Question 12·Hard·Transitions
Coral reefs are sometimes called the rainforests of the sea; they host thousands of species and support coastal economies worldwide. ______ scientists have discovered that certain corals can survive rising water temperatures by harboring heat-tolerant algae.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For SAT transition questions, always read at least one sentence before and after the blank, then ask: What is the exact relationship—addition, example, cause/effect, contrast, or an attitude (like fortunately, sadly)? Identify that relationship in your own words first, then eliminate any choices whose meanings do not match (look up or recall the precise meaning of each transition). Finally, plug the remaining option(s) back into the passage to check that both the logic and the tone feel natural and consistent.
Hints
Focus on the tone of the second sentence
Is the information about scientists discovering heat-tolerant algae for corals positive, negative, or neutral? How might a writer feel about this discovery?
Identify the relationship, not just the word
Ask yourself: Does the second sentence show a result of the first, a contrast with the first, a similarity to something in the first, or an author’s attitude toward the new information?
Test each transition in the sentence
Read the full two-sentence passage out loud (in your head) with each choice. Which one makes the logic and tone flow most naturally from the importance of coral reefs to the discovery about their possible survival?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what each sentence is saying
First sentence: Coral reefs are very important ecosystems (they host many species and support economies). The tone is neutral-to-positive, describing their value.
Second sentence: Scientists have discovered that some corals can survive rising temperatures by working with heat-tolerant algae. This is a good or hopeful discovery in the context of climate change threats.
Decide the relationship between the two sentences
Ask: How does the second sentence relate to the first?
- It does not describe a result of reefs hosting species and supporting economies.
- It does not contrast with the first sentence; both are about positive or important aspects of reefs.
- It does not say something that is "in the same way" as a previous survival strategy.
- Instead, it adds a hopeful update about coral reefs’ ability to cope with warming seas.
So we are looking for a transition that matches a positive attitude toward this discovery, not a strict logical connector like cause/effect or contrast.
Match each option to the relationship and tone
Now compare the meaning of each transition word to the relationship you identified:
- One choice signals cause and effect (a result of something just mentioned).
- One signals a hopeful or positive attitude about what follows.
- One signals a contrast (difference) between ideas.
- One signals similarity (something is like what came before).
Only one of these meanings fits a sentence that introduces good news about coral reefs’ ability to survive rising temperatures.
Select the transition that shows positive, hopeful attitude
Because the second sentence gives good news about coral reefs’ survival, the best transition is the one that expresses a hopeful attitude: “Encouragingly,”. The other options incorrectly suggest cause-and-effect, contrast, or direct similarity, which do not match the relationship between the two sentences.