In 1873, Spanish scientist Santiago Ramón y Cajal observed that brain fibers have distinct boundaries with clear end points, a...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
In 1873, Spanish scientist Santiago Ramón y Cajal observed that brain fibers have distinct boundaries with clear end points, a finding that went against earlier assumptions about the brain. ________ scientists had assumed that the brain was a continuous web of fused fibers, not a vast network of distinct, individual cells.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'In 1873, Spanish scientist Santiago Ramón y Cajal observed that brain fibers have distinct boundaries with clear end points,' |
|
| 'a finding that went against earlier assumptions about the brain.' |
|
| '[MISSING TRANSITION]' |
|
| 'scientists had assumed that the brain was a continuous web of fused fibers, not a vast network of distinct, individual cells.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Cajal's 1873 observation that brain fibers have distinct boundaries contradicted the earlier scientific assumption that the brain was a continuous, connected structure.
Argument Flow: The passage presents Cajal's discovery, notes it went against previous assumptions, then explains what those earlier assumptions were. The missing transition word needs to connect the idea that his finding contradicted earlier beliefs with the explanation of what those beliefs actually were.
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
- We need a word that signals we're about to learn what the 'earlier assumptions' actually were
- The relationship is temporal - we're moving from Cajal's discovery back to what scientists thought before
- The connector should indicate we're providing background information about the old scientific view
- It needs to set up the explanation of what scientists previously believed
- So the right answer should indicate a time-based relationship, showing we're explaining what came before Cajal's discovery
- 'However' signals contrast or opposition
- While Cajal's findings did oppose earlier views, we're not contrasting here - we're explaining what those earlier views were
- This would suggest the old assumptions somehow contradict the fact that Cajal's finding went against assumptions, which doesn't make logical sense
- 'Previously' establishes the temporal relationship perfectly
- It signals we're about to learn what scientists believed before Cajal's 1873 discovery
- This creates the logical flow: Cajal's finding contradicted earlier assumptions → here's what those earlier assumptions were
- Matches our prethinking about needing a time-based connector
- 'As a result' indicates cause and effect
- The old scientific assumptions weren't a result of Cajal's discovery - they came before it
- This creates a backwards logical relationship that doesn't match the timeline
- 'Likewise' suggests similarity or addition
- We're not adding similar information - we're providing contrasting historical context
- This would suggest the old assumptions were similar to Cajal's findings, when they were actually opposite