The Amazon rainforest has long been celebrated as the 'lungs of the Earth' due to its vast capacity for carbon...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
The Amazon rainforest has long been celebrated as the 'lungs of the Earth' due to its vast capacity for carbon absorption and oxygen production. Environmental scientists have consistently emphasized the forest's crucial role in regulating global climate patterns. _____ recent studies indicate that sections of the Amazon may now be releasing more carbon dioxide than they absorb, fundamentally challenging our understanding of the forest's environmental impact.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For instance,
Similarly,
However,
Therefore,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'The Amazon rainforest has long been celebrated as the 'lungs of the Earth' due to its vast capacity for carbon absorption and oxygen production.' |
|
| 'Environmental scientists have consistently emphasized the forest's crucial role in regulating global climate patterns.' |
|
| '[MISSING TRANSITION]' |
|
| 'recent studies indicate that sections of the Amazon may now be releasing more carbon dioxide than they absorb, fundamentally challenging our understanding of the forest's environmental impact.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Recent studies are revealing that parts of the Amazon rainforest may actually be releasing more carbon dioxide than they absorb, which contradicts the forest's celebrated role as the 'lungs of the Earth.'
Argument Flow: The passage establishes the Amazon's long-held reputation as environmentally beneficial, then introduces new research that fundamentally challenges this understanding by showing some sections are net carbon producers rather than absorbers.
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
- We need a transition that shows the relationship between the established positive view of the Amazon (first two sentences) and the new contradictory research findings (final sentence)
- The first two sentences build up the Amazon's positive reputation
- The final sentence presents research that directly contradicts this by showing parts of the forest are actually releasing more \(\mathrm{CO_2}\) than they absorb
- So the right answer should signal a contrast or contradiction between these two different perspectives
For instance,
For instance,
✗ Incorrect
- This transition introduces examples or specific cases
- The new studies aren't examples of the Amazon's positive environmental role - they actually contradict it
- Trap: Students might think 'recent studies' sounds like it's providing an instance of scientific emphasis, but the content actually contradicts rather than exemplifies
Similarly,
Similarly,
✗ Incorrect
- This shows continuation or similarity between ideas
- The new research findings directly oppose the positive reputation, so there's no similarity to signal
However,
However,
✓ Correct
- This signals contrast or contradiction between ideas
- Perfect fit: contrasts the established positive view with new contradictory evidence
- Shows the logical shift from 'Amazon is good for climate' to 'actually, parts might be bad for climate'
Therefore,
Therefore,
✗ Incorrect
- This signals cause-and-effect or logical conclusion
- The new studies aren't a logical result of the Amazon's positive reputation - they're contradictory findings
- Trap: Students might think the scientific emphasis 'caused' more studies to be conducted, but the content relationship is opposition, not causation