As the author of over fifty novels spanning six decades, Ursula K. Le Guin established herself as a ______ voice...

Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage

Part A: Passage Analysis Table

Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements

Main Point: Ursula K. Le Guin established herself as a significant literary voice, as evidenced by her innovative approach and widespread influence.

Argument Flow: The passage establishes Le Guin's extensive credentials, then characterizes her literary voice (missing element), and supports this characterization with concrete evidence of her innovative methods and influence on both other writers and the genre itself.

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 missing word must describe what kind of "voice in American literature" Le Guin established herself as
• The evidence that follows tells us she had "innovative exploration," "influenced countless writers," and "expanded the boundaries of speculative fiction"
• The relationship needed is one where the descriptor matches the evidence - someone whose approach was innovative and whose impact was substantial and influential