During periods of social upheaval, artists have frequently developed innovative techniques to circumvent censorship and express dissenting views. Pain...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
During periods of social upheaval, artists have frequently developed innovative techniques to circumvent censorship and express dissenting views. Painters in Soviet Russia, _____ created abstract works that appeared non-political but contained subtle critiques of the regime through symbolic color choices and hidden imagery.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
for instance,
in contrast,
nevertheless,
subsequently,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "During periods of social upheaval, artists have frequently developed innovative techniques to circumvent censorship and express dissenting views." |
|
| "Painters in Soviet Russia," |
|
| "created abstract works that appeared non-political but contained subtle critiques of the regime through symbolic color choices and hidden imagery." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: During times of political turmoil, artists find creative ways to express opposition while avoiding direct censorship.
Argument Flow: The passage presents a general principle about how artists respond to political pressure, then provides a specific historical example of Soviet painters who used abstract art to hide their critiques of the government.
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 a general statement about artists during social upheaval, followed by information about Soviet painters
- The missing connector needs to show that the Soviet painters are a specific example of the general pattern described in the first sentence
- We need a transition that signals "here's a specific case of what I just described"
for instance,
✓ Correct
- "For instance" perfectly introduces a specific example and connects the general pattern to the specific case of Soviet painters
- Creates the logical flow: general principle to specific example
in contrast,
✗ Incorrect
- "In contrast" signals opposition or difference
- The Soviet painters are not contrasting with the general pattern - they are exemplifying it
nevertheless,
✗ Incorrect
- "Nevertheless" indicates concession or contradiction
- No contradiction exists between the general statement and the specific example
subsequently,
✗ Incorrect
- "Subsequently" indicates time sequence
- The Soviet example is not happening after the general pattern - it is illustrating it