Chef Maria perfected her signature bread-making technique over many years. She begins by combining flour, water, and yeast into a...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Chef Maria perfected her signature bread-making technique over many years. She begins by combining flour, water, and yeast into a rough mixture. _____ she kneads the dough for ten minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Finally, she allows the dough to rise for two hours before baking.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Next,
For instance,
In contrast,
Similarly,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Chef Maria perfected her signature bread-making technique over many years.' |
|
| 'She begins by combining flour, water, and yeast into a rough mixture.' |
|
| [MISSING TRANSITION] |
|
| 'she kneads the dough for ten minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.' |
|
| 'Finally, she allows the dough to rise for two hours before baking.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The passage describes Chef Maria's methodical bread-making process as a sequence of specific steps.
Argument Flow: After establishing Maria's expertise, the passage walks through her bread-making technique in chronological order, from combining ingredients through kneading to the final rising phase before baking.
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 this is describing a sequential process
- The blank comes right after Maria combines the ingredients (step 1) and before she kneads the dough (step 2)
- We need a connector that shows we're moving to the next step in this chronological sequence
- The relationship we need is: progression from one step to the next step in a process
- So the right answer should signal that we're continuing forward in the sequence, moving from the first action to the second action in Maria's bread-making process
Next,
✓ Correct
- 'Next' perfectly signals progression from one step to the next
- Fits the sequential nature of the bread-making process we mapped out
- Creates logical flow from combining ingredients to kneading
For instance,
✗ Incorrect
- 'For instance' introduces examples or illustrations
- Kneading isn't an example of combining ingredients—it's a separate step
- This trap might appeal to students who think this works because both are bread-making actions, but the relationship is sequential, not illustrative
In contrast,
✗ Incorrect
- 'In contrast' signals opposition or difference
- Kneading doesn't contrast with combining—both are necessary parts of the same process
- Would incorrectly suggest these steps work against each other
Similarly,
✗ Incorrect
- 'Similarly' indicates comparison or likeness
- While both actions are part of bread-making, the text isn't drawing comparisons
- The focus is on sequence, not similarities between the actions