Music educators have traditionally emphasized individual practice sessions where students work independently to develop technical proficiency on their...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Music educators have traditionally emphasized individual practice sessions where students work independently to develop technical proficiency on their instruments. This methodology allows teachers to address each student's specific weaknesses and monitor individual progress closely. _______ ensemble-based learning provides additional collaborative performance skills and group musical interpretation that complement individual technical development.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Furthermore,
To illustrate,
First,
Alternatively,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Music educators have traditionally emphasized individual practice sessions where students work independently to develop technical proficiency on their instruments." |
|
| "This methodology allows teachers to address each student's specific weaknesses and monitor individual progress closely." |
|
| "ensemble-based learning provides additional collaborative performance skills and group musical interpretation that complement individual technical development." |
|
Main Point and Argument Flow
Main Point: Music education benefits from both individual practice (for technical skills) and ensemble learning (for collaborative skills), with both approaches working together.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes individual practice as the traditional and beneficial approach for developing technical skills. It then introduces ensemble-based learning as an additional valuable approach that provides different but complementary skills, working alongside rather than replacing individual practice.
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 relationship we need is between individual practice (traditional approach with specific benefits) and ensemble-based learning (provides different skills that complement individual development)
- The key word is complement - this tells us ensemble learning works WITH individual practice, not against it or instead of it
- So the right answer should show that ensemble learning is an additional beneficial approach that works together with individual practice
Furthermore,
✓ Correct
- Signals that we're adding another point or approach
- Fits perfectly because ensemble learning is presented as an additional valuable method
- Matches the complement relationship - both approaches work together
To illustrate,
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests the following information will be an example of what was just discussed
- Ensemble-based learning isn't an example of individual practice - it's a different approach entirely
First,
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests this is the beginning of a numbered sequence
- There's no second or continuation of a sequence in the passage
- Creates an incomplete logical structure
Alternatively,
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests a choice between options or a contrasting approach
- But the passage explicitly says ensemble learning complements individual development