Iraqi artist Nazik Al-Malaika, celebrated as the first Arabic poet to write in free verse, didn't reject traditional forms entirely;...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Iraqi artist Nazik Al-Malaika, celebrated as the first Arabic poet to write in free verse, didn't reject traditional forms entirely; her poem 'Elegy for a Woman of No Importance' consists of two ten-line stanzas and a standard number of syllables. Even in this superficially traditional work, ________ Al-Malaika was breaking new ground by memorializing an anonymous woman rather than a famous man.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Iraqi artist Nazik Al-Malaika, celebrated as the first Arabic poet to write in free verse," |
|
| "didn't reject traditional forms entirely;" |
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| "her poem 'Elegy for a Woman of No Importance' consists of two ten-line stanzas and a standard number of syllables." |
|
| "Al-Malaika was breaking new ground by memorializing an anonymous woman rather than a famous man." |
|
Main Point: Even when using traditional poetic forms, Al-Malaika found ways to be innovative through her choice of subject matter.
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 relationship needed is contrast - we just read about traditional structure, but then we're told she was breaking new ground
- The connector needs to acknowledge this apparent contradiction while showing the innovation was still there despite the traditional form
- "Therefore" suggests the innovation follows logically from the traditional structure, but the passage shows innovation despite traditional structure
- "In fact" suggests emphasis or clarification of the same point, but we're moving from traditional structure to innovation
- "Moreover" adds additional information in the same direction, but innovation isn't additional traditional structure
- "Though" creates the perfect contrast - acknowledging the traditional structure while showing innovation still occurred