Progressive educators emphasize student-centered learning that responds to individual needs and interests. _____ at Montessori schools, children choos...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Progressive educators emphasize student-centered learning that responds to individual needs and interests. _____ at Montessori schools, children choose their own activities from carefully prepared environments and work at their own pace rather than following rigid schedules. This approach has shown remarkable success in fostering both independence and academic achievement.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
However,
For instance,
Consequently,
Nevertheless,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Progressive educators emphasize student-centered learning that responds to individual needs and interests.' |
|
| '[MISSING TRANSITION]' |
|
| 'at Montessori schools, children choose their own activities from carefully prepared environments and work at their own pace rather than following rigid schedules.' |
|
| 'This approach has shown remarkable success in fostering both independence and academic achievement.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map:
[GENERAL CONCEPT] Progressive education philosophy → [MISSING CONNECTOR] → [SPECIFIC EXAMPLE] Montessori schools implementation → [RESULTS] Success in independence & achievement
Main Point: Progressive student-centered education, as exemplified by Montessori schools, successfully develops both independence and academic achievement.
Argument Flow: The passage moves from a general educational philosophy to a specific real-world application, then shows the positive results. The missing transition needs to connect the broad concept to the concrete example.
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 analysis, we have a general statement about progressive education followed by specific information about Montessori schools
- The sentence after the blank is showing us a concrete example of the philosophy mentioned in the first sentence
- We need a transition that signals 'here is a specific case of what I just described'
- The relationship is one where we are moving from general principle to specific illustration
However,
✗ Incorrect
- 'However' signals contrast or opposition
- Nothing in the Montessori description contradicts progressive education - it actually supports it
- Creates a logical disconnect when the ideas should flow together
For instance,
✓ Correct
- 'For instance' perfectly signals that we are about to see a specific example
- The Montessori schools description is exactly that - a concrete illustration of student-centered learning
- Creates the logical flow from general principle (progressive education) to specific application (Montessori)
Consequently,
✗ Incorrect
- 'Consequently' indicates cause and effect
- The Montessori example is not a result of the first sentence - it is an example of it
- Trap: Students might think this works because Montessori schools exist 'as a result' of progressive education philosophy, but the passage is showing illustration, not causation
Nevertheless,
✗ Incorrect
- 'Nevertheless' signals contrast despite expectations, similar to 'however'
- Creates opposition where none exists
- The Montessori information supports rather than contrasts with progressive education