The detective's initial investigation of the downtown break-in focused on forced entry evidence and missing electronics. Witnesses reported suspicious...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
The detective's initial investigation of the downtown break-in focused on forced entry evidence and missing electronics. Witnesses reported suspicious activity near the building that same evening. ______ forensic analysis of fingerprints and security footage from neighboring businesses provided the crucial evidence needed to identify the perpetrator.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Instead,
Subsequently,
Nevertheless,
In conclusion,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'The detective's initial investigation of the downtown break-in focused on forced entry evidence and missing electronics.' |
|
| 'Witnesses reported suspicious activity near the building that same evening.' |
|
| '[MISSING TRANSITION]' |
|
| 'forensic analysis of fingerprints and security footage from neighboring businesses provided the crucial evidence needed to identify the perpetrator.' |
|
Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: A criminal investigation progressed from initial evidence gathering to the forensic breakthrough that identified the suspect.
Argument Flow: The passage shows a chronological progression of investigation steps. We start with the detective's initial focus and witness reports, then move to the forensic work that ultimately cracked the case. The missing transition needs to connect these investigation phases logically.
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 passage analysis, we have a clear sequence: initial investigation steps (detective's focus + witness reports) followed by the forensic breakthrough that solved everything
- The relationship here is chronological progression - the forensic analysis happened as the next step in the investigation process, building on what came before
- The missing connector needs to show that the forensic analysis was the subsequent step that followed the initial investigation work
- So the right answer should signal 'what happened next' or 'as a result of these initial steps' - essentially showing forward movement in the investigation timeline
Instead,
'Instead'
✗ Incorrect
- Signals contrast or replacement - that we're doing something different from what was mentioned before
- This doesn't fit because forensic analysis wasn't replacing the initial investigation; it was continuing and building on it
Subsequently,
'Subsequently'
✓ Correct
- Means 'following in time' or 'as a consequence'
- This perfectly captures the chronological progression from initial investigation steps to the forensic breakthrough
- Matches our prethinking about showing forward movement in the investigation timeline
Nevertheless,
'Nevertheless'
✗ Incorrect
- Means 'despite what was just mentioned' - it introduces something that contrasts with or overcomes a previous limitation
- This doesn't work because there's no sense that the forensic analysis succeeded despite the initial investigation being problematic
In conclusion,
'In conclusion'
✗ Incorrect
- Signals that we're wrapping up or summarizing the entire discussion
- The forensic analysis isn't a summary of what came before - it's a new development that built on the initial work