Economic theorist Adam Smith argued that individual self-interest, when allowed to operate freely in competitive markets, would naturally promote soci...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Economic theorist Adam Smith argued that individual self-interest, when allowed to operate freely in competitive markets, would naturally promote societal welfare. According to his theory, market participants pursuing their own economic advantage would be guided by an "invisible hand"; _____ private interests would ultimately serve the common good.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
in essence,
nonetheless,
for instance,
subsequently,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Economic theorist Adam Smith argued that individual self-interest, when allowed to operate freely in competitive markets, would naturally promote societal welfare." |
|
| "According to his theory, market participants pursuing their own economic advantage would be guided by an 'invisible hand';" |
|
| [MISSING TRANSITION] |
|
| "private interests would ultimately serve the common good." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Adam Smith believed that individual self-interest in free markets naturally benefits society through an invisible hand mechanism.
Argument Flow: The passage introduces Smith's economic theory, explains how the invisible hand guides self-interested behavior, and concludes that private interests ultimately serve the common good. The missing connector needs to link the mechanism explanation to its essential meaning.
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 sentence before the blank explains the invisible hand mechanism, and the sentence after states what this mechanism essentially means - that private interests serve the common good
- We need a transition that signals this is what that concept fundamentally means or to put it simply
- The relationship here is explanatory - we are moving from describing the mechanism to explaining its essential meaning
- So the right answer should be a connector that indicates summary, clarification, or essential meaning
in essence,
✓ Correct
- In essence means fundamentally or essentially - perfect for connecting the invisible hand mechanism to what it basically means
- Matches our prethinking by providing the summary/clarification relationship we identified
- Creates smooth logical flow: invisible hand guides behavior; in essence, private interests serve the common good
nonetheless,
✗ Incorrect
- Nonetheless signals contrast or concession - suggests something contrary to expectations
- Does not fit because there is no contrasting idea here; the outcome aligns perfectly with the theory
- Trap: Students might think there is a contradiction between self-interest and serving the common good, but the passage presents these as aligned, not contrasting
for instance,
✗ Incorrect
- For instance introduces a specific example of a general concept
- The second part is not an example of the invisible hand - it is the essential meaning of what the invisible hand accomplishes
- Wrong logical relationship for this context
subsequently,
✗ Incorrect
- Subsequently indicates a time sequence - something happening after something else
- This is not about timing; both parts describe the same theoretical concept from different angles
- Creates illogical temporal relationship where none exists