Question 113·Easy·Transitions
Roots anchor a plant in the soil and absorb water and nutrients. ______ some roots also store surplus food, allowing the plant to survive periods of scarcity.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, first ignore the answer choices and read the sentences together without the transition. Decide the relationship between the ideas (addition, contrast, cause-and-effect, example, etc.), using clue words like "also," "but," or "therefore." Then quickly categorize each answer choice by the kind of relationship it signals and eliminate any that don’t match. Choose the option that fits both the logical relationship and the tone of the passage when you read the full sentence aloud in your head.
Hints
Check the relationship between the two sentences
Read both sentences together without any transition. Ask yourself: is the second sentence contrasting, explaining a result, comparing to something else, or just adding more information?
Pay attention to clue words
Look closely at the word "also" in the second sentence. What kind of relationship between ideas does that word suggest?
Think about each transition’s usual job
For each answer choice, ask: does this word usually show contrast, similarity, cause-and-effect, or adding another point? Then match that to the relationship you identified between the two sentences.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what each sentence is saying
First sentence: "Roots anchor a plant in the soil and absorb water and nutrients." This explains two functions of roots.
Second sentence: "___ some roots also store surplus food, allowing the plant to survive periods of scarcity." This explains another function of roots: storing extra food so the plant can survive when resources are low.
Identify the relationship between the sentences
Both sentences are about what roots do. The second sentence is not disagreeing with the first, and it is not showing a result that happens because of the first. It is adding one more function to the list.
Also notice the word "also" in the second sentence. That word already suggests "in addition." The transition should match that additive relationship.
Match each transition type to the relationship
Now think about what each option usually signals:
- "However," signals contrast or an opposite idea.
- "Similarly," signals a comparison to something that is like what came before (usually a different subject with a similar trait).
- "Consequently," signals a result or effect of what came before.
- One option in the list signals adding another related point, like saying "in addition" or "also."
Because the second sentence adds another function of roots, we want the option that clearly shows additional information.
Choose the transition that shows addition
The only choice that clearly and naturally introduces an additional function, matching the word "also" and the additive relationship between the sentences, is "Furthermore,", so that is the correct answer.