Wildlife conservationists have raised serious concerns about declining pollinator populations, citing habitat loss and pesticide use as primary threat...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
Wildlife conservationists have raised serious concerns about declining pollinator populations, citing habitat loss and pesticide use as primary threats to bee and butterfly species. Major agricultural regions have reported substantial decreases in pollinator activity over the past decade. _____ several innovative farming operations have successfully increased pollinator populations through native plant corridors and organic practices.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Therefore,
Similarly,
However,
In fact,
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Wildlife conservationists have raised serious concerns about declining pollinator populations, citing habitat loss and pesticide use as primary threats to bee and butterfly species." |
|
| "Major agricultural regions have reported substantial decreases in pollinator activity over the past decade." |
|
| [MISSING TRANSITION] |
|
| "several innovative farming operations have successfully increased pollinator populations through native plant corridors and organic practices." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Despite widespread concerns about declining pollinator populations, some innovative farming approaches are successfully reversing this trend.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes a conservation problem with supporting evidence of regional declines, then shifts to highlight successful counter-examples that demonstrate solutions are possible.
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 transition must connect the problem/decline information with the success story that follows
- We need a word that signals contrast or exception—the farming successes go against the general trend of decline
- The relationship should be: "Despite all these problems and decreases, here's something positive"
Therefore,
- Signals causation or logical conclusion
- Would incorrectly suggest that farming successes result from the declines
Similarly,
- Indicates additional supporting evidence in the same direction
- Would incorrectly suggest that farming successes are another example of decline
However,
- Signals contrast between declining trends and successful increases
- Perfectly captures the shift from negative evidence to positive counter-example
In fact,
- Emphasizes or strengthens the previous point
- Would incorrectly suggest that farming successes support the decline narrative