The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project is anticipated to generate 2.6 gigawatts of energy, enough to power almost one million...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project is anticipated to generate 2.6 gigawatts of energy, enough to power almost one million homes. As its name indicates, the project—currently in development—consists of wind turbines located off the Virginia coast. ______ the project plan calls for 176 large turbines to be placed at a site 27 miles east of Virginia Beach.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project is anticipated to generate 2.6 gigawatts of energy, enough to power almost one million homes.' | What it says: VA offshore wind project generates 2.6 GW, powers ~1M homes What it does: Introduces the project and its energy capacity What it is: Project introduction with quantified impact |
| 'As its name indicates, the project—currently in development—consists of wind turbines located off the Virginia coast.' | What it says: Project = wind turbines off VA coast (in development) What it does: Explains what the project consists of and its general location What it is: Project description and basic location |
| '______' | What it is: Missing logical connector |
| 'the project plan calls for 176 large turbines to be placed at a site 27 miles east of Virginia Beach.' | What it says: Plan = 176 large turbines, 27 mi E of VA Beach What it does: Provides specific details about turbine number and exact location What it is: Specific project details |
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project will use 176 turbines located 27 miles east of Virginia Beach to generate significant renewable energy.
Argument Flow: The passage introduces the project's energy capacity and impact, explains its general nature and location, then provides specific implementation details about the exact number and placement of turbines.
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 analysis, we see the passage moves from general information about the project (it's offshore wind turbines off the Virginia coast) to very specific details (exactly 176 turbines placed 27 miles east of Virginia Beach)
- This is a classic progression from broad description to precise specifics
- The transition we need should signal that we're about to get more exact or detailed information
- It should indicate precision or specificity rather than cause-and-effect, contrast, or conclusion
- So the right answer should indicate that we're moving from general description to specific, precise details
- 'To be exact' perfectly signals the shift from general description to precise details
- Matches our prethinking about needing a precision indicator
- Creates the logical flow: general location to specific measurement and placement
- 'In conclusion' suggests we're wrapping up or summarizing
- The specific details that follow aren't a conclusion—they're new, more precise information
- What trap this represents: Students might think any final detail is a conclusion, but conclusions summarize rather than add new specific information
- 'As a result' indicates cause and effect
- The 176 turbines aren't a result of the general description—they're a more specific version of the same information
- Creates illogical causation where none exists
- 'In contrast' signals opposition or difference
- The specific details don't contradict the general description—they specify it
- Would wrongly suggest the exact location contradicts being 'off the Virginia coast'