Continuation of the passage type Qs

Question

Hello,

I am currently struggling with a type of question where I am asked which sentence represents the most logical continuation of a passage (in both cases: one where the line is in the last paragraph itself, and another where it is the first line of a new paragraph).

Is it something that must be true based on the passage? Sometimes the correct answer is more or less the same conclusion restated, which I think doesn’t make sense since it feels like repetition, even if it is true. I usually try to select the option that suggests what could possibly be discussed next. Could you help me understand how to approach this? I have come across these types of questions in GMAT Club tests, so I’m not sure I can paste them here.

MartyMurray · Answer

The correct answer to a Complete the Passage question is simply the most logical continuation of the passage. As such, the correct answer can be in any of a variety of forms, including the following:

- A conclusion that follows from the passage

- A premise that supports a conclusion that appears before the blank

- A fact that weakens the case for a conclusion stated in the passage

- A fact that resolves a seeming paradox presented by the passage

- A reason why an argument presented by the passage is flawed

So, basically, Complete the Passage questions work like other types of GMAT Critical Reasoning questions in that the answers can be strengtheners, weakeners, conclusions, etc., with the main difference being that what the correct answer must do is not directly stated.

For instance, in a Strengthen question, the question stem indicates that the correct answer must strengthen the argument. In a Complete the Passage question, the correct answer may strengthen the argument, but we have to figure out that the correct answer must do so since the question stem doesn't indicate what the correct answer must do.

So, a key aspect of correctly answering a Complete the Passage question is determining what the correct answer must do. We can do so using context clues.

For example, if we see "since" before the blank, then it's usually the case that the correct answer supports a conclusion that appears before "since."

Here's an example of a Complete the passage question that works that way:

Which of the following, if true, most logically completes the reasoning in the passage?

Kerniand’s government restricts the export of unprocessed cashew nuts in order to ensure a low-cost supply for domestic processing plants. Though the policy constrains farm income and limits the number of farmers who can profitably grow cashews, the government defends it on the grounds that, since the processing plants are in urban areas, removing the restrictions would hurt efforts to reduce urban unemployment. However, the policy may actually have contributed to urban unemployment, since ______.

(A) a lack of profitable crops is driving many small cashew farmers in Kernland off their land and into the cities

(B) some of the by-products of cashew processing are used as raw materials by other Industries located in Kernland’s cities

(C) the government does not place similar restrictions on the export of any crop other than cashews

(D) the Income earned by workers in the processing plants Is generally greater than that earned by agricultural laborers in rural areas

(E) without governmental aId in some form, Kernland’s cashew processing plants would not be able tie compete for sales in world market

We see that, in this case, the presence of "since" before the blank indicates that the correct answer must provide reason to believe that "the policy may actually have contributed to urban unemployment."

Accordingly, the correct answer is (A). After all, if a lack of profitable crops is driving many small cashew farmers in Kernland off their land and into the cities, then unemployed farmers are going to cities looking for employment, a result that could contribute to urban unemployment.

KarishmaB · Answer

Here is a video explaining "Complete the passage/Best completes" kind of questions: https://youtu.be/02hcfVqIr-g and here are some example discussions of such question types: https://youtu.be/JlSkXDplwzE https://youtu.be/eOQnSQMlJuo https://youtu.be/6hyl9D7Zl_8 https://youtu.be/VNiiDQ_wsM8 https://youtu.be/_EcuWBg4C9g

gullyboy09 · Answer

KarishmaB ,  MartyMurray , you guys are really helpful : )

I will try to apply the above approach, and see how it goes for me. I can see the existing Qs where I faced issue are now resolved.

Continuation of the passage type Qs

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