Online learning platforms have revolutionized access to education, enabling students worldwide to participate in courses previously available only at ...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Online learning platforms have revolutionized access to education, enabling students worldwide to participate in courses previously available only at elite institutions. These digital tools have democratized learning opportunities across economic and geographic boundaries. _____ recent studies indicate that online education has significantly improved completion rates among non-traditional students, particularly working adults and parents.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
However,
Furthermore,
For instance,
Nevertheless,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Online learning platforms have revolutionized access to education, enabling students worldwide to participate in courses previously available only at elite institutions." |
|
| "These digital tools have democratized learning opportunities across economic and geographic boundaries." |
|
| [MISSING TRANSITION] |
|
| "recent studies indicate that online education has significantly improved completion rates among non-traditional students, particularly working adults and parents." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Online learning platforms have fundamentally transformed education by making it accessible globally and proving effective for diverse student populations.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes online education as revolutionary in breaking down access barriers, then moves to provide concrete evidence of its effectiveness through research on completion rates for non-traditional learners.
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 table, the sentences before the blank discuss the transformative and democratizing effects of online education in broad, positive terms
- The sentence after the blank provides specific research evidence that supports these positive claims about online education's benefits
- The logical relationship we need is one that continues the positive discussion and introduces supporting evidence
- We're moving from general claims about online education's revolutionary impact to specific research that backs up these claims
- So the right answer should signal that we're adding more positive information or evidence that supports what we've already established about online education's benefits
However,
✗ Incorrect
- Creates a contrasting relationship, suggesting the research contradicts the previous positive claims
- Doesn't match the logical flow since both sentences support online education's benefits
Furthermore,
✓ Correct
- Creates an additive relationship that continues building the positive case for online education
- Logically connects the broad claims about democratization with specific research evidence
- Matches our prethinking by signaling additional supporting information
For instance,
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests the research is an example of the democratization mentioned earlier
- The studies aren't exemplifying democratization—they're providing separate evidence of effectiveness
Nevertheless,
✗ Incorrect
- Creates a contrasting relationship despite previous information
- Implies the research somehow contradicts or qualifies the earlier positive claims
- Same logical problem as However—both parts of the passage are aligned, not contrasting