Botanist Barbara McClintock's groundbreaking research on genetic transposition initially appeared to follow conventional laboratory methods, using tra...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Botanist Barbara McClintock's groundbreaking research on genetic transposition initially appeared to follow conventional laboratory methods, using traditional corn breeding techniques and standard microscopic observation. Her 1940s experiments seemed to employ the same systematic approaches that plant geneticists had used for decades. _______ McClintock was actually developing revolutionary insights about mobile genetic elements that would fundamentally challenge the prevailing understanding of heredity.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Nonetheless,
Therefore,
Furthermore,
Consequently,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Botanist Barbara McClintock's groundbreaking research on genetic transposition initially appeared to follow conventional laboratory methods, using traditional corn breeding techniques and standard microscopic observation." |
|
| "Her 1940s experiments seemed to employ the same systematic approaches that plant geneticists had used for decades." |
|
| "McClintock was actually developing revolutionary insights about mobile genetic elements that would fundamentally challenge the prevailing understanding of heredity." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Barbara McClintock's research appeared to use conventional methods but was actually developing revolutionary insights that would challenge established genetic understanding.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes that McClintock's research initially seemed to follow traditional approaches used by geneticists for decades. However, the reality was that she was developing groundbreaking insights about mobile genetic elements that would fundamentally challenge how scientists understood heredity.
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
- Looking at our passage analysis, we can see that everything before the blank describes McClintock's work as appearing conventional and traditional
- But what comes after the blank reveals that her work was "actually developing revolutionary insights" that would "fundamentally challenge" existing understanding
- This creates a clear contrast between appearance and reality
- So the right answer should signal contrast or contradiction, showing that despite the conventional appearance, the reality was quite different
Nonetheless,
- "Nonetheless" signals contrast despite what was just stated
- Perfect for showing that despite appearing conventional, McClintock was actually doing revolutionary work
- Creates the logical relationship we identified: appearance vs. reality
Therefore,
- "Therefore" signals cause and effect or logical conclusion
- Would incorrectly suggest that because her work seemed conventional, she was developing revolutionary insights
- This doesn't make logical sense
Furthermore,
- "Furthermore" signals addition or continuation of the same idea
- Would suggest that developing revolutionary insights is another example of conventional work
- This contradicts the passage's intent to show contrast
Consequently,
- "Consequently" signals cause and effect
- Like "therefore," would incorrectly suggest her revolutionary work resulted from appearing conventional
- Creates an illogical causal relationship