By the early 1900s, many American cities faced severe transportation bottlenecks as horse-drawn vehicles clogged narrow streets designed for pedestria...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
By the early 1900s, many American cities faced severe transportation bottlenecks as horse-drawn vehicles clogged narrow streets designed for pedestrian traffic. ______ city planners began developing comprehensive street-widening projects to accommodate the growing number of automobiles entering urban areas. These infrastructure improvements transformed city layouts and established the foundation for modern urban transportation networks.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
However,
For instance,
Consequently,
In contrast,
Formatted Solution
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'By the early 1900s, many American cities faced severe transportation bottlenecks as horse-drawn vehicles clogged narrow streets designed for pedestrian traffic.' |
|
| '[MISSING TRANSITION]' |
|
| 'city planners began developing comprehensive street-widening projects to accommodate the growing number of automobiles entering urban areas.' |
|
| 'These infrastructure improvements transformed city layouts and established the foundation for modern urban transportation networks.' |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Early 1900s transportation problems led city planners to develop street-widening projects that transformed urban layouts.
Argument Flow: The passage presents a problem (traffic bottlenecks from horses), then shows how planners responded with a solution (street-widening projects), and finally describes the lasting impact of these improvements.
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
- Based on our analysis, we have a clear problem-solution sequence
- The first sentence describes transportation problems, and after the blank, we see city planners taking action to solve those problems
- The missing connector needs to show that the planners' actions were a direct response to the problems described
- The relationship we need is cause-and-effect: because cities had transportation bottlenecks, city planners developed street-widening projects
However,
- 'However' signals contrast or opposition
- This would suggest planners did something unexpected or contrary to addressing the problem
- But the street-widening projects directly address the transportation bottlenecks
For instance,
- 'For instance' introduces an example of something already mentioned
- The street-widening projects are not an example of transportation bottlenecks
- They are a response to solve the bottlenecks
Consequently,
- 'Consequently' signals cause-and-effect relationship
- Perfect fit: because cities faced bottlenecks, planners consequently developed solutions
- Shows the planners' actions were a direct result of the transportation problems
In contrast,
- 'In contrast' signals opposition between two different things
- But planners' actions support and address the problem, they do not oppose it
- The street-widening projects align with solving the transportation issues