Question 109·Easy·Transitions
Many coffee drinkers claim they can’t start the day without a cup of coffee. Research indicates, _____, that moderate caffeine intake has little effect on long-term energy levels.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, first ignore the answer choices and read the surrounding sentences to decide how the ideas relate: are they similar, restated, contrasted, or cause-and-effect? Then label that relationship in your own words. Next, quickly match each choice to its usual function (restatement, addition, contrast, cause/effect) and eliminate any that don’t fit the relationship you identified. Finally, plug the best remaining option back into the sentence to confirm that it sounds natural and keeps the logical flow clear.
Hints
Compare the ideas before and after the blank
Read the two sentences together and think about what coffee drinkers believe and what the research shows. Are these ideas matching or different?
Decide whether the research supports the claim
Ask yourself: Does the research confirm that coffee is needed for energy, or does it suggest something else about caffeine and long-term energy?
Think about what each transition word usually does
For each answer choice, think: Does this word usually rephrase, show a result, simply add another similar point, or connect two ideas that don’t really agree with each other?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the relationship between the two sentences
Read the two sentences together:
- Sentence 1: Many coffee drinkers claim they can’t start the day without coffee.
- Sentence 2: Research shows that moderate caffeine has little effect on long-term energy.
The claim suggests coffee is very important for their energy, but the research says caffeine doesn’t actually affect long-term energy much. These ideas are not in agreement; the second sentence challenges the first.
Identify what kind of transition is needed
Ask: How should the second sentence connect to the first?
- Is it repeating or rephrasing the same idea?
- Is it showing a result of the first idea?
- Is it simply adding another similar point?
- Or is it introducing information that goes against or challenges the first idea?
Here, the research challenges what coffee drinkers claim, so we need a transition that fits that kind of connection.
Match each option to its function and choose the best fit
Now look at what each choice normally does:
- “in other words” restates the same idea differently. The research is not restating the claim; it’s disagreeing with it.
- “as a consequence” shows a result of something that just happened. The research finding is not a result of the coffee drinkers’ claim.
- “moreover” adds another similar or supporting point. But the research is not adding support; it’s presenting a conflicting fact.
The only option that correctly introduces a point that goes against the previous claim is “nevertheless” (Choice C).