While most analysts predict continued market volatility, Richardson's forecast suggests stability ahead. Her optimistic projection appears _____ when ...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
While most analysts predict continued market volatility, Richardson's forecast suggests stability ahead. Her optimistic projection appears _____ when compared to the prevailing pessimistic outlook among her peers.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
premature
conventional
distinctive
misguided
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "While most analysts predict continued market volatility," |
|
| "Richardson's forecast suggests stability ahead." |
|
| "Her optimistic projection appears [MISSING WORD]" |
|
| "when compared to the prevailing pessimistic outlook among her peers." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Richardson's forecast differs significantly from the pessimistic predictions of most other market analysts.
Argument Flow: The text establishes that most analysts expect market volatility, then presents Richardson's opposing view of stability, and finally asks us to characterize how her optimistic forecast appears in contrast to her pessimistic peers.
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
- Richardson's view is optimistic while her peers' views are pessimistic
- Her forecast stands out from or differs from the majority opinion
- The word should capture how her positive outlook appears when set against negative outlooks from others
- It should emphasize the contrast or uniqueness of her position
- So the right answer should describe Richardson's forecast as standing out or being different from her peers' pessimistic views
premature
- This would mean her projection appears "too early" compared to others
- There's no time element in the passage - the contrast is about optimism vs. pessimism, not timing
- Doesn't capture the fundamental difference in outlook
conventional
- This would mean her projection appears "typical" or "standard"
- Actually contradicts the passage since her view differs from most analysts
- Students might think "conventional" fits because she's an analyst like the others, missing that her actual forecast content is unconventional
distinctive
- Means her projection appears "unique" or "different" compared to others
- Perfectly captures how an optimistic view stands out against prevailing pessimistic views
- Matches our prethinking about her forecast being notably different from her peers
misguided
- This would mean her projection appears "wrong" or "mistaken"
- The passage presents no evidence that her view is incorrect - just that it's different
- Students might assume the minority view must be wrong, but the passage is neutral about accuracy