Type 5: Best connective / expression for a blank

The final type asks you to put the connective or expression that fits the flow of the passage into a blank. It all comes down to reading the logical relation between the sentences before and after the blank.

Strategy 1: Classify connectives by relation

It's faster to memorize connectives in groups: cause (따라서, 그래서), contrast (반면에, 그러나), addition (또한, 게다가), example (예를 들어), and shift (그런데).

운동은 체력을 길러 준다. 게다가 스트레스를 줄이는 효과도 있다.

undong-eun cheryeok-eul gilleo junda. gedaga seuteureseu-reul julineun hyogwa-do itda.

Exercise builds stamina. Moreover, it also reduces stress.

The two sentences add same-direction benefits, so the addition connective '게다가' (moreover) fits.

Strategy 2: Catch contrast signals

도시는 일자리가 많아 편리하다. 반면에 생활비가 비싸고 경쟁이 치열하다.

dosi-neun iljari-ga mana pyeollihada. banmyeon-e saenghwalbi-ga bissago gyeongjaeng-i chiyeolhada.

Cities are convenient with many jobs. On the other hand, living costs are high and competition is fierce.

The first sentence is a pro and the second is a con, so the directions are opposite — the contrast connective '반면에' (on the other hand) is correct. '따라서' and '게다가' don't fit.

Strategy 3: Distinguish example from cause

전통 음식에는 발효 식품이 많다. 예를 들어 김치, 된장, 간장이 모두 발효를 거친다.

jeontong eumsik-eneun balhyo sikpum-i manta. yereul deureo gimchi, doenjang, ganjang-i modu balhyo-reul geochinda.

Traditional foods include many fermented items. For example, kimchi, doenjang, and soy sauce all go through fermentation.

The second sentence gives concrete examples of the first, so '예를 들어' (for example) fits. Don't confuse it with the cause connective '따라서'.

준비를 철저히 했다. 그 결과 면접에서 좋은 평가를 받을 수 있었다.

junbi-reul cheoljeohi haetda. geu gyeolgwa myeonjeob-eseo joeun pyeongga-reul badeul su isseotda.

I prepared thoroughly. As a result, I was able to receive a good evaluation in the interview.

Relation	Connective	Example
Cause	따라서, 그래서, 그 결과	원인→결과
Contrast	반면에, 그러나, 하지만	장점↔단점
Addition	또한, 게다가	같은 방향 추가
Example	예를 들어, 가령	구체 사례

Strategy 4: Tell a shift from a summary

'그런데' marks a topic shift, '즉/다시 말해' restates the preceding point in other words, and '결국/요컨대' is a closing summary. Check whether the text after the blank is a new topic or a restatement of the same point.

계획은 완벽했다. 그런데 날씨가 문제였다.

gyehoeg-eun wanbyeokhaetda. geureonde nalssi-ga munje-yeotda.

The plan was perfect. However, the weather was a problem.

그는 말을 아꼈다. 즉 동의하지 않은 것이다.

geu-neun mareul akkyeotda. jeuk donguihaji aneun geos-ida.

He held his words back. That is, he did not agree.

결국 꾸준함이 실력을 만든다.

gyeolguk kkujunham-i sillyeog-eul mandeunda.

In the end, consistency makes skill.

💡 Tip: Cover the sentence before the blank with your hand and check whether the flow still reads naturally from the sentence after it. A connective is a bridge between the two sides, so both directions matter.

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