The municipal recycling program initially required residents to sort materials into seven different categories, creating widespread confusion about pr...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
The municipal recycling program initially required residents to sort materials into seven different categories, creating widespread confusion about proper disposal methods. Contamination rates in recyclable collections reached 40%, significantly reducing the program's effectiveness. _____ city officials voted to streamline the system by reducing sorting requirements to just three categories.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Furthermore,
However,
Consequently,
For instance,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The municipal recycling program initially required residents to sort materials into seven different categories, creating widespread confusion about proper disposal methods." |
|
| "Contamination rates in recyclable collections reached 40%, significantly reducing the program's effectiveness." |
|
| "[MISSING TRANSITION]" |
|
| "city officials voted to streamline the system by reducing sorting requirements to just three categories." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: City officials simplified their recycling program from seven to three categories in response to high contamination rates caused by the original system's complexity.
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 have a clear cause-and-effect relationship
- The first part establishes problems (confusion and 40% contamination rates)
- The second part shows the officials' response (streamlining the system)
- We need a transition that shows the second part happened as a result of the first part
Furthermore,
- "Furthermore" adds information in the same direction
- This doesn't fit because the officials' decision isn't additional information about the problem - it's a response to the problem
However,
- "However" shows contrast or opposition
- The officials' decision doesn't contrast with the contamination problem - it directly responds to it
Consequently,
- Shows cause-and-effect relationship perfectly
- The high contamination rates and confusion caused the officials to take action
- Matches our prethinking exactly - officials streamlined as a result of the problems
For instance,
- "For instance" introduces an example
- The officials' decision isn't an example of contamination or confusion - it's a response to those problems