When Dr. Elena Rodriguez published her research on chronic pain management in 2018, she questioned the standard reliance on pharmaceutical...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
When Dr. Elena Rodriguez published her research on chronic pain management in 2018, she questioned the standard reliance on pharmaceutical interventions for long-term treatment. _____ Rodriguez advocated for a comprehensive approach that integrated physical therapy, mindfulness techniques, and dietary modifications rather than depending primarily on medication.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
To elaborate,
Consequently,
Meanwhile,
Nevertheless,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "When Dr. Elena Rodriguez published her research on chronic pain management in 2018, she questioned the standard reliance on pharmaceutical interventions for long-term treatment." |
|
| [MISSING TRANSITION] |
|
| "Rodriguez advocated for a comprehensive approach that integrated physical therapy, mindfulness techniques, and dietary modifications rather than depending primarily on medication." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map:
[CONTEXT: Rodriguez's 2018 research]
↓
[MAIN CLAIM: Questioned standard pharmaceutical approach]
↓
[MISSING TRANSITION]
↓
[ELABORATION: Her specific comprehensive alternative approach]
Main Point: Dr. Rodriguez challenged the standard medication-focused approach to chronic pain management by advocating for a more comprehensive treatment method.
Argument Flow: The passage presents Rodriguez's research as questioning current practice, then moves to specify exactly what her alternative approach involved—a multi-faceted treatment plan rather than relying primarily on medications.
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 first sentence tells us Rodriguez questioned the standard approach
- The second sentence tells us what she advocated for instead
- So we need a transition that shows the second sentence is giving us more specific information about what that questioning looked like in practice—it's explaining or expanding on her position
- The logical relationship here is elaboration or specification
- The second sentence provides the details of what her questioning actually meant
To elaborate,
✓ Correct
- "To elaborate" signals that we're about to get more specific details about something just mentioned
- Perfectly fits the relationship—the second sentence gives us the specifics of what her "questioning" looked like
Consequently,
✗ Incorrect
- "Consequently" suggests the advocacy was a result or effect of the questioning
- Wrong relationship—the advocacy IS the questioning, not a separate result of it
Meanwhile,
✗ Incorrect
- "Meanwhile" suggests two things happening at the same time but independently
- Wrong relationship—we're not describing two separate simultaneous actions
Nevertheless,
✗ Incorrect
- "Nevertheless" suggests contrast or "despite this"
- Wrong relationship—there's no opposition between questioning the standard and advocating for alternatives