Marine biologist Dr. Elena Rodriguez's three-year study of coral reef recovery has produced remarkably encouraging results. ______ her team documented...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Marine biologist Dr. Elena Rodriguez's three-year study of coral reef recovery has produced remarkably encouraging results. ______ her team documented a \(40\%\) increase in coral coverage and a \(60\%\) rise in fish species diversity across the previously damaged reef systems they monitored.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
However,
Indeed,
Meanwhile,
Instead,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Marine biologist Dr. Elena Rodriguez's three-year study of coral reef recovery has produced remarkably encouraging results.' |
|
| '[MISSING TRANSITION]' |
|
| 'her team documented a 40% increase in coral coverage and a 60% rise in fish species diversity across the previously damaged reef systems they monitored.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Rodriguez's coral reef recovery study yielded very positive results with significant improvements in both coral coverage and fish diversity.
Argument Flow: The passage opens with a general claim about encouraging study results, then provides specific quantitative evidence that demonstrates exactly why those results are so encouraging.
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 first sentence tells us the study produced remarkably encouraging results.
- The second sentence gives us specific data showing 40% and 60% increases.
- The second sentence is clearly providing concrete evidence that proves why the results are so encouraging.
- So we need a transition that shows the second sentence is confirming, supporting, or emphasizing what the first sentence claimed.
However,
- 'However' signals contrast or opposition.
- This would suggest the specific data contradicts the encouraging results claim.
- The data actually supports the claim, so contrast makes no logical sense.
Indeed,
- 'Indeed' signals confirmation and emphasis.
- Perfect fit: the specific improvements (40% and 60% increases) truly do confirm that the results are remarkably encouraging.
- Creates the logical flow: claim → confirmation with evidence.
Meanwhile,
- 'Meanwhile' indicates simultaneous but separate actions.
- Doesn't establish the logical connection between the general claim and the supporting evidence.
Instead,
- 'Instead' signals replacement or alternative.
- Would suggest the team did something different rather than achieving encouraging results.
- The data shows they actually did achieve the encouraging results, not something instead of them.