Question 170·Medium·Transitions
Photovoltaic materials have steadily improved in efficiency over the past decade, enabling solar panels to convert more sunlight into electricity. _____ widespread adoption of these materials has remained slow because production costs have not fallen at the same rate.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, first ignore the answer choices and read the sentence (or sentences) around the blank to decide how the ideas relate: contrast, cause/effect, example, or continuation. Label that relationship in your own words. Then quickly sort the answer choices into these categories and pick the one that matches your label. If a choice would flip the logic (for example, showing cause/effect where the sentence clearly shows contrast), eliminate it, even if it "sounds" smooth.
Hints
Identify the tone of each clause
Ask yourself: Is the first part of the sentence positive or negative in tone? What about the second part that begins with "widespread adoption"?
Decide how the two ideas relate
Are the two parts showing a cause and its result, an example of the first idea, a similarity between ideas, or a contrast between what you might expect and what actually happens?
Match the relationship to transition types
Recall: some transitions show cause/effect, some show similarity, some give examples, and some show contrast. Which category fits the relationship you found in the sentence?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the relationship between the two ideas
Read the whole sentence without the blank:
"Photovoltaic materials have steadily improved in efficiency over the past decade, enabling solar panels to convert more sunlight into electricity. _____ widespread adoption of these materials has remained slow because production costs have not fallen at the same rate."
The first sentence part is positive (efficiency has improved). The second clause shows something negative or disappointing (adoption is still slow). These two ideas contrast with each other.
Classify what each transition word usually signals
Now think about what each answer choice usually shows:
- "Consequently," usually shows a result (cause → effect).
- "For example," introduces a specific example of the previous idea.
- "Similarly," shows a comparison or similarity between two ideas.
- One of the choices shows contrast between two ideas.
We need a word that signals contrast, because the ideas go from improvement to slow adoption.
Match the needed relationship to the correct transition
Since the sentence shifts from improvement in efficiency to slow adoption due to high costs, the writer is emphasizing a contrast: even though efficiency is better, adoption is still slow. Among the options, only "However," signals this kind of contrast, so the best completion is:
"Photovoltaic materials have steadily improved in efficiency over the past decade, enabling solar panels to convert more sunlight into electricity. However, widespread adoption of these materials has remained slow because production costs have not fallen at the same rate."