Many butterfly species have bold, brightly colored wings. ______ some butterfly species have wings that are almost completely colorless and...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Many butterfly species have bold, brightly colored wings. ______ some butterfly species have wings that are almost completely colorless and transparent. Glasswing butterflies, for example, have see-through wings that make them nearly invisible.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Similarly,
Previously,
In other words,
However,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Many butterfly species have bold, brightly colored wings." |
|
| "[MISSING TRANSITION]" |
|
| "some butterfly species have wings that are almost completely colorless and transparent." |
|
| "Glasswing butterflies, for example, have see-through wings that make them nearly invisible." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Butterfly wing coloration varies dramatically, from bold and bright to completely colorless and transparent.
Argument Flow: The passage presents a general characteristic of butterfly wings (bold and bright), then contrasts this with an opposite characteristic (colorless and transparent), and supports this contrast with a specific example of glasswing butterflies.
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 of "bold, brightly colored wings" with "colorless and transparent wings"
- These two descriptions are opposites, so we need a contrast signal
- The logical relationship should show that what comes after the blank is different from what comes before
Similarly,
- "Similarly" suggests the second idea is like the first
- This doesn't work because colorless, transparent wings are the opposite of bold, bright wings
- Creates a logical contradiction
Previously,
- "Previously" indicates a time sequence
- The passage isn't discussing different time periods but different types of butterflies that exist now
- Doesn't address the logical relationship between contrasting wing types
In other words,
- "In other words" suggests the second sentence restates or clarifies the first
- But colorless, transparent wings don't restate or clarify bold, bright wings - they're opposites
However,
- "However" signals contrast, which perfectly fits the relationship between bold, bright wings and colorless, transparent wings
- Creates the logical flow: many butterflies have one type of wing, but some have the completely opposite type