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Environmental scientist Dr. Chen explains why the river's fish population has declined dramatically over the past decade. The construction of...

GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions

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Expression of Ideas
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Environmental scientist Dr. Chen explains why the river's fish population has declined dramatically over the past decade. The construction of upstream dams has significantly reduced water flow during spawning season. _____ many fish species cannot reach their traditional breeding grounds and reproduction rates have plummeted.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

A

Similarly,

B

Consequently,

C

Meanwhile,

D

In addition,

Solution

Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage

Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table

Text from PassageAnalysis
"Environmental scientist Dr. Chen explains why the river's fish population has declined dramatically over the past decade."
  • What it says: Dr. Chen explains fish pop decline (10 yrs)
  • What it does: Introduces the topic and expert source
  • What it is: Opening context
"The construction of upstream dams has significantly reduced water flow during spawning season."
  • What it says: Dams → ↓ water flow during spawning
  • What it does: Presents the cause of the problem
  • What it is: Causal explanation
"[MISSING TRANSITION]"
  • What it is: Missing logical connector
"many fish species cannot reach their traditional breeding grounds and reproduction rates have plummeted."
  • What it says: Fish can't reach breeding areas → ↓↓ babies
  • What it does: Explains the consequences of reduced water flow
  • What it is: Effect/outcome

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 passage analysis, we have a clear cause (reduced water flow from dams) followed by the effect (fish can't reach breeding grounds and reproduction drops)
  • The missing transition needs to show this cause-and-effect relationship
Answer Choices Explained
A

Similarly,

Similarly,
✗ Incorrect

  • "Similarly" suggests we're comparing two parallel situations
  • This doesn't fit because we're showing what results from the dam construction
B

Consequently,

Consequently,
✓ Correct

  • "Consequently" perfectly signals the cause-and-effect relationship we identified
  • It shows that fish being unable to reach breeding grounds is a direct result of the reduced water flow
C

Meanwhile,

Meanwhile,
✗ Incorrect

  • "Meanwhile" indicates something happening at the same time
  • This doesn't work because fish being unable to breed is the result of dam construction, not simultaneous with it
D

In addition,

In addition,
✗ Incorrect

  • "In addition" suggests we're adding more information to a list
  • This doesn't fit because reduced reproduction is the consequence, not additional information
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