Recent excavations at the ancient Mayan site of El Mirador have uncovered extensive canal systems and raised agricultural fields spanning...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Recent excavations at the ancient Mayan site of El Mirador have uncovered extensive canal systems and raised agricultural fields spanning hundreds of square kilometers. _____ archaeologists now conclude that this region supported one of the largest urban centers in pre-Columbian America, with a population potentially exceeding 100,000 inhabitants.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Nevertheless,
Similarly,
Consequently,
Meanwhile,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Recent excavations at the ancient Mayan site of El Mirador have uncovered extensive canal systems and raised agricultural fields spanning hundreds of square kilometers." |
|
| "[MISSING TRANSITION]" |
|
| "archaeologists now conclude that this region supported one of the largest urban centers in pre-Columbian America, with a population potentially exceeding 100,000 inhabitants." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Archaeological discoveries at El Mirador show it was one of the largest pre-Columbian urban centers.
Argument Flow: The passage presents archaeological evidence first, then shows how this evidence supports a major conclusion about the site's historical significance. The missing transition should connect this evidence-to-conclusion relationship.
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 right answer should show that the archaeological evidence resulted in or led to the scientists' conclusion
- We need a transition that shows cause-and-effect relationship - the discoveries led to the conclusion
Nevertheless,
- "Nevertheless" signals contrast or opposition
- The conclusion doesn't contrast with the evidence - it flows from it
Similarly,
- "Similarly" suggests something comparable happened before
- There's no previous example or comparison mentioned in the passage
Consequently,
- "Consequently" shows cause and effect
- The archaeological findings (cause) led to the conclusion (effect)
- Perfectly matches the evidence-to-conclusion relationship we identified
Meanwhile,
- "Meanwhile" indicates simultaneous events
- The conclusion isn't happening at the same time as the excavations - it's a result of them