In studying the use of external stimuli to reduce the itching sensation caused by an allergic histamine response, Louise Ward...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
In studying the use of external stimuli to reduce the itching sensation caused by an allergic histamine response, Louise Ward and colleagues found that while harmless applications of vibration or warming can provide a temporary distraction, such ________ stimuli actually offer less relief than a stimulus that seems less benign, like a mild electric shock.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
deceptive
innocuous
novel
impractical
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "In studying the use of external stimuli to reduce the itching sensation caused by an allergic histamine response," |
|
| "Louise Ward and colleagues found that while harmless applications of vibration or warming can provide a temporary distraction," |
|
| "such _______ stimuli actually offer less relief" |
|
| "than a stimulus that seems less benign, like a mild electric shock." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Research revealed that seemingly harsher stimuli provide more itch relief than gentler alternatives.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes a study context, presents an initial finding about gentle stimuli providing some relief, then reveals the surprising discovery that these gentle methods are actually less effective than stimuli that appear more harsh.
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 blank refers back to "harmless applications of vibration or warming" from the previous clause
- We need a word that describes these gentle, non-threatening stimuli
- The word should emphasize their harmless nature since the passage is setting up a contrast with "less benign" stimuli like electric shock
- So the right answer should describe the vibration and warming treatments as gentle, safe, or non-threatening
deceptive
- "Deceptive" suggests the stimuli mislead or trick somehow
- Nothing in the passage indicates these treatments are misleading
- Doesn't connect logically to "harmless applications"
innocuous
- "Innocuous" means harmless or unlikely to cause harm
- Directly parallels "harmless applications" from earlier in the sentence
- Creates perfect logical flow: harmless treatments provide less relief than harsher ones
- Matches our prethinking about needing a synonym for harmless
novel
- "Novel" means new or innovative
- The passage focuses on harmfulness levels, not how recent the treatments are
- Doesn't create the right contrast with "less benign" stimuli
impractical
- "Impractical" suggests the treatments don't work well in practice
- Contradicts that they "can provide a temporary distraction"