The envelope-shaped paper bags common in the US 150 years ago were impractical for carrying goods. _______ because they were...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
The envelope-shaped paper bags common in the US 150 years ago were impractical for carrying goods. _______ because they were the only paper bags that could be mass-produced, these bags dominated the market. That all changed in the 1870s, when industrial designer Margaret Knight patented a machine to make flat-bottomed, foldable paper bags.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
However,
For instance,
Thus,
In other words,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The envelope-shaped paper bags common in the US 150 years ago were impractical for carrying goods." |
|
| "[MISSING TRANSITION]" |
|
| "because they were the only paper bags that could be mass-produced, these bags dominated the market." |
|
| "That all changed in the 1870s, when industrial designer Margaret Knight patented a machine to make flat-bottomed, foldable paper bags." |
|
Main Point: Margaret Knight's innovation in the 1870s replaced impractical envelope-shaped bags that had dominated the market simply because they were the only mass-producible option.
Argument Flow: The passage sets up a paradox - bags that were impractical still dominated the market due to manufacturing limitations. Knight's patent resolved this contradiction by creating better bags that could also be mass-produced.
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 contradiction: the bags were impractical BUT they still dominated the market
- The sentence after the blank explains why this seemingly contradictory situation occurred - they were the only option for mass production
- The right transition word needs to signal this contradiction or unexpected relationship
However,
✓ Correct
- Creates the perfect contrast between impractical bags and market dominance
- Signals the unexpected relationship - despite the flaw, they succeeded
For instance,
✗ Incorrect
- Introduces an example, but the second part isn't an example of impracticality
- The mass production explanation doesn't illustrate the impracticality - it explains success despite impracticality
Thus,
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests the market dominance was a result of being impractical
- Creates illogical cause-and-effect
- Completely misses the contradictory relationship in the passage
In other words,
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests the second statement restates or clarifies the first
- Market dominance doesn't rephrase "impractical for carrying goods"
- Creates confusion rather than logical flow