Question 164·Medium·Transitions
Scientists once believed that coral reefs primarily formed in shallow, clear waters because sunlight was essential for the algae living within coral tissues. During recent dives in the Caribbean, _____ researchers have discovered thriving coral colonies at depths exceeding 100 meters.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For SAT transition questions, always read the full sentence before and after the blank and decide the logical relationship before looking at the answer choices: are you seeing addition, contrast, cause-and-effect, example, or restatement? Once you’ve labeled the relationship (e.g., "contrast"), eliminate any transitions that don’t match that function, even if they seem grammatically fine. Finally, plug the remaining option(s) back into the sentence to check that the meaning is clear and precise, not just "okay-sounding."
Hints
Look at the direction of the ideas
Ask yourself: Does the second sentence support, repeat, or go against the idea in the first sentence about shallow, clear waters?
Classify the transition types
Think about what each type of transition usually does: some add similar information, some restate, some give examples, and some show contrast or an unexpected result.
Test each option in the sentence
Read the two sentences together with each transition inserted. Which option makes the logical relationship between old belief and new discovery clearest and most accurate?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the relationship between the two sentences
Read both parts carefully:
- First part: "Scientists once believed that coral reefs primarily formed in shallow, clear waters because sunlight was essential for the algae living within coral tissues."
- Second part: "During recent dives in the Caribbean, _____ researchers have discovered thriving coral colonies at depths exceeding 100 meters."
The first sentence states an old belief: reefs form mainly in shallow, clear water. The second sentence tells us about new discoveries: reefs are thriving much deeper than expected.
New deep reefs go against the idea that reefs are primarily in shallow water, so the relationship between the two sentences is contrast (a belief vs. surprising, conflicting evidence).
Match each transition type to the relationship
Now think about what each transition usually does:
- "moreover," adds another similar point or additional supporting information.
- "in other words," restates the same idea in a different way.
- "for example," introduces a specific example of the idea just mentioned.
- "however," signals contrast or an unexpected difference.
We already saw that the second sentence contradicts or challenges the earlier belief, not just adds another similar point, restates it, or provides an example of it.
Test the options and choose the one that shows contrast
Plug each option into the blank:
- "...because sunlight was essential... Moreover, researchers have discovered thriving coral colonies at depths exceeding 100 meters." This sounds like addition, but the new information actually disagrees with the old belief, so addition is wrong.
- "...because sunlight was essential... In other words, researchers have discovered thriving coral colonies at depths exceeding 100 meters." The second part is not a restatement of the first; it conflicts with it.
- "...because sunlight was essential... For example, researchers have discovered thriving coral colonies at depths exceeding 100 meters." Deep coral is not an example of forming in shallow water; it contradicts it.
- "...because sunlight was essential... However, researchers have discovered thriving coral colonies at depths exceeding 100 meters." This clearly shows that the new finding contrasts with and challenges the old belief.
Therefore, the most logical transition is "however,".