Question 176·Medium·Transitions
Solar-powered drones have long promised to revolutionize environmental monitoring. ______ recent advances in lightweight battery technology have finally made continuous, long-distance flights feasible, bringing that promise within reach.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, always read a bit before and after the blank and ask, in your own words, how the second idea relates to the first: Is it supporting, contrasting, giving a reason, showing a result, or shifting in time? Then quickly classify each answer choice by its usual function (contrast, similarity, cause, result, time, etc.) and eliminate any whose meaning does not match that relationship. Finally, plug your best remaining choice back into the sentence to confirm that the logic and tone feel smooth and natural.
Hints
Focus on the overall story
Read both sentences together. How does the second part (about recent advances in battery technology) relate to the first part (about long-promised revolution)?
Decide the relationship type
Ask yourself: Is the second sentence showing contrast, similarity, something happening at the same time, or progress toward making the earlier promise real?
Match meaning to transitions
Think about what each transition generally means: one suggests contrast, one suggests similarity, one suggests events at the same time, and one suggests a move to the present moment after something has been expected for a while.
Check for tone and direction
Is the second sentence arguing against the promise, or is it showing that the promise is finally closer to becoming reality? Choose the transition that best matches that direction.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what the sentence is saying
Read the sentence without the blank:
"Solar-powered drones have long promised to revolutionize environmental monitoring. ___ recent advances in lightweight battery technology have finally made continuous, long-distance flights feasible, bringing that promise within reach."
The first part talks about a long-standing promise. The second part explains that recent technology has finally made that promise realistic.
Identify the relationship between the two parts
Ask: How does the second sentence relate to the first?
- The first sentence sets up an expectation: solar-powered drones could change environmental monitoring.
- The second sentence shows that, because of recent advances, that expectation is finally becoming possible.
So the relationship is progress in time (from long promise to the present) and support (the second idea helps fulfill the first), not contrast or simple comparison.
Match transition types to the relationship
Now look at the general meanings of the choices:
- "Meanwhile," usually means "at the same time" and often introduces a separate or parallel situation.
- "Similarly," shows that something is like something mentioned before; it signals a comparison.
- "Nevertheless," means "in spite of that" and sets up a contrast.
- One option expresses a move to the present moment, often used when something has finally become true after a long time.
We want a transition that fits a move to the present and fulfillment/support of the earlier promise, not parallel action, comparison, or contrast.
Choose the transition that fits best
Given the relationship, the best transition is the one that marks a shift to the present when something long promised is finally becoming real. That word is "Now," so the correct answer is C) Now,.