Dr. Sarah Chen's research focuses on developing new materials through biomimicry. Her laboratory studies the structural properties of natural organism...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Dr. Sarah Chen's research focuses on developing new materials through biomimicry. Her laboratory studies the structural properties of natural organisms to create innovative synthetic compounds. _____ her team recently developed a new adhesive by analyzing the foot pads of gecko lizards.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Dr. Sarah Chen's research focuses on developing new materials through biomimicry." |
|
| "Her laboratory studies the structural properties of natural organisms to create innovative synthetic compounds." |
|
| "[MISSING TRANSITION]" |
|
| "her team recently developed a new adhesive by analyzing the foot pads of gecko lizards." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Chen's team uses biomimicry to develop new materials by studying natural organisms.
Argument Flow: The passage introduces Dr. Chen's biomimicry research focus, explains the general method of studying natural organisms to create synthetic compounds, then provides a specific example of developing gecko-inspired adhesive.
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 relationship between the general research description and the specific gecko example
- The blank comes after explaining the general method and introduces a concrete example of this method in action
- We need a transition that signals "here's a specific instance of what I just described"
- The right answer should introduce an example or illustration of the biomimicry research method
- Perfectly introduces the gecko adhesive as a specific example
- Matches our prethinking - we need a connector that signals an example is coming
- Creates the logical flow: general method to specific illustration of that method
- Suggests parallel or simultaneous action
- Doesn't fit the logical relationship - this isn't about two things happening at the same time
- Signals contrast or opposition
- No contrast exists here - the gecko example supports rather than contradicts the previous information
- Indicates time sequence
- While the adhesive development may have happened after the research began, the logical relationship is example-based, not chronological