The Inca of South America used intricately knotted string devices called quipus to record countable information, like population data and...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
The Inca of South America used intricately knotted string devices called quipus to record countable information, like population data and payments. ______ they may have used quipus to record more complex information, like stories and myths, according to researchers.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
As a result,
In other words,
In addition,
For example,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'The Inca of South America used intricately knotted string devices called quipus to record countable information, like population data and payments.' |
|
| [MISSING TRANSITION] |
|
| 'they may have used quipus to record more complex information, like stories and myths, according to researchers.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map:
[ESTABLISHED USE] Quipus used for countable info (population, payments) → [MISSING CONNECTOR] → [ADDITIONAL POSSIBLE USE] Quipus may have recorded complex info (stories, myths)
Main Point: Quipus may have served more purposes than just recording numerical data.
Argument Flow: The passage starts by establishing what we know quipus were used for (countable information), then suggests researchers believe they may have had additional, more complex uses (recording stories and myths).
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 first sentence establishes one use of quipus (recording countable data), and the second sentence presents a different, additional possible use (recording stories and myths)
- We need a connector that shows we're adding more information - going from 'they used quipus for X' to 'they may have also used quipus for Y'
- This is an additive relationship, not cause-and-effect, clarification, or example-giving
- So the right answer should signal that we're adding additional information about what quipus could do
As a result,
✗ Incorrect
- 'As a result' indicates cause and effect
- This would suggest that using quipus for stories/myths was a consequence of using them for population data, but there's no causal relationship presented
- Trap: Students might think any two connected ideas need a cause-and-effect transition
In other words,
✗ Incorrect
- 'In other words' signals clarification or rephrasing
- This would suggest that recording stories/myths is the same as recording population data, but these are clearly different types of information
- The second sentence isn't clarifying the first—it's adding new information
In addition,
✓ Correct
- 'In addition' signals that we're adding more information
- Perfectly matches the logical relationship: we learn one use of quipus, then we learn about an additional possible use
- Creates the flow: 'they used quipus for countable info + they may have also used them for complex info'
For example,
✗ Incorrect
- 'For example' would suggest that stories/myths are examples of 'countable information'
- But stories and myths are specifically described as 'more complex information,' contrasting with the countable data mentioned first
- The passage presents these as different categories, not examples of the same category