The Babylonian king Hammurabi achieved much during his forty-year reign. He conquered all of Mesopotamia and built Babylon into one...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
The Babylonian king Hammurabi achieved much during his forty-year reign. He conquered all of Mesopotamia and built Babylon into one of the most powerful cities of the ancient world. Today, ________ he is mainly remembered for a code of laws inscribed on a seven-foot-tall block of stone: the Code of Hammurabi.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
therefore,
likewise,
however,
for instance,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'The Babylonian king Hammurabi achieved much during his forty-year reign.' |
|
| 'He conquered all of Mesopotamia and built Babylon into one of the most powerful cities of the ancient world.' |
|
| 'Today,' |
|
| [MISSING TRANSITION] |
|
| 'he is mainly remembered for a code of laws inscribed on a seven-foot-tall block of stone: the Code of Hammurabi.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Despite Hammurabi's many political and military achievements, he is primarily remembered today for his legal contributions.
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 have a setup about Hammurabi's many impressive achievements - conquering territories and building a powerful city. Then we shift to today and need a connector before learning he's 'mainly remembered for a code of laws.'
- The key relationship here is contrast. We'd expect someone with such military and political achievements to be remembered for those accomplishments, but instead he's remembered for something completely different - his laws.
- The logical connector needs to signal this unexpected turn - that despite all these grand achievements, his legacy is actually something else entirely.
therefore,
- This suggests the law code is a logical consequence of his other achievements
- Creates wrong relationship - laws aren't caused by military conquests
likewise,
- This suggests the law code is similar to or in addition to his other achievements
- Misses the contrast between expectations and reality
however,
- Signals the contrast between his many achievements and what he's actually remembered for
- Shows that despite impressive military/political accomplishments, his legacy is different
for instance,
- This would make the law code an example of his achievements
- Treats laws as just another accomplishment rather than his primary legacy