Economic indicators can fluctuate dramatically over short periods. The unemployment rate stood at 3.5% in February 2020. _____ the rate...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Economic indicators can fluctuate dramatically over short periods. The unemployment rate stood at \(\mathrm{3.5\%}\) in February 2020. _____ the rate had surged to \(\mathrm{14.8\%}\) by April 2020.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
By contrast,
For instance,
Consequently,
In particular,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Economic indicators can fluctuate dramatically over short periods." |
|
| [MISSING TRANSITION] |
|
| "The unemployment rate stood at 3.5% in February 2020." |
|
| "the rate had surged to 14.8% by April 2020." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Economic indicators can change drastically in short timeframes, as demonstrated by unemployment's jump from \(3.5\%\) to \(14.8\%\) in two months.
Argument Flow: The passage opens with a general claim about economic volatility, then illustrates this with a dramatic real-world example showing unemployment more than quadrupling between February and April 2020.
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 analysis, we need a transition that connects two unemployment statistics that show a massive difference
- The February rate (\(3.5\%\)) represents a very healthy economy, while the April rate (\(14.8\%\)) represents economic crisis
- The right relationship here is contrast or opposition
- We're moving from a low unemployment rate to an extremely high one, which illustrates how dramatically economic indicators can change
- So the right answer should signal contrast between the two unemployment figures
By contrast,
✓ Correct
- "By contrast" perfectly signals the opposing nature of the two statistics and shows the dramatic difference between 3.5% (healthy economy) and 14.8% (economic crisis)
- Matches our prethinking about needing a contrast connector
For instance,
✗ Incorrect
- "For instance" suggests the April figure is just another example of the same pattern
- But 14.8% isn't another example of fluctuation - it's the opposite extreme from 3.5%
- This traps students who think both statistics are just examples of fluctuation, missing that they demonstrate contrasting economic conditions
Consequently,
✗ Incorrect
- "Consequently" implies the April rate resulted from the February rate
- But the passage doesn't suggest the low February rate caused the high April rate
- The relationship is contrast, not causation
In particular,
✗ Incorrect
- "In particular" suggests focusing on or emphasizing the April statistic
- But we need to show how different April was from February, not just highlight April
- Doesn't capture the contrasting relationship