At two weeks old, the time their critical socialization period begins, wolves can smell but cannot yet see or hear....
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
At two weeks old, the time their critical socialization period begins, wolves can smell but cannot yet see or hear. Domesticated dogs, ________ can see, hear, and smell by the end of two weeks. This relative lack of sensory input may help explain why wolves behave so differently around humans than dogs do: from a very young age, wolves are more wary and less exploratory.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "At two weeks old, the time their critical socialization period begins, wolves can smell but cannot yet see or hear." |
|
| [MISSING TRANSITION] |
|
| "can see, hear, and smell by the end of two weeks." |
|
| "This relative lack of sensory input may help explain why wolves behave so differently around humans than dogs do: from a very young age, wolves are more wary and less exploratory." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Early sensory development differences between wolves and dogs may explain their different behaviors around humans.
Argument Flow: The passage first establishes that wolves have limited sensory input during their critical socialization period, then presents contrasting information about dogs' full sensory capabilities, and finally connects these differences to behavioral outcomes.
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 need a connector that shows the relationship between wolves' limited senses and dogs' full senses
- The sentence before describes wolves having only smell (no sight/hearing)
- The sentence after describes dogs having all three senses
- This is clearly showing a difference or opposition between the two animals
- So the right answer should signal a contrast or difference
✗ Incorrect
- This connector suggests that what follows restates the same idea
- But dogs' full sensory abilities don't restate wolves' limited abilities—they're opposite
✗ Incorrect
- This connector introduces an example
- Dogs aren't an example of what was just said about wolves—they're doing something completely different
✓ Correct
- This connector perfectly signals the opposition between wolves' limited senses and dogs' full senses
- It matches our prethinking about needing to show difference/contrast
✗ Incorrect
- This connector suggests a cause-and-effect relationship
- Dogs' sensory abilities aren't a result of wolves' limitations—they're just different species with different development