For decades, conventional archaeological theory maintained that complex urban planning and sophisticated infrastructure required centralized governmen...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
For decades, conventional archaeological theory maintained that complex urban planning and sophisticated infrastructure required centralized governmental authority with extensive bureaucratic oversight. _____ recent excavations of ancient Indus Valley cities have revealed advanced municipal systems—including intricate drainage networks and standardized construction techniques—that appear to have developed without any evidence of hierarchical political control.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
As a result,
However,
Similarly,
For example,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "For decades, conventional archaeological theory maintained that complex urban planning and sophisticated infrastructure required centralized governmental authority with extensive bureaucratic oversight." |
|
| "[MISSING TRANSITION]" |
|
| "recent excavations of ancient Indus Valley cities have revealed advanced municipal systems—including intricate drainage networks and standardized construction techniques—that appear to have developed without any evidence of hierarchical political control." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Recent archaeological discoveries challenge the long-held belief that sophisticated urban planning requires centralized governmental authority.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes conventional archaeological theory about the necessity of centralized authority for complex cities, then presents new evidence from Indus Valley excavations that directly contradicts this theory by showing advanced urban systems that developed without hierarchical control.
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
- Based on our passage analysis, we need a transition that shows the relationship between the established theory (cities need central government) and the new evidence (Indus cities were advanced without central government)
- This is clearly a contrasting relationship - the new evidence contradicts the old theory
- The logical function we need is contrast or contradiction
- The transition must signal that what comes after challenges or opposes what came before
As a result,
✗ Incorrect
- This indicates cause and effect - suggesting the excavations happened because of the conventional theory
- Does not show the contradictory relationship we need
However,
✓ Correct
- Signals direct contrast between the established theory and new evidence
- Perfectly captures the contradictory relationship - conventional theory says one thing, but new evidence shows the opposite
- Matches our prethinking about needing a contrast transition
Similarly,
✗ Incorrect
- Indicates agreement or parallel examples
- Would suggest the excavations support the conventional theory, which is opposite of what the passage shows
For example,
✗ Incorrect
- Introduces an illustration or specific case
- Would suggest Indus Valley cities exemplify the conventional theory, when they actually contradict it