Online retailers invest heavily in sophisticated recommendation algorithms, believing these systems will increase customer purchases and drive revenue...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Online retailers invest heavily in sophisticated recommendation algorithms, believing these systems will increase customer purchases and drive revenue growth. ______ recent studies suggest that personalized recommendations often overwhelm consumers with choices, leading to decision paralysis rather than increased sales.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Additionally,
For example,
However,
As a result,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Online retailers invest heavily in sophisticated recommendation algorithms, believing these systems will increase customer purchases and drive revenue growth." |
|
| [MISSING TRANSITION] |
|
| "recent studies suggest that personalized recommendations often overwhelm consumers with choices, leading to decision paralysis rather than increased sales." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map:
RETAILERS' BELIEF: Recommendation algorithms = increased sales → MISSING CONNECTOR → RESEARCH REALITY: Studies show: recommendations = decision paralysis = fewer sales
Main Point:
While retailers believe recommendation algorithms boost sales, research suggests they actually hurt sales by overwhelming customers.
Argument Flow:
The passage sets up retailers' expectations about recommendation systems, then presents contradictory research findings that challenge this belief.
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 sentence before the blank presents retailers' positive belief about recommendation algorithms
- The sentence after the blank presents research that shows the opposite effect
- We need a transition that signals this contrast or contradiction
- The logical relationship is: "Retailers think X, but research shows Y"
- The right answer should signal a contrast between retailers' expectations and research reality
Additionally,
✗ Incorrect
- "Additionally" signals continuation or adding similar information
- This would suggest the research supports retailers' beliefs, but it actually contradicts them
- What trap this represents: Students might choose this if they focus only on adding new information rather than recognizing the contrasting relationship
For example,
✗ Incorrect
- "For example" introduces a specific instance of a general principle
- The studies aren't examples of retailers' beliefs—they contradict those beliefs
- This would incorrectly suggest the research proves retailers are right
However,
✓ Correct
- "However" perfectly signals the contrast between retailers' expectations and research findings
- It shows that what follows contradicts or challenges what came before
- This matches our prethinking about needing a contrast transition
As a result,
✗ Incorrect
- "As a result" shows cause and effect—that the studies happened because of retailers' investments
- But the studies aren't a result of the investments; they're independent research about the effectiveness
- What trap this represents: Students might think chronologically (retailers invest, then studies happen) rather than logically (contrasting viewpoints)