When fossil fuels burn in power plants and vehicles, they release sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. These...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
When fossil fuels burn in power plants and vehicles, they release sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. These compounds react with water vapor and oxygen to form sulfuric and nitric acids. _______ precipitation becomes acidic, damaging forests, lakes, and buildings when it falls as acid rain.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Consequently,
For example,
In contrast,
Likewise,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "When fossil fuels burn in power plants and vehicles, they release sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere." |
|
| "These compounds react with water vapor and oxygen to form sulfuric and nitric acids." |
|
| "[MISSING TRANSITION]" |
|
| "precipitation becomes acidic, damaging forests, lakes, and buildings when it falls as acid rain." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map: CAUSE: Fossil fuels burn → PROCESS: Compounds react to form acids → [MISSING CONNECTOR] → RESULT: Acidic precipitation causes environmental damage
Main Point: The burning of fossil fuels creates a chain reaction that ultimately produces acid rain, which damages the environment.
Argument Flow: The passage traces a clear cause-and-effect sequence from fossil fuel combustion through chemical reactions to environmental damage.
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 chain: fossil fuels burn → compounds are released → acids form → precipitation becomes acidic
- The blank comes right before the final result, so we need a transition that shows "as a result of what we just described"
- The relationship needed is cause-effect, showing that the acid formation leads directly to acidic precipitation
Consequently,
- "Consequently" signals cause and effect, which perfectly matches our passage flow
- Shows that acidic precipitation is the direct result of acid formation
For example,
- "For example" introduces a specific instance of a broader concept
- The acidic precipitation is not an example but the inevitable result of the chemical process
In contrast,
- "In contrast" signals opposition or difference between ideas
- There is no contrast here - the acidic precipitation directly follows from the acid formation
Likewise,
- "Likewise" shows similarity or addition to what came before
- The acidic precipitation is not similar to acid formation but caused by it