Question 102·Hard·Transitions
Marine biologists once assumed that coral bleaching was an irreversible process. ______ recent experiments have demonstrated that some coral species can regain their symbiotic algae if water temperatures return to normal within a few weeks.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, first ignore the answer choices and decide how the ideas in the surrounding sentences relate: Are they in agreement, in contrast, cause/effect, example, or time order? Then eliminate any choices whose basic function (contrast, example, cause, time, addition) does not match that relationship, even if they sound smooth. Finally, check that the remaining option is grammatically correct in the sentence. This quick “relationship first, choices second” approach keeps you from being misled by transitions that sound fine but don’t match the logic.
Hints
Identify the relationship between the two sentences
Ask yourself: Does the second sentence give an example, a reason, a contrast, or something happening at the same time as the first sentence?
Focus on how the new information compares to the old belief
The first part mentions what biologists once assumed. The second part mentions what recent experiments show. Does this new information agree with or go against the old assumption?
Match the transition type to that relationship
Once you decide whether the ideas are in agreement, opposition, cause/effect, or time sequence, eliminate any transitions that signal the wrong relationship (like example or time) even if they sound smooth.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what each sentence is saying
Read the two parts together:
- First: Marine biologists once assumed coral bleaching was irreversible.
- Second: Recent experiments show some corals can recover their symbiotic algae if conditions improve.
So the second idea challenges or contrasts the old assumption; it does not simply add an example, cause, or a time detail.
Decide the logical relationship between the ideas
Ask: Does the second sentence support, explain, contrast with, or happen at the same time as the first sentence?
Here, new evidence goes against the old belief. That is a contrast: “People used to think X, but new evidence shows Y instead.” Any correct transition must show that kind of change or contradiction between ideas.
Check which choices match that relationship
Now test each category of meaning:
- A) “For instance,” introduces an example of a general statement. But the second sentence is not an example of “irreversible bleaching”; it actually disproves that assumption.
- B) “Because” introduces a reason or cause. That would mean experiments are the reason biologists assumed bleaching was irreversible, which is backwards—they challenged the assumption.
- D) “Meanwhile,” shows things happening at the same time. The sentences are not about timing; they are about an old belief vs. new findings.
Only one option signals a contrast between the old assumption and the new experimental results: “Nevertheless,”, which correctly completes the sentence.