Small coffee roasters have embraced direct-trade partnerships to ensure quality and support farmers. Portland-based Stumptown Coffee established long-...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Small coffee roasters have embraced direct-trade partnerships to ensure quality and support farmers. Portland-based Stumptown Coffee established long-term relationships with growers in Central America. ______ Denver's Kaladi Coffee chose to work through established importers rather than forming direct partnerships.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Similarly,
However,
For example,
In conclusion,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Small coffee roasters have embraced direct-trade partnerships to ensure quality and support farmers.' |
|
| 'Portland-based Stumptown Coffee established long-term relationships with growers in Central America.' |
|
| '[MISSING TRANSITION]' |
|
| 'Denver's Kaladi Coffee chose to work through established importers rather than forming direct partnerships.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: While many small coffee roasters pursue direct-trade partnerships with farmers, not all follow this approach.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes a general trend of direct-trade partnerships among small roasters, then provides an example that supports this trend, followed by a contrasting example that shows a different business approach.
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
- From our analysis, we see that before the blank we have Stumptown Coffee following the direct-trade trend by establishing direct relationships with growers
- After the blank, we have Kaladi Coffee doing the exact opposite - working through importers instead of forming direct partnerships
- The missing connector needs to signal this contrast between two different business approaches
- We need a transition that shows Kaladi Coffee's approach contradicts or differs from both the general trend and Stumptown's specific example
- So the right answer should indicate a contrasting or opposing relationship between the two examples
Similarly,
Similarly,
✗ Incorrect
- Signals that what follows matches or parallels what came before
- Does not work because Kaladi's approach (using importers) is the opposite of Stumptown's approach (direct relationships)
- What trap this represents: Students might focus only on both being coffee companies and miss the contrasting business strategies
However,
However,
✓ Correct
- Shows contrast between what came before and what follows
- Perfectly captures that Kaladi chose a different path from both the general trend and Stumptown's example
- Matches our prethinking about needing a contrasting relationship
For example,
For example,
✗ Incorrect
- Would suggest Kaladi is another example of the direct-trade trend
- Does not work because Kaladi actually does the opposite of direct partnerships
- What trap this represents: Students might see this as another coffee company example and miss that it's a contrasting approach
In conclusion,
In conclusion,
✗ Incorrect
- Signals a final summarizing statement
- Does not work because this is not wrapping up the discussion but presenting a contrasting case