In 1885, Chinese-born California resident Mary Tape became a hero of the Asian American civil rights movement. In January of...

GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions

Source: Practice Test

Expression of Ideas

Transitions

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In 1885, Chinese-born California resident Mary Tape became a hero of the Asian American civil rights movement. In January of that year, she won an antidiscrimination case in the California Supreme Court. ________ in April, she wrote an open letter criticizing her local board of education for discrimination. Both actions are remembered today as historic stands against racism.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

Later,

For instance,

In other words,

Rather,

Solution

Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage

Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table

Text from Passage	Analysis
'In 1885, Chinese-born California resident Mary Tape became a hero of the Asian American civil rights movement.'	What it says: 1885: Mary Tape = hero of Asian Am civil rights What it does: Introduces Mary Tape and establishes her significance What it is: Opening context/character introduction
'In January of that year, she won an antidiscrimination case in the California Supreme Court.'	What it says: Jan 1885: won court case vs discrimination What it does: Provides first specific example of her heroic actions What it is: Supporting evidence/example
[MISSING TRANSITION]	What it is: Missing logical connector
'in April, she wrote an open letter criticizing her local board of education for discrimination.'	What it says: Apr 1885: wrote letter criticizing school board discrimination What it does: Provides second specific example of her actions against discrimination What it is: Supporting evidence/example
'Both actions are remembered today as historic stands against racism.'	What it says: Both actions = historic anti-racism stands What it does: Emphasizes the lasting significance of her two actions What it is: Conclusion/significance statement

Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements

Main Point: Mary Tape became a civil rights hero through two specific anti-discrimination actions she took in 1885.

Argument Flow: The passage introduces Mary Tape as a civil rights hero, then provides two chronological examples of her activism (January court victory, April letter), and concludes by emphasizing both actions' historical importance.

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 connects two related actions Mary Tape took in the same year
The first action happened in January (court case), the second in April (letter)
Both actions are examples of her fighting discrimination, so we need a connector that shows they're related but happened at different times
Since April comes after January, we need something that indicates time progression or sequence

Answer Choices Explained

Later,

✓ Correct - 'Later' perfectly shows the time progression from January to April and connects two sequential examples of her anti-discrimination work

For instance,

✗ Incorrect - 'For instance' introduces an example or illustration, but the April letter isn't an example of the January court case—they're two separate, equal actions

In other words,

✗ Incorrect - 'In other words' suggests restating or clarifying the same idea, but the April letter doesn't restate the January court case—it's a completely different action

Rather,

✗ Incorrect - 'Rather' suggests contrast or an alternative choice, but both actions support the same goal of fighting discrimination

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