In 1933, the Twentieth Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified. The amendment mandates that presidential inaugurations be held on...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
In 1933, the Twentieth Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified. The amendment mandates that presidential inaugurations be held on January 20, approximately ten weeks after the November election. ______ this amendment requires newly elected US senators and representatives to be sworn into their respective offices on January 3.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Instead,
For instance,
Specifically,
In addition,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'In 1933, the Twentieth Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified.' |
|
| 'The amendment mandates that presidential inaugurations be held on January 20, approximately ten weeks after the November election.' |
|
| '[MISSING TRANSITION]' |
|
| 'this amendment requires newly elected US senators and representatives to be sworn into their respective offices on January 3.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The Twentieth Amendment establishes specific dates for when different elected officials take office.
Argument Flow: The passage introduces the Twentieth Amendment, then presents two different requirements it establishes - one for presidential inaugurations and another for congressional swearing-in ceremonies. The missing transition needs to connect these two related mandates from the same constitutional amendment.
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 passage analysis, we have the amendment's first requirement (presidential inaugurations), then the blank, then a second requirement from the same amendment (congressional swearing-in)
- The logical relationship here is addition - we're providing another requirement from the same constitutional amendment
- The right transition should signal that we're adding more information about what this amendment requires
Instead,
✗ Incorrect
- 'Instead' signals replacement or contrast
- This would suggest the congressional requirement replaces the presidential requirement, which doesn't make sense
- Trap: Students might think this contrasts the different dates (Jan 20 vs Jan 3), but the amendment establishes both requirements simultaneously
For instance,
✗ Incorrect
- 'For instance' introduces an example
- The congressional requirement isn't an example of the presidential requirement - they're separate mandates of the same amendment
Specifically,
✗ Incorrect
- 'Specifically' suggests narrowing down or being more precise about something already mentioned
- The congressional requirement doesn't specify or narrow down the presidential requirement - it's a separate provision
In addition,
✓ Correct
- Signals that we're adding another requirement from the same amendment
- Perfectly matches the logical relationship between the two mandates
- Shows both requirements are part of the same constitutional amendment without suggesting one replaces, exemplifies, or specifies the other