Mountain climbing routes that incorporate metal rungs and cables are known as via ferratas, from the Italian phrase for 'iron...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Mountain climbing routes that incorporate metal rungs and cables are known as via ferratas, from the Italian phrase for 'iron path.' As climbing these routes has shifted from a mode of travel to a sporting activity, modern via ferratas are rarely designed to simply reach a summit. ________ new routes favor recreation over utility, aiming to provide a challenging climb or showcase dramatic scenery.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Additionally,
On the other hand,
More often,
Nonetheless,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Mountain climbing routes that incorporate metal rungs and cables are known as via ferratas, from the Italian phrase for 'iron path.'" |
|
| "As climbing these routes has shifted from a mode of travel to a sporting activity," |
|
| "modern via ferratas are rarely designed to simply reach a summit." |
|
| "new routes favor recreation over utility, aiming to provide a challenging climb or showcase dramatic scenery." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Via ferratas have evolved from practical travel routes to recreational climbing experiences that prioritize sport and scenery over simple utility.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes what via ferratas are, explains how their purpose has shifted from transportation to recreation, notes that modern ones aren't just about reaching summits, and then elaborates on how new routes emphasize recreational value over practical utility.
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
- Looking at our passage analysis, we see that the sentence before the blank tells us modern via ferratas are "rarely designed to simply reach a summit."
- The sentence after the blank explains that "new routes favor recreation over utility."
- The logical relationship here is that we're seeing this trend happening - this shift from utility to recreation is occurring with increasing frequency.
- The transition should indicate that this recreational focus is becoming more common or frequent.
- So the right answer should show that this shift toward recreation over utility is happening as a trend or with increasing frequency.
Additionally,
Additionally
✗ Incorrect
- "Additionally" suggests we're adding similar information to what came before
- But we're not adding similar information - we're explaining what's happening instead of the old utility focus
- This doesn't capture the frequency/trend relationship we need
On the other hand,
On the other hand
✗ Incorrect
- "On the other hand" indicates contrast between two different things
- While there is some contrast between old and new purposes, the passage isn't setting up a direct comparison
- The focus is more on showing what's happening now, not contrasting two approaches
More often,
More often
✓ Correct
- "More often" indicates frequency and trend, which perfectly captures the shift happening
- It shows that this recreational focus is becoming the common pattern
- Connects logically: if modern via ferratas rarely focus on summits, then more often they focus on recreation
- This matches our prethinking about showing the trend toward recreational design
Nonetheless,
Nonetheless
✗ Incorrect
- "Nonetheless" suggests something happening despite an obstacle or contradiction
- There's no contradiction being set up in the passage - it's showing a natural evolution