Question 169·Easy·Transitions
Mia hoped to beat the morning traffic and left home at dawn. She expected the roads to be nearly empty. _____ a broken-down truck blocked the main intersection, causing a significant delay.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, always ignore any “sounds right” feeling and instead focus on the logic between the sentences. First, paraphrase the ideas before and after the blank: are they in agreement, in contrast, cause-and-effect, or giving an example? Then group the answer choices by function (addition, contrast, cause, example, similarity, etc.) and quickly eliminate any that don’t match the relationship you identified. This logical approach is faster and more reliable than choosing based on how the word feels.
Hints
Read before and after the blank carefully
Reread the sentences before and after the blank. Think about what Mia expected and what actually happened on the road.
Decide how the ideas are related
Ask yourself: Does the final sentence support, oppose, or result from Mia’s expectation of nearly empty roads?
Match the relationship to the transition type
Once you know whether the relationship is addition, cause-and-effect, similarity, or contrast, choose the option that signals that type of connection.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the situation in the passage
First, read all three sentences together and summarize them in your own words:
- Mia leaves early to avoid traffic.
- She expects the roads to be empty.
- Instead, a broken-down truck blocks the main intersection and delays her.
So, what she expected and what actually happened are not the same.
Identify the logical relationship
Ask: How does the third sentence relate to Mia’s expectation?
- Does it add another similar expectation or detail?
- Does it show a result of something mentioned earlier?
- Does it show that something is similar to what came before?
- Or does it show a contrast between what she thought and what really happened?
Here, the delay from the truck goes against her expectation of empty roads, so the relationship is a contrast between expectation and reality.
Match the choices to the relationship
Now match each answer choice to its typical use:
- “In addition,” = adds another similar point.
- “Consequently,” = shows a result or effect.
- “Similarly,” = shows a comparison of two alike situations.
- One choice (B) is used to signal a contrast or an unexpected outcome.
Because the sentence after the blank contradicts Mia’s expectation, we need the contrast transition, so the correct answer is B) However,.