Economic analysts noted that mortgage interest rates had remained historically low throughout 2021, encouraging increased home buying activity among f...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Economic analysts noted that mortgage interest rates had remained historically low throughout 2021, encouraging increased home buying activity among first-time purchasers. _____ housing prices in major metropolitan areas rose by an average of 18% that year, the steepest increase in over a decade.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Additionally,
As a result,
In contrast,
Similarly,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Economic analysts noted that mortgage interest rates had remained historically low throughout 2021, encouraging increased home buying activity among first-time purchasers.' |
|
| [MISSING TRANSITION] |
|
| 'housing prices in major metropolitan areas rose by an average of 18% that year, the steepest increase in over a decade.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map:
[ECONOMIC CONTEXT] Low interest rates → More first-time buyers
↓
[MISSING CONNECTOR]
↓
[MARKET OUTCOME] Housing prices surge 18% (decade high)
Main Point: Low mortgage rates in 2021 led to increased home buying activity, which coincided with dramatic housing price increases.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes an economic condition (low rates encouraging buying), then needs a connector to link this to a major market consequence (steep price increases). The missing transition must show how these two pieces relate logically.
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
- Let's first think about what the right answer should tell us: Looking at our analysis, we have low interest rates encouraging more people to buy homes, followed by housing prices rising dramatically.
- The logical relationship here is cause and effect - when more people want to buy homes (increased demand), prices typically go up.
- So the right answer should show that the price increase is a consequence of the increased buying activity that resulted from low interest rates.
Additionally,
✗ Incorrect
- 'Additionally' suggests we're adding similar or supplementary information
- The price increase isn't just additional info - it's a direct consequence of the buying surge
- This transition doesn't capture the cause-effect relationship between increased buying and rising prices
As a result,
✓ Correct
- 'As a result' clearly establishes cause and effect
- Shows that housing price increases were a consequence of the increased buying activity
- Creates the logical flow: low rates → more buyers → higher prices
- Matches our prethinking perfectly
In contrast,
✗ Incorrect
- 'In contrast' signals opposition or difference
- Rising prices doesn't contrast with increased buying - they're actually connected
- What trap this represents: Students might think this works because low rates vs. high prices seems contrasting, but the passage shows these as related, not opposing
Similarly,
✗ Incorrect
- 'Similarly' indicates that two things are alike or parallel
- The price increase isn't similar to the rate/buying information - it's a result of it
- This misses the cause-effect relationship entirely