Washington D.C.'s Federal Triangle features neoclassical buildings that appear architecturally unified to most visitors. _______ trained architectural...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Washington D.C.'s Federal Triangle features neoclassical buildings that appear architecturally unified to most visitors. _______ trained architectural historians recognize distinct differences—the Department of Commerce Building incorporates 1930s Art Deco elements, contrasting with the Treasury Building's pure Greek Revival style from the 1840s.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Nevertheless,
For example,
Moreover,
Therefore,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Washington D.C.'s Federal Triangle features neoclassical buildings that appear architecturally unified to most visitors. |
|
| [MISSING TRANSITION] |
|
| trained architectural historians recognize distinct differences—the Department of Commerce Building incorporates 1930s Art Deco elements, contrasting with the Treasury Building's pure Greek Revival style from the 1840s. |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: While Federal Triangle buildings appear unified to casual observers, architectural experts can identify distinct stylistic differences between individual buildings.
Argument Flow: The passage presents a contrast between general perception (unity) and expert analysis (diversity). It moves from the common impression to the specialized understanding, providing specific examples of the architectural differences historians can detect.
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 contrast between the general perception (unified appearance) and the expert perspective (distinct differences)
- It needs to signal that despite what was just said about unity, there's an opposing viewpoint
- The word should indicate that trained historians see something different from what most visitors see
- So the right answer should be a contrast transition that signals despite what was just stated about unity, experts see the opposite
Nevertheless,
✓ Correct
- Creates the perfect contrast between general perception and expert analysis
- Shows that despite the unified appearance to most visitors, trained historians recognize differences
- Matches our prethinking about needing a contrast transition
For example,
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests the historian's view supports or illustrates the unified appearance
- This doesn't make logical sense since historians see differences, not unity
Moreover,
✗ Incorrect
- Adds supporting information in the same direction
- Would suggest historians also see unity, contradicting the actual content about differences
- Creates a logical contradiction in the passage
Therefore,
✗ Incorrect
- Indicates the historian's view is a result or conclusion from the unified appearance
- Doesn't make sense logically - seeing differences isn't a result of seeing unity