For decades, most scholars argued that the massive stone heads on Easter Island represented a civilization that collapsed due to...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
For decades, most scholars argued that the massive stone heads on Easter Island represented a civilization that collapsed due to environmental mismanagement and resource depletion. New archaeological evidence, _____ suggests that the Rapa Nui people actually practiced sophisticated sustainable agriculture and maintained a stable society until European contact brought disease and slave raids.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
for example,
however,
therefore,
furthermore,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "For decades, most scholars argued that the massive stone heads on Easter Island represented a civilization that collapsed due to environmental mismanagement and resource depletion." |
|
| [MISSING TRANSITION] |
|
| "New archaeological evidence suggests that the Rapa Nui people actually practiced sophisticated sustainable agriculture and maintained a stable society until European contact brought disease and slave raids." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: New archaeological evidence challenges the long-held view that Easter Island civilization collapsed due to environmental mismanagement.
Argument Flow: The passage presents a classic scholarly revision scenario where an established view held for decades is being challenged by new archaeological evidence that suggests a completely different interpretation of what happened to the Rapa Nui people.
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 transition must show the relationship between the old scholarly view and the new evidence
- From our analysis, the new evidence directly contradicts the established view
- We need a word that signals contrast or contradiction between these two opposing ideas
- The relationship is: "Old view says X, BUT new evidence says the opposite of X"
- So the right answer should signal a clear contrast between the established scholarly opinion and the contradicting new evidence
for example,
- This would make the new evidence an example supporting the old scholarly view
- But the new evidence contradicts rather than exemplifies the collapse theory
however,
- This signals the exact contrast we need between the old view and new evidence
- Shows that the new evidence challenges or contradicts what scholars previously argued
- Matches our prethinking perfectly
therefore,
- This would suggest the new evidence is a logical result of the scholarly argument
- But the new evidence contradicts rather than follows from the collapse theory
furthermore,
- This would add more support to the scholarly argument about collapse
- But the new evidence contradicts rather than adds to the collapse theory