A recent study examined the relationship between homework assignment length and student performance. Teachers who assigned shorter, focused homework t...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
A recent study examined the relationship between homework assignment length and student performance. Teachers who assigned shorter, focused homework tasks saw significant improvements in their students' test scores. _____ teachers who assigned lengthy, comprehensive homework experienced declining performance rates among their students.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
However,
For instance,
In particular,
As a result,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "A recent study examined the relationship between homework assignment length and student performance." |
|
| "Teachers who assigned shorter, focused homework tasks saw significant improvements in their students' test scores." |
|
| "teachers who assigned lengthy, comprehensive homework experienced declining performance rates among their students." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: A study found that shorter homework assignments improve student performance while longer assignments hurt it.
Argument Flow: The passage introduces a study, presents one finding about shorter homework improving performance, then contrasts this with the opposite finding about longer homework harming performance.
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
- We have two contrasting findings: shorter homework leads to better performance, while longer homework leads to worse performance
- These are opposite results, so we need a transition that shows contrast or opposition between these two findings
However,
✓ Correct
- "However" perfectly signals contrast between the two opposing findings
- Shows that longer homework's negative effects are different from shorter homework's positive effects
For instance,
✗ Incorrect
- "For instance" introduces examples or specific cases
- The second finding isn't an example of the first finding—it's the opposite result
In particular,
✗ Incorrect
- "In particular" emphasizes or specifies something within the same category
- We're not getting more specific about shorter homework—we're switching to longer homework
As a result,
✗ Incorrect
- "As a result" shows cause and effect
- Longer homework's poor results aren't caused by shorter homework's good results