There are three basic steps you should follow when planning a scientific inquiry. First, thoroughly research the question you wish...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
There are three basic steps you should follow when planning a scientific inquiry. First, thoroughly research the question you wish to answer. _______ come up with a prediction (also called a hypothesis) about the answer to your question. Third, develop an experiment that can test the accuracy of your hypothesis.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "There are three basic steps you should follow when planning a scientific inquiry." |
|
| "First, thoroughly research the question you wish to answer." |
|
| "[MISSING TRANSITION]" |
|
| "come up with a prediction (also called a hypothesis) about the answer to your question." |
|
| "Third, develop an experiment that can test the accuracy of your hypothesis." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: There are three essential steps for planning scientific inquiry: research, hypothesis formation, and experiment design.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes a three-step framework, then methodically presents each step in order, with the missing transition serving as the connector between the first and second steps in this instructional sequence.
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 table, we see that the blank comes after "First" and before what is clearly the second step of a three-step process
- The sentence after the blank describes creating a hypothesis, and this is followed by "Third" for the final step
- The right transition needs to signal that we're moving to the second step in this numbered sequence
- ✗ Incorrect
- "Therefore" signals a conclusion or result based on what came before
- This doesn't fit because we're not concluding anything from step one - we're moving to the next instruction in the sequence
- ✗ Incorrect
- "Instead" signals contrast or an alternative to what was just mentioned
- This doesn't work because creating a hypothesis isn't an alternative to research - it's the next step after research
- ✗ Incorrect
- "For example" introduces a specific illustration of a general concept
- Creating a hypothesis isn't an example of researching - it's a separate step in the process
- ✓ Correct
- "Second" clearly indicates we're moving to the second step in the numbered sequence
- This perfectly matches the structure: "First... Second... Third..."