restating the iconicity finding - it's presenting different information
Granted,
✓ Correct
- "Granted" acknowledges that the iconicity finding is true but signals that there's a limitation or additional consideration coming
- Perfectly sets up the revelation that frequency is actually more important than iconicity
As a result,
✗ Incorrect
- "As a result" suggests the frequency information is a consequence of the iconicity finding
- But frequency being more important isn't caused by iconicity being important