Local bookstore owner Maria Rodriguez had always specialized in rare and antique books, building a devoted customer base over fifteen...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Local bookstore owner Maria Rodriguez had always specialized in rare and antique books, building a devoted customer base over fifteen years. Many independent bookstores struggled during the digital revolution, with online retailers offering lower prices and greater convenience. _____ Rodriguez's store continued to thrive by focusing on personalized service and hosting author events that created a sense of community among book lovers.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For instance,
Therefore,
Nevertheless,
In summary,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Local bookstore owner Maria Rodriguez had always specialized in rare and antique books, building a devoted customer base over fifteen years." |
|
| "Many independent bookstores struggled during the digital revolution, with online retailers offering lower prices and greater convenience." |
|
| "[MISSING TRANSITION]" |
|
| "Rodriguez's store continued to thrive by focusing on personalized service and hosting author events that created a sense of community among book lovers." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: While digital competition hurt many independent bookstores, Rodriguez succeeded by offering personalized experiences that online retailers couldn't match.
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 have a setup where many bookstores struggled due to digital competition, but then Rodriguez's store thrived
- The missing connector needs to bridge this contrast - it should signal that despite the general struggle mentioned, Rodriguez had a different experience
- We need a transition that indicates contrast or opposition to the previous statement
For instance,
- Introduces an example
- This would make Rodriguez's success an example of bookstores struggling, which is backwards
Therefore,
- Indicates a logical result or consequence
- This would suggest Rodriguez's success resulted from other bookstores struggling, which doesn't make logical sense
Nevertheless,
- Signals contrast or exception
- Perfect fit for showing that Rodriguez's experience was different from the general struggle
- Creates the logical flow: general problem but Rodriguez was different her specific success
In summary,
- Indicates a conclusion or wrap-up
- Rodriguez's situation isn't summarizing the previous points about industry struggles