Economist Robert Kim's recent analysis of remote work trends has led him to _____ that traditional office buildings will lose...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Economist Robert Kim's recent analysis of remote work trends has led him to _____ that traditional office buildings will lose significant value over the next decade. His determination stems from data showing persistent workforce migration to distributed employment models.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
dispute
conceal
conclude
question
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Economist Robert Kim's recent analysis of remote work trends has led him to |
|
| [MISSING WORD] |
|
| that traditional office buildings will lose significant value over the next decade. |
|
| His determination stems from data showing persistent workforce migration to distributed employment models. |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture and Core Elements
Visual Structure Map: Kim's Analysis of Remote Work leads to Missing Connector which leads to Kim's belief about office building values, supported by Supporting Data about workforce shift to remote work.
Main Point: Robert Kim's analysis of remote work data has led him to form a specific belief about the future value of office buildings.
Argument Flow: Kim conducted analysis of remote work trends, which caused him to form a particular view about office buildings losing value. This view is supported by data showing workers are persistently moving to distributed work models.
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 word needs to show what Kim's analysis caused him to do regarding his belief about office buildings
- Looking at our analysis, Kim conducted research, and this led him to form a specific belief
- The second sentence confirms this is his determination based on data - suggesting he reached a judgment based on evidence
- The relationship is: analysis/data leads to forming a belief/judgment based on that evidence
- So the right answer should show Kim reaching a judgment or decision based on his analytical work
dispute
✗ Incorrect
- Dispute means to argue against or challenge something
- This doesn't fit because Kim isn't arguing against his own analysis - his analysis led him to this view
- What trap this represents: Students might think dispute works because it involves taking a position, but it specifically means arguing against something, not forming a conclusion
conceal
✗ Incorrect
- Conceal means to hide or keep secret
- This makes no logical sense - why would analysis lead someone to hide a belief?
conclude
✓ Correct
- Conclude means to reach a decision or judgment based on evidence
- This perfectly matches our prethinking - Kim's analysis led him to reach a judgment about office building values
- The second sentence supports this with His determination stems from data - showing he concluded something based on evidence
question
✗ Incorrect
- Question means to doubt or express uncertainty about something
- This contradicts the second sentence which calls it his determination - you can't be determined about something you're questioning
- What trap this represents: Students might think this works because analysis can lead to questions, but the context shows certainty, not doubt