The spectrometer in Dr. Martinez's laboratory had consistently delivered reliable data throughout the research project. Recent calibration attempts, t...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
The spectrometer in Dr. Martinez's laboratory had consistently delivered reliable data throughout the research project. Recent calibration attempts, though, failed to resolve the instrument's sudden tendency to produce inconsistent readings. _______ the research team decided to halt their current experiment while technicians investigated the equipment issues.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Consequently,
For instance,
In contrast,
Likewise,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The spectrometer in Dr. Martinez's laboratory had consistently delivered reliable data throughout the research project." |
|
| "Recent calibration attempts, though, failed to resolve the instrument's sudden tendency to produce inconsistent readings." |
|
| [MISSING TRANSITION] |
|
| "the research team decided to halt their current experiment while technicians investigated the equipment issues." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Equipment problems forced the research team to suspend their work until the issues could be resolved.
Argument Flow: The passage moves from establishing normal conditions (reliable equipment) to presenting a problem (equipment malfunction that calibration couldn't fix) to showing the logical response (halting the experiment). The missing transition should connect the problem to the team's decision.
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 cause-and-effect situation
- The equipment problems that couldn't be resolved (cause) led to the team's decision to halt the experiment (effect)
- The transition needs to show this logical connection - that the team's action was a direct result of the equipment issues
Consequently,
✓ Correct
- "Consequently" perfectly signals cause and effect
- Shows the team's decision was a direct result of the equipment problems
- Matches our prethinking exactly - the halt was the logical consequence of unresolvable equipment issues
For instance,
✗ Incorrect
- "For instance" introduces an example
- Makes no sense here - halting the experiment isn't an example of equipment problems
- Trap: Students might think this introduces an example of how the team dealt with problems, but the sentence describes a consequence, not an example
In contrast,
✗ Incorrect
- "In contrast" shows opposition or difference
- The team's decision doesn't contrast with the equipment problems - it directly results from them
- Creates an illogical relationship between connected events
Likewise,
✗ Incorrect
- "Likewise" shows similarity or addition
- The team's decision isn't similar to equipment problems - it's caused by them
- Suggests the team's action is another type of problem rather than a response to the problem