Ancient parchment documents are particularly vulnerable to deterioration from humidity and temperature fluctuations in storage environments. Modern co...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Ancient parchment documents are particularly vulnerable to deterioration from humidity and temperature fluctuations in storage environments. Modern conservation labs have developed climate-controlled storage systems that maintain precise atmospheric conditions around fragile manuscripts. ______ these historical documents can survive for centuries without significant degradation, preserving invaluable cultural knowledge for future generations.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Consequently,
In contrast,
For example,
Otherwise,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Ancient parchment documents are particularly vulnerable to deterioration from humidity and temperature fluctuations in storage environments." |
|
| "Modern conservation labs have developed climate-controlled storage systems that maintain precise atmospheric conditions around fragile manuscripts." |
|
| [MISSING TRANSITION] |
|
| "these historical documents can survive for centuries without significant degradation, preserving invaluable cultural knowledge for future generations." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map: [PROBLEM] Ancient documents vulnerable to environmental damage → [SOLUTION] Climate-controlled storage systems developed → [MISSING CONNECTOR] → [POSITIVE RESULT] Documents survive centuries + preserve knowledge
Main Point: Climate-controlled storage systems solve the preservation problems of ancient documents by allowing them to survive for centuries.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes a problem-solution-result structure. It first identifies that ancient documents are vulnerable to environmental damage, then introduces the technological solution of climate-controlled storage, and concludes with the positive outcome that these systems enable long-term preservation.
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
- The transition must connect the solution (climate-controlled storage) to its result (documents surviving centuries)
- We need a word that shows cause-and-effect, since the storage systems directly enable the survival
- The right answer should show that the long-term survival is a direct result of the climate-controlled storage systems
Consequently,
✓ Correct
- Shows the cause-and-effect relationship between climate-controlled storage and document survival
- "Consequently" indicates that surviving for centuries is the direct result of the precise atmospheric conditions
- Matches our prethinking perfectly - connects solution to its logical outcome
In contrast,
✗ Incorrect
- "In contrast" signals opposition or difference between ideas
- Would incorrectly suggest that document survival opposes or contradicts the climate-controlled storage
- Creates an illogical relationship since survival is actually the goal of the storage systems
For example,
✗ Incorrect
- "For example" introduces an illustration or specific instance of a broader concept
- Would incorrectly suggest that centuries of survival is just one example of what climate control can do
- Misses the cause-and-effect relationship that the passage establishes
Otherwise,
✗ Incorrect
- "Otherwise" presents an alternative or what would happen if the previous condition were not met
- Would incorrectly suggest that survival happens when storage systems are not used
- Creates the opposite meaning from what the passage intends