Question 114·Hard·Transitions
Archaeologists studying the ancient Maya civilization have long relied on inscriptions carved into stone monuments to reconstruct dynastic histories. ______ remote sensing technologies now allow researchers to detect vast urban networks hidden beneath dense jungle canopies, offering an even broader perspective on how these societies organized space.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, always read a bit before and after the blank and first decide the relationship between the ideas: contrast, cause/effect, addition, example, or time. Once you’ve labeled that relationship in your own words, quickly eliminate any options that signal the wrong type (for example, cause/effect when there is no result, or similarity when the ideas actually differ), and choose the transition whose typical use best matches the logical connection in the sentence.
Hints
Read both halves of the sentence carefully
Focus on what archaeologists "have long relied on" in the first part and what technologies "now allow" in the second part. Ask yourself how these two research methods relate.
Classify the logical relationship
Decide whether the second part is showing a result of the first, something similar to the first, just a time reference, or a different direction in the discussion.
Match the relationship to a transition type
Look at each option and think: Does it mainly show result, similarity, or time? Which option best fits the way the sentence moves from the old method to the new one?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what each part of the sentence is saying
Read the full sentence, mentally filling in the blank:
"Archaeologists ... have long relied on inscriptions carved into stone monuments to reconstruct dynastic histories. ______ remote sensing technologies now allow researchers to detect vast urban networks ..."
The first part describes the traditional method (stone inscriptions). The second part describes a different, newer method (remote sensing technologies) that gives a broader perspective.
Identify the relationship between the two parts
Ask: How does the second idea relate to the first?
- It is not a result of the first method; it is an alternative, newer method.
- It does not describe something similar; it is a different way to study the civilization.
- The word "now" already shows that the second method is current.
So the sentence is shifting from one kind of method (old) to another (new), which is a change in direction between ideas.
Match each answer choice to the type of connection it creates
Think about what each transition usually signals:
- "Therefore," usually shows a result or conclusion from what came before.
- "Similarly," usually shows that the next idea is like the previous one.
- "Recently," only tells you about time and does not show a logical relationship.
- One option (the correct one) shows a contrast or shift between two different ideas.
Because the sentence moves from an older approach to a different, newer approach, the best choice is the one that signals this shift.
Choose the transition that fits the contrast
The only option that clearly signals a contrast between the long-used inscription method and the newer remote-sensing method is "However,", so the correct answer is A) However,.