Although novels and poems are considered distinct literary forms, many authors have created hybrid works that incorporate elements of both....
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Although novels and poems are considered distinct literary forms, many authors have created hybrid works that incorporate elements of both. Bernardine Evaristo's The Emperor's Babe, ________ is a verse novel, a book-length narrative complete with characters and a plot but conveyed in short, crisp lines of poetry rather than prose.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
by contrast,
consequently,
secondly,
for example,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Although novels and poems are considered distinct literary forms," |
|
| "many authors have created hybrid works that incorporate elements of both." |
|
| "Bernardine Evaristo's The Emperor's Babe," |
|
| "is a verse novel, a book-length narrative complete with characters and a plot but conveyed in short, crisp lines of poetry rather than prose." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Authors create hybrid literary works that combine elements of both novels and poems, even though these are traditionally considered distinct forms.
Argument Flow: The passage starts by acknowledging the traditional distinction between novels and poems, then presents the contrasting reality that authors create hybrid works. It moves to provide a specific example (The Emperor's Babe) and then defines what this type of hybrid work (verse novel) actually is.
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
- Before the blank: Introduction of a specific work ("The Emperor's Babe")
- After the blank: Definition/explanation of what this work is (a verse novel)
- The relationship needed is one where "The Emperor's Babe" serves as a specific instance of the hybrid works mentioned in the first sentence
- The transition should signal that we're about to give a concrete example of the concept just introduced
by contrast,
"By contrast"
✗ Incorrect
- This signals opposition or difference
- The Emperor's Babe isn't contrasting with hybrid works - it IS a hybrid work
consequently,
"Consequently"
✗ Incorrect
- This signals cause and effect
- There's no causal relationship here - The Emperor's Babe wasn't created as a result of the general statement about hybrids
secondly,
"Secondly"
✗ Incorrect
- This implies we're listing multiple points in sequence
- There's no "first" point established, and we're not making a second argument
for example,
"For example"
✓ Correct
- This signals that what follows illustrates the preceding claim
- Perfect fit: The Emperor's Babe exemplifies the "hybrid works" mentioned in sentence one