Question 165·Hard·Transitions
Early proponents of urban rooftop farming argued that such operations could significantly reduce a city’s carbon footprint. More recent studies suggest, however, that the energy required to maintain controlled environments can rival that of conventional agriculture. _____, urban planners are rethinking whether rooftop farms are the environmental boon they were once thought to be.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, always read the sentence before and after the blank together and decide the exact relationship: are they showing similarity, contrast, cause-and-effect, or example? Name that relationship in your own words first, then quickly label each answer choice by function (similarity, contrast, result, example, etc.) and eliminate any that don’t match; only then plug in the remaining option to check that the combined sentence reads smoothly and logically.
Hints
Check the direction of the ideas
Read the sentence before the blank and the clause after the blank together. Is the second part agreeing with, giving an example of, or reacting to the information in the first part?
Focus on what the urban planners are doing
Urban planners are “rethinking” rooftop farms. Ask yourself: Are they rethinking them in the same way as earlier proponents, in opposition to the new studies, or because of the new studies?
Classify each transition type
Before you plug in answers, remind yourself: which options usually show similarity, which show contrast, and which introduce an example? Eliminate any that don’t fit the relationship you see between the sentences.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what each sentence is saying
First sentence: Early supporters of rooftop farms claimed they could lower a city’s carbon footprint.
Second sentence: Newer studies say the energy needed for rooftop farms can be as high as regular farming.
Final clause (after the blank): Because of this situation, urban planners are now reconsidering whether rooftop farms are really as good for the environment as once believed.
Identify the relationship between the ideas
The newer studies challenge the early optimism. The last part says planners are rethinking rooftop farms in light of the new information.
So, the key relationship is:
- New evidence about high energy use ➝ planners change their view.
This is not just another example or a contrast; it is a reaction or follow-up step to the new evidence.
Match the relationship to the right type of transition
Ask what kind of connector fits this pattern:
- The second sentence provides important new evidence.
- The final clause shows what people do in response to that evidence.
We need a transition that shows the planners’ rethinking follows from or is prompted by the studies. Now compare that needed relationship with what each option usually does:
- "Similarly" connects two alike things.
- "Nevertheless" shows something happens despite what came before.
- "For instance" introduces an example of a previous idea.
- One option signals that what follows is a result or outcome of the previous sentence.
Only that last type of transition fits the planners’ reaction to the new research.
Choose the transition that shows a result
The word that clearly shows a result or outcome is “consequently.”
So the completed sentence is:
More recent studies suggest, however, that the energy required to maintain controlled environments can rival that of conventional agriculture. Consequently, urban planners are rethinking whether rooftop farms are the environmental boon they were once thought to be.
Therefore, the correct answer is B) consequently.