Question 162·Hard·Transitions
Many development economists argue that conditional cash transfer programs improve school attendance by compensating families for lost wages when children leave work to study. ______ critics counter that such programs may inadvertently entrench poverty by failing to address the scarcity of quality schools and teachers in low-income regions.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, always read a bit before and after the blank, then first decide the relationship between the ideas (contrast, similarity, example, cause-effect, etc.) without looking at the answer choices. Next, label each choice by the type of relationship it usually signals and eliminate any that don’t match what the passage is doing. Don’t be distracted by what “sounds good”; focus on whether the transition accurately reflects how the second idea functions in relation to the first.
Hints
Check how the critics relate to the economists
Focus on the words “Many development economists argue…” and “critics counter that…”. Ask yourself: are the critics agreeing with or pushing back against the economists’ view?
Decide the kind of relationship first, not the word
Before looking closely at the answer choices, decide whether the second part is continuing the first idea, explaining a result, or opposing it.
Match option types to the relationship you found
Think about which choices usually show continuation/similarity and which usually show cause-and-effect. Eliminate any option whose usual function does not fit the relationship you identified between the two parts of the sentence.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the meaning of each clause
First, read the full sentence without the blank:
- Many development economists say these programs improve school attendance.
- Critics say these programs may entrench poverty because they don’t fix the lack of quality schools and teachers.
So the first idea is positive; the second idea is a negative objection. The critics are disagreeing with the economists.
Determine the logical relationship
Ask: Does the second idea support, extend, result from, or oppose the first idea?
Here, the phrase “critics counter” shows that the second idea is pushing back against or challenging the first claim. That means the relationship between the two parts is contrast/opposition, not continuation or cause-and-effect.
Classify the types of transitions in the options
Now think about what each type of transition usually signals, without choosing yet:
- Some transitions show contrast/opposition (changing direction from the previous idea).
- Some show similarity or extension (continuing in the same direction or adding a related point).
- Some show cause-and-effect (one thing is the result of another).
You need a word that matches a contrast between economists’ support and critics’ concerns.
Match the needed relationship to the correct transition
Check each option:
- “By extension,” suggests a logical continuation or further development of the same line of reasoning, not an opposing view.
- “In the same vein,” means similarly or along the same lines, again suggesting agreement, not disagreement.
- “Consequently,” introduces a result of the previous statement, but critics’ objections are not presented as a result; they are a challenge.
- “However,” introduces a contrasting or opposing idea, which fits the way critics are countering the economists.
Therefore, the best choice is A) However,.