Which is the best replacement for the underlined words in sentence 9?
(8) In college she majored in chemical engineering and African American studies but then changed her mind and went to medical school. (9) After practicing medicine in the United States for a few years, [for example], she joined the Peace Corps and went to West Africa.
A.) accordingly
B.) consequently
C.) therefore
D.) however
E.) by the way
I don’t understand why the correct answer is correct :L
(D) because she went to med school, practiced medicine (worked as a doctor) BUT switched courses and joined the Peace Corps (not a medical organization). The contrast is necessary because her Peace Corps entry defies expectations set up by the previous information. @krauser126
The question seems to reflect a mindset that she should have just proceeded to a standard professional career rather than [gasp] having the audacity to join the Peace Corps and work as a doctor in Africa. As a resume entry or newspaper article, it makes perfect sense without the “however” – but that is the only option that fits grammatically. I have to say, however, that I find the underlying assumptions of this question somewhere between annoying and offensive. Joining the Peace Corps, etc., is not [and should not be] inconsistent with the prior sentence.
I didn’t read it that way–I saw it more like this: “Bob went downtown to have tacos. After arriving at the taco truck, however, he went across the street and ordered a steaming bowl of pho.” It’s a simple contrast because becoming a doctor isn’t logically related to joining the Peace Corps except via contrast. @AboutTheSame
Of course. But, I guess i object to that BEING a contrast. I think becoming a doctor SHOULD logically relate to joining the Peace Corps. Or, at least, it should not be viewed as a contrast to the same extent as your accurate meal example. That’s what I took exception to – not your correct answer. Capische? [never know how to spell that]
Edit: Oh. She also majored in African-American studies, so I could make an argument for A, B, or C as well. Those would not be good sentences [the concept would work but not the grammar], but they would not be totally inapt.
Why? If it were MSF (Doctors Without Borders) I could see your point, but the Peace Corps isn’t a medical organization and one doesn’t need to go to med school to join, just as one doesn’t need to seek out tacos to eat pho.
Sigh. Yes. You are correct. I do not think that detracts from my point since I believe the Peace Corps does use doctors. Not a requirement. Probably a plus. We seem to be arguing at cross-purposes, which was not my intent.
Yeah, I agree. Sorry for participating in the derail. Best of luck to all!
Just to join the fun, I think a-c are there to tempt the student into making a connection between African American studies and going to Africa. Those choices don’t work because med school is already contrasted with African American studies, disrupting the possibility of a causal relationship suggested by any of a-c.
E is simply inane. It’s what you say when you can find no relationship at all. Maybe @marvin100 knows if SAT would ever make that a correct answer.
Great point, @WasatchWriter - I don’t believe that would ever be an answer because the CB is never going to urge students to produce a digression.
Actually, E might be the second best answer if you think of it as a conversational response. Not saying that it[s grammatical or good, but I could see people choosing it over A-C.
I picked A because I assumed joining the Peace Corps and becoming a doctor were somewhat related :L @marvin100 Isn’t this question illegitimate and unfair for those who don’t know what the Peace Corps is who could easily think it is related to becoming a doctor.
If there had been antecedent information about the person wanting to engage in public service, then “accordingly” could fit, but it would then be indistinguishable from “consequently” and “therefore” since those all reflect the same general sentiment of consistency. The only one that indicates a change of direction is “however” – so I don’t really think the question is illegitimate/unfair based on unfamiliarity with the Peace Corps.
No, because the test can’t regulate for people who believe wrong things. If the phrase “Peace Corps” included something about medicine, then it would be unfair, but no completely ignorant (as opposed to misinformed) person should assume the words “Peace Corps” would relate to physicians. @krauser126
@AboutTheSame Could you please give an example of when the other 3 choices would fit? Thanks. @marvin100 yea that makes sense 
thanks!
That’s really awkward and not my best work, but I was trying to make as few changes to the original as possible. Does that help explain the point I was trying to make?
Yeah, that’s a good example of how one of those wrong answers could work for a different text.
I think the discussion about the Peace Corps was fairly relevant to answering the question and was not a derail at all.
@AboutTheSame, no offense but it seems from your answers that you are a fan of the Peace Corps and taking your personal opinions about it into account when evaluating the question. Whether my amateur psychoanalysis is correct or not, all readers should be careful NOT to take their own opinions into account when answering questions on CR passages.
No offense taken. I;m a fan of the Peace Corps, but I don;t my answers here reflect a bias. I did think that the test question took an overly narrow view of the Peace Corps, and that was the point I was trying to make in my criticism of it. Best, ATS