While most economic think tanks predicted modest GDP growth for the coming year, the congressional budget office projected significantly higher...

GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions

Source: Prism

Craft and Structure

Words in Context

MEDIUM

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While most economic think tanks predicted modest GDP growth for the coming year, the congressional budget office projected significantly higher expansion rates. This optimistic forecast reflects the considerable _____ that economists have developed regarding new market indicators, as policy researchers increasingly embrace data sources that were once considered unreliable.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

skepticism

confidence

research

funding

Solution

Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage

Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table

Text from Passage	Analysis
"While most economic think tanks predicted modest GDP growth for the coming year,"	What it says: Most think tanks forecast modest GDP growth What it does: Establishes the general expectation What it is: Opening context
"the congressional budget office projected significantly higher expansion rates."	What it says: Congressional budget office forecasts much higher growth What it does: Contrasts with the general expectation What it is: Contrasting claim
"This optimistic forecast reflects the considerable"	What it says: Optimistic forecast shows considerable [something] What it does: Begins explaining why the higher forecast exists What it is: Partial explanation
[MISSING WORD/PHRASE]	What it is: Missing logical connector
"that economists have developed regarding new market indicators,"	What it says: Economists developed [missing thing] about new market indicators What it does: Continues the explanation What it is: Continuation of explanation
"as policy researchers increasingly embrace data sources that were once considered unreliable."	What it says: Policy researchers now using previously unreliable data What it does: Provides supporting evidence What it is: Supporting evidence

Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements

Main Point: Economists are making more optimistic forecasts because of their changed attitude toward new market indicators that were previously considered unreliable.

Argument Flow: The passage contrasts general modest predictions with optimistic forecasts, then explains this optimism stems from economists changed relationship with new market indicators.

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 needs to explain why economists are making optimistic forecasts about new market indicators
The word should be something positive that explains why economists would shift from being cautious about unreliable data to embracing it and making optimistic forecasts
The right answer should indicate that economists have gained trust or assurance in these new market indicators

Answer Choices Explained

skepticism

✗ Incorrect

Skepticism means doubt, which is the opposite of what leads to optimistic forecasts

confidence

✓ Correct

Confidence means trust and assurance
This perfectly matches our prethinking - confidence in new indicators would lead to optimistic forecasts

research

✗ Incorrect

Research does not fit grammatically in this context as something economists have developed as a feeling or attitude

funding

✗ Incorrect

Funding does not explain the logical connection between using previously unreliable data and making optimistic forecasts

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