The vaccine's effectiveness was by no means ______ in the clinical trials; researchers documented significant protection rates across all demographic...

GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions

Source: Prism

Craft and Structure

Words in Context

HARD

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Notes

Post a Query

The vaccine's effectiveness was by no means ______ in the clinical trials; researchers documented significant protection rates across all demographic groups. Still, questions remain about optimal distribution strategies in rural communities.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

evident

concerning

unclear

promising

Solution

Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage

Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table

Text from Passage	Analysis
"The vaccine's effectiveness was by no means"	What it says: vaccine results not [missing descriptor] What it does: Introduces vaccine trial results with negative framing What it is: Opening claim setup
[MISSING WORD/PHRASE]	What it is: Missing descriptive word
"in the clinical trials;"	What it says: during testing phase What it does: Specifies where the effectiveness was measured What it is: Context/setting
"researchers documented significant protection rates across all demographic groups."	What it says: scientists recorded high protection for all groups What it does: Provides specific evidence about vaccine performance What it is: Supporting evidence
"Still, questions remain about optimal distribution strategies in rural communities."	What it says: but distribution challenges in rural areas What it does: Contrasts with positive trial results by noting ongoing challenges What it is: Qualifying statement

Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements

Main Point: Vaccine trials showed clear effectiveness across all groups, though distribution challenges persist in rural areas.

Argument Flow: The passage establishes that vaccine effectiveness had a certain quality in trials, then immediately clarifies that researchers found significant protection across demographics. However, it concludes by noting that practical implementation questions remain.

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

The key is understanding the relationship between "by no means [blank]" and the evidence that follows
The phrase "by no means" means "definitely not" or "not at all"
Since researchers documented significant protection rates across all demographic groups, this suggests the trials provided clear, convincing evidence of effectiveness
So we need a word that, when negated by "by no means," aligns with having documented significant protection rates
If the results were strong and clear, then the effectiveness was "by no means unclear" or "by no means uncertain"

Answer Choices Explained

evident

✗ Incorrect

"By no means evident" would mean the effectiveness was not clear, contradicting the documented significant protection rates

concerning

✗ Incorrect

"By no means concerning" does not logically connect to the evidence about protection rates in a meaningful way

unclear

✓ Correct

"By no means unclear" means the effectiveness was definitely clear, which perfectly aligns with researchers documenting significant protection rates

promising

✗ Incorrect

"By no means promising" would suggest the vaccine was not promising, contradicting the significant protection rates documented

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