In most deer species, males grow antlers, and females don't. _______ reindeer are different. They are the only deer species...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
In most deer species, males grow antlers, and females don't. _______ reindeer are different. They are the only deer species in which the females grow antlers, too.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Similarly,
Next,
However,
Thus,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "In most deer species, males grow antlers, and females don't." |
|
| "[MISSING TRANSITION]" |
|
| "reindeer are different." |
|
| "They are the only deer species in which the females grow antlers, too." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map:
[GENERAL PATTERN] Most deer: males have antlers, females don't → [MISSING TRANSITION] → [CONTRAST] Reindeer are different → [SPECIFICATION] Female reindeer also grow antlers
Main Point: Reindeer are unique among deer species because their females also grow antlers, unlike other deer species.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes a general rule about antler growth in deer species, then introduces reindeer as an exception to this rule, and finally explains the specific way reindeer are different.
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 transition that shows the relationship between "most deer species work one way" and "reindeer work differently."
- Based on our analysis, the text before the blank gives us a general pattern, and the text after shows reindeer breaking that pattern.
- This calls for a contrasting relationship—something that signals "but wait, here's an exception" or "this case is different."
- So the right answer should signal a contrast or exception to what we just learned about typical deer species.
Similarly,
✗ Incorrect
- "Similarly" suggests reindeer follow the same pattern as other deer
- This contradicts the text that explicitly states reindeer "are different"
- What trap this represents: Students might focus on the fact that both sentences are about deer, missing that the content shows contrast, not similarity
Next,
✗ Incorrect
- "Next" suggests a sequence in time or a list of items
- This passage isn't presenting a timeline or series of steps
- The relationship here is about contrasting characteristics, not sequential order
However,
✓ Correct
- "However" signals a contrast, which perfectly matches the logical relationship
- Sets up the exception: most deer work one way, but reindeer are the exception
- Creates the right flow from general rule to specific exception
Thus,
✗ Incorrect
- "Thus" indicates a conclusion or result following from what came before
- Reindeer being different isn't a result of the general deer pattern—it's an exception to it
- What trap this represents: Students might think the second sentence explains or results from the first, when it actually contrasts with it