Question 126·Hard·Transitions
Researchers long assumed that the painted lady butterfly migrates only as far north as temperate Europe. A 2013 satellite-tagging study, however, revealed individuals completing a six-generation circuit that spans over 14,000 kilometres, reaching the Arctic Circle. ______ the discovery that larvae can enter a suspended metabolic state enables them to survive sub-freezing temperatures, making this extended migration biologically plausible.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, read at least one full sentence before and after the blank, then paraphrase the relationship in your own words (e.g., "this adds support," "this contrasts," "this shows a result"). Next, translate each answer choice into its basic function: contrast (nevertheless, however), reinforcement/emphasis (indeed, in fact), cause-effect (therefore, as a result), or comparison/opposition (conversely, similarly). Eliminate any choices whose function doesn’t match the relationship you identified, and pick the one whose meaning and tone best fit the flow of ideas.
Hints
Look at how the two sentences relate
Ask yourself: does the second sentence oppose the first, explain it, or describe a result of it?
Focus on the phrase after the blank
The part after the blank talks about a discovery that makes the extended migration “biologically plausible.” Is that working against the previous information, or helping to support/explain it?
Match the relationship to transition types
Think about what each option usually signals: one shows contrast despite expectations, one shows an opposite, one shows a cause-effect result, and one emphasizes or reinforces a point. Which type fits a sentence that gives scientific backing for a surprising finding?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what the first sentence is saying
The first sentence says researchers used to think the butterfly only went as far north as temperate Europe. Then it explains that a 2013 study showed something much more extreme: a multi-generation migration reaching the Arctic Circle. This is a surprising, expanded claim about how far the butterfly can migrate.
Understand what the second sentence is adding
The second sentence (after the blank) describes the discovery that larvae can enter a suspended metabolic state so they can survive sub-freezing temperatures. This makes the extended migration “biologically plausible.” In other words, this sentence supports and explains how the extreme migration mentioned in the first sentence could actually happen.
Match the sentence relationship to the transition type
Now connect the two ideas:
- The first sentence: surprising long-distance migration.
- The second sentence: biological explanation that backs up and strengthens that surprising finding.
We need a transition that shows reinforcement / confirmation, not contrast or cause-effect.
- "Nevertheless," shows contrast ("even so"), which would wrongly suggest the discovery goes against what was just said.
- "Conversely," signals an opposite idea, which doesn’t fit because the second sentence isn’t an opposite; it supports the first.
- "As a result," would mean the discovery happened because of the migration, but the sentence is not stating a cause leading to an effect.
- "Indeed," means in fact or actually and is used to emphasize or confirm the previous statement, which matches the way the second sentence supports the surprising migration claim.
Therefore, the best choice is B) Indeed,.