The longstanding problem of characterization of the $0^+_2$ states in Gd isotopes is revisited by adopting the Nilsson$+$BCS mean field and the random-phase approximation. The interband electric quadrupole transition strengths varying almost two orders of magnitude are nicely reproduced at the same time as other observables. These results indicate that the $0^+_2$ states, in particular, those in lighter isotopes are well described as $beta$ vibrations excited on top of deformed ground states without recourse to the shape-coexistence picture.
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