Dr. Martinez's graduate students were thrilled to learn that their research project had been selected for presentation at the International...

Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage

Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table

Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements

Visual Structure Map: [POSITIVE CONTEXT] Students thrilled about conference selection → [MISSING FEELING] about being chosen → [REASONING] Selection proves significant contribution

Main Point: Graduate students had strong positive feelings about their research being selected because the selection validated the importance of their work.

Argument Flow: The passage establishes that students were thrilled about being selected, then describes how they felt about this selection, and finally explains that their feelings were justified because selection indicated their work was a significant contribution to the field.

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 word we need should describe how the students felt about being chosen
• We know they were "thrilled," and the explanation tells us selection indicated their work was a "significant contribution"
• So the missing word should: Match the positive emotional tone established by "thrilled", Make logical sense given that selection validates the importance of their work, Connect smoothly with the "since" clause that follows
• The right answer should be a positive word that describes finding something beneficial or favorable