Economist Elinor Ostrom's studies of communities around the world have empirically demonstrated that common pool resources, such as grazing lands,...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Economist Elinor Ostrom's studies of communities around the world have empirically demonstrated that common pool resources, such as grazing lands, can be sustainably managed by the people who use them (rather than through private entities or centralized governments). _______ Ostrom's work is a repudiation of the 'tragedy of the commons,' the view that individuals will inevitably overexploit a finite shared resource if given unfettered access to it.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Economist Elinor Ostrom's studies of communities around the world have empirically demonstrated that common pool resources, such as grazing lands, can be sustainably managed by the people who use them (rather than through private entities or centralized governments). |
|
| [MISSING TRANSITION] |
|
| Ostrom's work is a repudiation of the 'tragedy of the commons,' the view that individuals will inevitably overexploit a finite shared resource if given unfettered access to it. |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Elinor Ostrom's research proves that people can successfully manage shared resources, contradicting the pessimistic tragedy of the commons theory.
Argument Flow: The passage presents Ostrom's research findings about successful community management of shared resources, then explains how these findings contradict an established theory about resource exploitation.
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, the first sentence presents Ostrom's research findings - that communities CAN manage shared resources sustainably
- The second sentence explains what this means in terms of existing theory - it rejects the tragedy of the commons view
- The relationship we need is one where the second sentence flows logically from the first as a consequence or conclusion
- The second sentence explains the significance of what the first sentence established
- So the right answer should signal that the second sentence is a logical result or consequence of the first - something like therefore or consequently
- By contrast signals opposition between two ideas, but these sentences work together rather than contrasting
- For example suggests the second sentence provides a specific instance of the first, but the second sentence explains broader significance, not an example
- That said typically introduces a concession or caveat, but nothing in the second sentence modifies or limits the first sentence
- As such means therefore or consequently and perfectly captures the logical flow: because Ostrom proved sustainable management is possible, her work therefore contradicts the pessimistic theory