Wildlife biologists have long praised Yellowstone's wolf reintroduction program for its ecological benefits. The wolves have successfully controlled d...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Wildlife biologists have long praised Yellowstone's wolf reintroduction program for its ecological benefits. The wolves have successfully controlled deer populations, allowing vegetation to recover in many areas. _____ the presence of wolves has led to increased biodiversity along riverbanks as trees and shrubs have returned.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
However,
For example,
Furthermore,
In contrast,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Wildlife biologists have long praised Yellowstone's wolf reintroduction program for its ecological benefits.' |
|
| 'The wolves have successfully controlled deer populations, allowing vegetation to recover in many areas.' |
|
| [MISSING TRANSITION] |
|
| 'the presence of wolves has led to increased biodiversity along riverbanks as trees and shrubs have returned.' |
|
Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Yellowstone's wolf reintroduction program has produced significant ecological benefits.
Argument Flow: The passage presents a positive claim about wolf reintroduction, then provides two related examples of ecological improvements to support that claim.
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
- Both sentences describe positive ecological benefits from wolves
- The sentence before the blank gives one type of benefit (deer control/vegetation)
- The sentence after the blank gives another type of benefit (biodiversity/riverbank restoration)
- We need a connector that shows these are both examples supporting the same positive point
- The relationship is addition or continuation, not contrast or contradiction
- The right answer should signal that we're adding another supporting example to continue building the case for ecological benefits
However,
- 'However' signals contrast or contradiction
- Both sentences describe positive ecological outcomes, so there's no contrast to signal
- This would incorrectly suggest the second benefit contradicts or opposes the first
For example,
- 'For example' suggests the following information is a specific instance of what came before
- But both sentences are separate examples of the broader ecological benefits claim
- The riverbank biodiversity isn't an example of deer population control—they're parallel benefits
Furthermore,
- 'Furthermore' signals addition and continuation of similar ideas
- Perfectly connects two positive examples that both support the opening claim about ecological benefits
- Shows we're building our case by adding another supporting point
In contrast,
- 'In contrast' signals opposition between ideas
- Both sentences describe positive ecological outcomes, so there's no contrast present
- This would incorrectly suggest the biodiversity benefits oppose the vegetation recovery benefits