Question 153·Easy·Transitions
Owls are known for their exceptional nocturnal hunting abilities. ______ the barn owl can detect the faintest rustle of a mouse from over 30 meters away.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, always read the sentence before and after the blank and decide what kind of logical relationship they have: addition/similar idea, contrast, cause-and-effect, example, or time order. Once you’ve labeled the relationship, quickly match it to the meaning of each transition word and eliminate any choices whose meanings don’t fit the context, then test the remaining option(s) by reading the sentences smoothly with the word inserted.
Hints
Look at both sentences together
Read the sentence before the blank and the sentence after the blank. Ask yourself: what is the basic connection between these two ideas?
Classify the type of connection
Decide whether the second sentence is showing a result of the first sentence, a contrast with it, something that happens at a later time, or some other kind of support.
Test each transition in context
Mentally read each answer choice in the blank and see which one makes the logical flow between the two sentences smooth and reasonable.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand how the two sentences are related
Read both sentences together:
"Owls are known for their exceptional nocturnal hunting abilities. ______ the barn owl can detect the faintest rustle of a mouse from over 30 meters away."
The first sentence makes a general statement about owls. The second sentence talks about one type of owl (the barn owl) and describes a very specific skill it has.
Identify the logical relationship
Ask: How does the second sentence connect to the first?
- It does not show a result of something in the first sentence (no cause-and-effect is stated).
- It does not contrast with the first sentence (nothing is opposite or surprising).
- It does not describe something that happens at a different time.
Instead, the second sentence provides a specific detail about one kind of owl that fits the general idea in the first sentence.
Match the transition to the relationship
Now match each option to the relationship you found:
- "Therefore," introduces a result or conclusion.
- "However," introduces a contrast or exception.
- "Later," introduces a time sequence.
- One option introduces a specific illustration of a general point.
Because the second sentence gives a specific illustration of the general statement about owls, the correct transition is "For example,".