Question 155·Medium·Transitions
Studies examining urban honeybee populations suggest that rooftop gardens can be surprisingly beneficial. One reason is that city rooftops planted with diverse flowers host higher bee densities than ground-level parks. _____ these gardens are often free from pesticides, giving bees safer foraging zones.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, always read at least one full sentence before and after the blank, then label the logical relationship in your own words (e.g., “another reason,” “contrast,” “cause,” “example,” “time change”). Once you know the relationship, eliminate any choices that don’t match that function, even if they sound smooth. This prevents you from guessing based on sound alone and quickly leads you to the transition that accurately reflects how the ideas connect.
Hints
Check how the ideas relate
Look closely at the information before and after the blank. Do the two sentences agree with each other, or is one pushing back against the other?
Decide what the second sentence is doing
Ask yourself: Is the second sentence giving a contrasting point, an illustration of the first point, something happening at the same time, or a separate reason that also supports the same idea?
Match function to transition type
Once you know whether the second sentence is contrast, example, time, or an extra supporting point, choose the transition that best matches that function.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what each sentence is saying
Read the two ideas:
- First: Rooftop gardens are beneficial; one reason is that rooftops with diverse flowers have higher bee densities than ground-level parks.
- Second: The blank introduces a new idea: these gardens are often free from pesticides, giving bees safer foraging zones.
So the second sentence gives another positive point about the same subject (rooftop gardens helping bees).
Identify the relationship between the ideas
Ask: How does the second idea relate to the first?
- It does not contradict the first reason; it supports the same conclusion.
- It is not a specific example of higher bee densities; it’s a separate benefit (less pesticide use).
- It is another reason that rooftop gardens are good for bees.
So the relationship is that the second sentence is adding a new, similar point.
Match the relationship to the best transition
Now classify each option by the relationship it signals:
- However, → contrast or opposite idea
- For example, → introduce a specific instance of the previous point
- Additionally, → add another, similar point or reason
- Meanwhile, → show something happening at the same time, often in a different setting
Because the second sentence adds another benefit of rooftop gardens, the transition that correctly shows addition of a new reason is “Additionally,”, which makes the completed text flow logically.