When researchers evaluated a novel arthritis treatment under laboratory conditions, the outcomes were discouraging: merely 15 percent of participants ...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
When researchers evaluated a novel arthritis treatment under laboratory conditions, the outcomes were discouraging: merely 15 percent of participants achieved meaningful pain reduction in controlled testing environments. _______ the medication demonstrated exceptional effectiveness when used in practical applications, as almost 70 percent of users reported considerable enhancement in their everyday activities.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Consequently,
Likewise,
Nevertheless,
To illustrate,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "When researchers evaluated a novel arthritis treatment under laboratory conditions, the outcomes were discouraging: merely 15 percent of participants achieved meaningful pain reduction in controlled testing environments." |
|
| [MISSING TRANSITION] |
|
| "the medication demonstrated exceptional effectiveness when used in practical applications, as almost 70 percent of users reported considerable enhancement in their everyday activities." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: An arthritis treatment that failed in laboratory testing proved highly successful in real-world applications.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes poor laboratory results, then reveals dramatically better real-world performance, creating a clear contrast between controlled testing and practical use.
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
- We need a word that shows the contrast between the disappointing lab results (15% success) and the excellent real-world results (70% success)
- The transition should signal that what follows goes against what we would expect from the first part
Consequently,
- This shows cause and effect, suggesting the real-world success resulted from the lab failure
- Wrong relationship - we need contrast, not causation
Likewise,
- This shows similarity, suggesting both lab and real-world results were the same
- Completely wrong - the results are opposite, not similar
Nevertheless,
- This creates the perfect contrast between disappointing lab results and successful real-world outcomes
- Shows that despite the poor lab performance, the medication still proved effective in practice
To illustrate,
- This introduces an example, suggesting the real-world results demonstrate the lab results
- Wrong relationship - real-world results contradict rather than illustrate lab findings