Question 179·Medium·Transitions
Ocean waves have long been considered a promising source of renewable energy. Recent technological advances have allowed engineers to design increasingly efficient wave-energy converters. _____ some coastal communities are hesitant to adopt these devices, citing concerns about potential impacts on marine life.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, always first ignore the choices and decide how the ideas around the blank relate: ask whether the second part gives a reason, a result, an example, more of the same idea, or a contrast to the first part. Once you know the relationship (e.g., contrast here: positive advances vs. community hesitation), quickly group the answer choices by type (cause/effect, addition, contrast, etc.) and eliminate any that do not match. This top-down approach is faster and more reliable than reading each choice and guessing which “sounds right.”
Hints
Check the tone before and after the blank
Read the sentences before and after the blank. Are they both positive, both negative, or does the tone shift?
Identify the relationship between advances and hesitation
Think about how "recent technological advances" relate to communities being "hesitant" and having "concerns." Is this supporting the advances, resulting from them, or pushing against the positive picture?
Match transition types to that relationship
Label each choice in your head as cause-and-effect, similar/additional idea, or something different. Then choose the one whose type best fits the relationship you found between the sentences.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the relationship between the ideas
Read the sentences together and think about how the ideas connect:
- Sentence 1: Ocean waves are a promising renewable energy source.
- Sentence 2: Engineers have designed increasingly efficient wave-energy converters.
- Sentence 3: Some coastal communities are hesitant to adopt these devices because of concerns.
The first two sentences are positive about wave energy and technology. The third sentence introduces a hesitation or concern, which shifts the tone.
Decide what type of transition is needed
Ask yourself: Does the third sentence
- give a result of the advances,
- continue the same positive idea,
- or contrast with the advances by showing doubt or reluctance?
Here, we might expect communities to embrace the devices because of the advances, but instead we are told they are hesitant. That is a contrast with what we might expect from the first two sentences.
Classify the answer choices by transition type
Identify what kind of relationship each option usually signals:
- "As a result," = cause and effect (X happened, so Y happened).
- "In the same vein," = similar/additional idea (another point in the same direction).
- "Consequently," = cause and effect (because of X, Y happened).
- "Nevertheless," = contrast (despite what was said before, something different or unexpected is true).
Since the passage is moving from positive advances to unexpected hesitation, we need a contrast transition. The only option that signals this contrast is "Nevertheless,".