Dr. Chen's research team deployed an innovative network of acoustic sensors throughout the forest canopy to monitor bird migration patterns,...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Dr. Chen's research team deployed an innovative network of acoustic sensors throughout the forest canopy to monitor bird migration patterns, collecting detailed data on species movement and timing across multiple seasons. _____ the technology revealed previously unknown nocturnal communication behaviors among several endangered species.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Moreover,
In contrast,
Specifically,
Therefore,
Looking at this question, I need to work through the passage systematically to understand what logical relationship the blank should establish.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Dr. Chen's research team deployed an innovative network of acoustic sensors throughout the forest canopy to monitor bird migration patterns, collecting detailed data on species movement and timing across multiple seasons." |
|
| "[MISSING TRANSITION]" |
|
| "the technology revealed previously unknown nocturnal communication behaviors among several endangered species." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Chen's acoustic sensor technology successfully collected bird migration data and also made additional discoveries about nocturnal communication behaviors in endangered species.
Argument Flow: The passage describes a research project where acoustic sensors were deployed to study bird migration. The same technology yielded an additional discovery about previously unknown nocturnal behaviors, showing the broader value of the research approach.
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 have two related but distinct accomplishments of the same technology
- The first sentence tells us the sensors were deployed to collect migration data
- The second sentence tells us the same technology also revealed nocturnal behaviors
- These are both positive outcomes from the same research project - the second sentence adds to what we learned about the technology's capabilities
- The relationship we need is one that shows addition or continuation - we're learning about another thing the technology accomplished, in addition to its primary purpose of tracking migration patterns
- So the right answer should signal that we're adding more information about what this technology achieved
Moreover,
✓ Correct
- "Moreover" means "in addition to what has just been said"
- This perfectly fits because the second sentence adds another accomplishment of the same technology
- It signals that beyond collecting migration data, the technology also made this additional discovery
In contrast,
✗ Incorrect
- "In contrast" signals opposition or difference between two ideas
- The two sentences don't oppose each other - both describe positive outcomes from the same research
- What trap this represents: Students might think any two different findings need a contrasting connector, but these findings complement rather than oppose each other
Specifically,
✗ Incorrect
- "Specifically" means "in a clearly defined manner" and signals that what follows clarifies or narrows down what came before
- The nocturnal behavior discovery doesn't clarify or narrow down the migration data collection - it's a separate finding
- What trap this represents: Students might confuse any detailed information as being "specific" clarification of previous points
Therefore,
✗ Incorrect
- "Therefore" signals a cause-and-effect relationship where what follows is a result of what came before
- The nocturnal behavior discovery wasn't caused by collecting migration data - both were separate capabilities of the same technology
- What trap this represents: Students might see a sequence of events and assume the second must be a result of the first