Famous for its four-degree tilt, the leaning Garisenda Tower is a popular attraction in Bologna's city center. However, measurements taken...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Famous for its four-degree tilt, the leaning Garisenda Tower is a popular attraction in Bologna's city center. However, measurements taken in 2023 showed that the tower was rotating in a concerning way. ______ city officials closed the area around the tower so experts could explore solutions to stabilize the historical twelfth-century structure.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Similarly,
As a result,
For example,
In comparison,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Famous for its four-degree tilt, the leaning Garisenda Tower is a popular attraction in Bologna's city center." |
|
| "However, measurements taken in 2023 showed that the tower was rotating in a concerning way." |
|
| "[MISSING TRANSITION]" |
|
| "city officials closed the area around the tower so experts could explore solutions to stabilize the historical twelfth-century structure." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The Garisenda Tower, despite being a popular attraction, now faces structural concerns that have prompted officials to take protective action.
Argument Flow: The passage starts by establishing the tower as a beloved attraction, then reveals concerning new measurements about its stability, leading to official action to protect the public and find solutions.
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 have a problem (concerning rotation measurements) followed by a response (officials closing the area)
- The logical relationship here is cause and effect—because the measurements were concerning, officials took action
- The connector should show that the second event happened as a direct consequence of the first event
Similarly,
✗ Incorrect
- This suggests comparison or likeness between two things
- This doesn't work because closing the area isn't similar to taking measurements—they're completely different actions
As a result,
✓ Correct
- This clearly shows cause-and-effect relationship
- The concerning measurements (cause) led to officials closing the area (effect)
- This matches our prethinking perfectly
For example,
✗ Incorrect
- This introduces a specific instance that illustrates a general point
- Closing the area isn't an example of the measurements being concerning—it's a response to them
In comparison,
✗ Incorrect
- This sets up a contrast between two things being compared
- There's no comparison being made here—we're not comparing the measurements to anything else