Question 116·Medium·Transitions
Dark rooftops in cities absorb solar radiation during the day and release heat slowly at night, raising ambient temperatures. _____ planting reflective green roofs can mitigate this effect by cooling the air through evapotranspiration.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, first read the sentences around the blank and decide the exact relationship between them (contrast, cause/effect, example, addition, etc.) before looking at the choices. Then group the transition words by function (which ones show contrast, which show cause/effect, and so on) and eliminate any whose function does not match the relationship you identified. Finally, choose the remaining option that makes the sentence read smoothly and logically, focusing on meaning rather than what "sounds" good.
Hints
Identify the role of each sentence
Ask yourself: Is the second sentence repeating the problem, explaining a cause, giving a result, giving an example, or offering a solution to the problem in the first sentence?
Think about common transition types
Common transitions show relationships like contrast (difference), cause/effect, or example. Decide which relationship best describes how planting green roofs relates to dark rooftops heating cities.
Match meaning, not sound
Ignore which option “sounds nice” and instead focus on what each transition usually does in a sentence (contrast, example, result). Then select the one that fits the relationship you identified.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what each sentence is saying
Read the two sentences carefully:
- Sentence 1: Dark rooftops absorb solar radiation and release heat at night, raising temperatures. This describes a problem.
- Sentence 2: Planting reflective green roofs can mitigate this effect by cooling the air. This describes a solution or alternative to the problem.
So the second sentence is not continuing the same problem; it is presenting a way to counter or contrast it.
Decide the logical relationship between the sentences
Ask: How does the idea in the second sentence relate to the first?
- Is it a result of dark rooftops absorbing heat?
- Is it an example of dark rooftops?
- Or is it a contrast/alternative that can reduce the problem described?
Here, planting green roofs is a contrasting approach that can lessen the heating effect, not a result of it and not an example of it.
Eliminate options that clearly show the wrong relationship
Now match the answer choices to relationship types:
- "For example," introduces a specific illustration of the previous idea.
- "As a result," introduces something that happens because of the previous idea.
The second sentence is not an example of dark rooftops, and it is not something caused by them; it is a proposed solution. So you can eliminate the options that signal “example” or “cause/effect.”
Choose the best contrast transition
You are left with contrast-type transitions. The sentence needs a word that simply marks a contrast between the heating effect of dark rooftops and the cooling effect of reflective green roofs. Among the options, "However," is the most natural and direct signal of this contrast, so the correct answer is B) However,.