Jackson Pollock became famous for his revolutionary "action painting" technique, creating works that seemed chaotic and uncontrolled to many observers...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Jackson Pollock became famous for his revolutionary "action painting" technique, creating works that seemed chaotic and uncontrolled to many observers. _____ his method was actually highly disciplined, requiring precise timing and deliberate movement as he dripped and splattered paint across canvases laid on his studio floor.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For example,
In contrast,
Similarly,
Therefore,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Jackson Pollock became famous for his revolutionary "action painting" technique, creating works that seemed chaotic and uncontrolled to many observers. |
|
| [MISSING TRANSITION] |
|
| his method was actually highly disciplined, requiring precise timing and deliberate movement as he dripped and splattered paint across canvases laid on his studio floor. |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Jackson Pollock's painting technique appeared chaotic to observers but was actually highly disciplined and controlled.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes how Pollock's work appeared to viewers, then uses the missing transition to reveal the contrasting reality of his disciplined methodology.
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 the idea that Pollock's work "seemed chaotic and uncontrolled" with the idea that "his method was actually highly disciplined"
- These two ideas are opposites - appearance vs. reality
- We need a connector that signals this contradiction or contrast
For example,
"For example"
✗ Incorrect
- Introduces a specific instance or illustration
- This doesn't make logical sense because the second sentence isn't giving an example of chaos - it's saying the opposite
In contrast,
"In contrast"
✓ Correct
- Signals that what follows opposes or contradicts what came before
- This perfectly captures the relationship between the chaotic appearance and the disciplined reality
Similarly,
"Similarly"
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests that what follows agrees with or resembles what came before
- This is the opposite of what we need - the disciplined method is not similar to appearing chaotic
Therefore,
"Therefore"
✗ Incorrect
- Indicates a conclusion or result following from the previous information
- The disciplined method isn't a result of appearing chaotic - it's the underlying reality that contradicts the appearance