The number of dark spots that appear on the Sun, known as sunspots, can vary greatly. For example, there were...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
The number of dark spots that appear on the Sun, known as sunspots, can vary greatly. For example, there were about 180 sunspots in November 2001. ______ there were only about 2 sunspots in December 2008.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'The number of dark spots that appear on the Sun, known as sunspots, can vary greatly.' |
|
| 'For example, there were about 180 sunspots in November 2001.' |
|
| [MISSING TRANSITION] |
|
| 'there were only about 2 sunspots in December 2008.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Sunspot numbers can vary dramatically over time.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes that sunspots vary greatly, then provides a specific example from 2001 showing high numbers, followed by a contrasting example from 2008 showing very low numbers to demonstrate just how extreme this variation can be.
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
- Let me first think about what the right answer should tell us:
- Looking at our table, we see we have 180 sunspots in 2001 followed by only 2 sunspots in 2008. That is a massive difference - from 180 down to just 2. The second example is not just different; it is dramatically opposite and shows the extreme nature of sunspot variation.
- The transition needs to:
- Acknowledge we are moving to another example
- Signal that this second example contrasts with or compares to the first
- Set up the dramatic difference we are about to see
- So the right answer should introduce a contrasting comparison that shows how the 2008 data differs from the 2001 data.
'In other words,'
- This phrase signals that we are about to restate or rephrase the same information. But we are not restating—we are giving a completely different example with different numbers from a different year. ✗ Incorrect
'Similarly,'
- This signals that the second example will be like the first one. But 180 sunspots vs. 2 sunspots are completely different—they are opposites, not similar. ✗ Incorrect
'Therefore,'
- This indicates the second example is a logical consequence of the first. But there is no cause-and-effect relationship between November 2001 having 180 sunspots and December 2008 having 2 sunspots. These are just two independent data points showing variation. ✗ Incorrect
'By comparison,'
- This phrase perfectly sets up a comparison between the two time periods. It signals we are about to see how different the 2008 data is from the 2001 data. It matches our prethinking by introducing a contrasting example that highlights the dramatic variation in sunspot numbers. ✓ Correct