Recent environmental assessments revealed concerning levels of soil contamination in the proposed downtown development site, with heavy metals detecte...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Recent environmental assessments revealed concerning levels of soil contamination in the proposed downtown development site, with heavy metals detected at concentrations exceeding EPA guidelines. _____ geological surveys confirmed the presence of additional pollutants in groundwater samples, reinforcing the city council's decision to halt construction pending comprehensive remediation.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Nevertheless,
In contrast,
Furthermore,
Specifically,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Recent environmental assessments revealed concerning levels of soil contamination in the proposed downtown development site, with heavy metals detected at concentrations exceeding EPA guidelines.' |
|
| '[MISSING TRANSITION]' |
|
| 'geological surveys confirmed the presence of additional pollutants in groundwater samples, reinforcing the city council's decision to halt construction pending comprehensive remediation.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Environmental contamination at the development site has led the city council to halt construction until remediation is complete.
Argument Flow: The passage presents a clear cause-and-effect structure where multiple types of environmental contamination serve as evidence supporting the decision to halt construction.
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, the first sentence gives us one type of environmental problem (soil contamination), and the second sentence gives us another type of environmental problem (groundwater contamination) that adds to the evidence supporting the same conclusion
- The word 'additional' in the second sentence is a key clue - it's building on what we already know
- We need a transition that shows continuation or addition, not contrast or opposition
- The relationship is: 'Here's one problem... [CONNECTOR] here's another problem that adds to the evidence.'
- So the right answer should signal that we're adding more evidence of the same type to support the same conclusion
Nevertheless,
✗ Incorrect
- 'Nevertheless' signals contrast or contradiction
- Would suggest the geological surveys contradict the soil contamination findings
- Doesn't match the additive relationship shown by 'additional pollutants'
In contrast,
✗ Incorrect
- 'In contrast' explicitly signals opposition between ideas
- Would suggest groundwater findings oppose soil findings
- Contradicts the passage's logic where both findings support the same decision
Furthermore,
✓ Correct
- 'Furthermore' signals addition and continuation
- Perfect for introducing additional evidence of the same type
- Matches the word 'additional' in describing the groundwater pollutants
- Creates smooth logical flow from soil evidence to groundwater evidence
Specifically,
✗ Incorrect
- 'Specifically' introduces details or examples of something already mentioned
- Geological surveys aren't specific details of environmental assessments - they're separate investigations providing additional evidence