In 1942, the 1,500-mile Alaska Highway was constructed in under nine months, largely due to the skilled work of nearly...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
In 1942, the 1,500-mile Alaska Highway was constructed in under nine months, largely due to the skilled work of nearly 4,000 African American soldiers from US Army engineering regiments. The soldiers' contribution was overlooked for decades. ________ in 2017, lawmakers declared October 25 a day of recognition-'Alaska Highway Day'-for the troops who helped build this critical roadway.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Lastly,
Then,
Similarly,
For example,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'In 1942, the 1,500-mile Alaska Highway was constructed in under nine months, largely due to the skilled work of nearly 4,000 African American soldiers from US Army engineering regiments.' |
|
| 'The soldiers' contribution was overlooked for decades.' |
|
| '[MISSING TRANSITION]' |
|
| 'in 2017, lawmakers declared October 25 a day of recognition—'Alaska Highway Day'—for the troops who helped build this critical roadway.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: African American soldiers who played a crucial role in building the Alaska Highway were finally recognized in 2017 after being overlooked for decades.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes a significant historical achievement involving African American soldiers, notes that their contribution went unrecognized for many years, then presents the eventual official recognition they received decades later.
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 connect 'overlooked for decades' with 'in 2017, lawmakers declared recognition day'
- We need a word that shows temporal sequence - moving from a long period of no recognition to finally getting recognition
- The relationship is chronological progression, not contrast or similarity
Lastly,
✗ Incorrect
- 'Lastly' suggests this is the final point in a series of related items, but we haven't been given a list or series
Then,
✓ Correct
- 'Then' shows temporal sequence perfectly
- Connects the timeline: first decades of being overlooked, then in 2017 recognition finally came
Similarly,
✗ Incorrect
- 'Similarly' indicates something comparable happened, but getting recognition is the opposite of being overlooked
For example,
✗ Incorrect
- 'For example' introduces an illustration of a previous point, but the 2017 recognition isn't an example of being overlooked