Dr. Maria Santos's 2023 study on coral reef restoration employed a novel combination of underwater robotics and citizen science data...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Dr. Maria Santos's 2023 study on coral reef restoration employed a novel combination of underwater robotics and citizen science data collection. The research, which tracked recovery patterns across multiple reef systems, demonstrated significant improvements in restoration success rates. _____ the study's innovative methodology has influenced other marine conservation projects to adopt similar interdisciplinary approaches.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Furthermore,
For example,
In essence,
However,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Dr. Maria Santos's 2023 study on coral reef restoration employed a novel combination of underwater robotics and citizen science data collection.' |
|
| 'The research, which tracked recovery patterns across multiple reef systems, demonstrated significant improvements in restoration success rates.' |
|
| [MISSING TRANSITION] |
|
| 'the study's innovative methodology has influenced other marine conservation projects to adopt similar interdisciplinary approaches.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map:
[STUDY INTRODUCTION] Dr. Santos's coral reef study + novel methods → [STUDY RESULTS] Tracked multiple reefs → significant improvements → [MISSING CONNECTION] → [BROADER IMPACT] Methods influenced other marine projects
Main Point: Dr. Santos's innovative coral reef restoration study not only achieved significant success but also influenced the broader marine conservation field.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes a successful research study with innovative methods, presents its positive results, then moves to describe its influence on other projects. The missing transition needs to connect the study's success to its broader influence.
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
- The sentence before the blank tells us the study was successful - it 'demonstrated significant improvements in restoration success rates'
- The sentence after the blank tells us about the study's influence on other projects
- We need a transition that shows these are related positive outcomes - both the direct success AND the broader influence
- The relationship is additive - we're giving another positive result of the study
- It's not a contrast (the influence supports the success), not an example (the influence is a separate outcome), and not a summary (we're adding new information)
- So the right answer should signal that we're adding another positive consequence of this successful study
Furthermore,
✓ Correct
- Creates the perfect additive relationship between the study's direct success and its broader influence
- Signals 'here's another positive outcome' which fits perfectly with the flow from success to influence
- Matches our prethinking about needing an additive connector
For example,
✗ Incorrect
- Would suggest the influence on other projects is an example of the 'significant improvements in restoration success rates'
- But the influence on other projects is a separate outcome, not an example of the restoration success itself
- What trap this represents: Students might think the second sentence exemplifies the first, but these are two different types of positive outcomes
In essence,
✗ Incorrect
- Would suggest the influence on other projects is a summary or the fundamental meaning of the restoration success
- But we're actually adding new information about a different type of impact, not summarizing
- The relationship is additive, not summarizing
However,
✗ Incorrect
- Would create a contrast between the restoration success and the influence on other projects
- But both outcomes are positive and complementary, not opposing
- What trap this represents: Students might see two different outcomes and assume they contrast, but both are actually positive results of the same successful study