Traditional lecture-based teaching methods have dominated university classrooms for decades. These approaches often result in passive student engageme...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Traditional lecture-based teaching methods have dominated university classrooms for decades. These approaches often result in passive student engagement and limited retention. _____ active learning techniques encourage student participation and improve comprehension.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Similarly,
For instance,
Therefore,
In contrast,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Traditional lecture-based teaching methods have dominated university classrooms for decades.' |
|
| 'These approaches often result in passive student engagement and limited retention.' |
|
| '[MISSING TRANSITION]' |
|
| 'active learning techniques encourage student participation and improve comprehension.' |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Traditional lecture methods have problems that active learning techniques can solve.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes that traditional teaching methods are dominant but problematic, then presents active learning as an approach with opposite, positive characteristics.
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 transition must show the relationship between traditional methods (passive, poor retention) and active learning (participatory, good comprehension)
- We need a connector that highlights the opposition between these two approaches
- The relationship is clearly contrasting: traditional methods are problematic while active learning is beneficial
- So the right answer should signal a contrast or opposition between the two teaching approaches
Similarly,
Similarly
✗ Incorrect
- Would suggest both approaches are alike or have similar outcomes
- This contradicts our analysis - traditional methods cause problems while active learning solves them
For instance,
For instance
✗ Incorrect
- Would suggest active learning is an example of traditional lecture-based methods
- This makes no sense - active learning is presented as different from traditional approaches
Therefore,
Therefore
✗ Incorrect
- Would suggest active learning is a result or consequence of traditional methods
- This doesn't match the passage logic - active learning isn't caused by traditional methods
In contrast,
In contrast
✓ Correct
- Perfectly signals the opposition between traditional methods (passive, poor retention) and active learning (participatory, better comprehension)
- Matches our prethinking about needing a contrasting connector
- Creates the logical flow: traditional methods have problems, but in contrast, active learning has benefits