Question 190·Easy·Transitions
Scientists have recently discovered a species of bacteria that can break down certain plastics. _____ they are exploring ways to incorporate the bacteria into recycling facilities.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, always read at least one sentence before and one after the blank, then briefly label the relationship between them in your own words (such as result, contrast, example, or time). Next, quickly categorize each answer choice by the type of connection it usually signals, eliminate any whose type doesn’t match your labeled relationship, and choose the word that cleanly and logically joins the two ideas—even if other options “sound” okay out of context.
Hints
Read for meaning, not just for what sounds good
Read both sentences together and ask yourself: what are the scientists doing in the second sentence, and how does that relate to the discovery in the first sentence?
Decide the relationship between the two ideas
Ask: Does the second sentence oppose the first, give a specific instance of it, show a result of it, or describe something else happening at the same time?
Connect the relationship to the type of transition
Once you’ve decided how the ideas are related (result, contrast, example, or time), eliminate any answer choices whose transition word clearly signals a different type of relationship.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what each sentence is saying
Read both sentences together:
- First: Scientists discovered a species of bacteria that can break down certain plastics.
- Second: They are exploring ways to use this bacteria in recycling facilities.
The second sentence clearly describes what scientists do after and because of this discovery.
Identify the logical relationship between the sentences
Ask: How does the second idea relate to the first?
- Is it contrasting the discovery? No, it continues the idea in a positive way.
- Is it giving an example of the bacteria? Not really; it describes a potential use.
- Is it happening at the same time but unrelated? No, it is directly connected.
- It shows what scientists are doing as a follow‑up to the discovery, which is a result of that discovery (a cause‑and‑effect relationship).
Match the needed relationship to transition types
Now that you know the relationship is cause‑and‑effect, think about which types of transitions are not appropriate:
- A contrast word would suggest the second sentence goes against the first.
- An example word would introduce a specific instance of something just mentioned.
- A time/simultaneous word would describe something else happening at the same time.
None of those fit as well as a transition that directly shows a result of the discovery.
Check each answer choice against the relationship and choose
Now evaluate each option:
- Consequently, means as a result. This directly shows that exploring ways to use the bacteria is a result of discovering it.
- Nevertheless, means even so or despite that, which would signal contrast, but there is no disagreement or opposition here.
- For example, introduces a specific instance of something already mentioned, but the second sentence is not an example of a general claim; it is a next step.
- Meanwhile, means at the same time, which suggests a separate action occurring simultaneously, not a result of the discovery.
Only “Consequently,” correctly shows that the second action follows because of the first, so the correct answer is A) Consequently,.