Question 195·Hard·Transitions
Archaeological surveys have uncovered sophisticated irrigation networks in the ancient valley, evidence of advanced engineering. ______ the region’s crop yields remained vulnerable to seasonal floods.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, first ignore the answer choices and decide how the second sentence logically relates to the first: restatement, example, cause/effect, contrast, or addition. Then quickly label each transition choice by its function (e.g., “cause/effect,” “example,” “contrast”) and choose the one that matches the relationship you identified. If a choice doesn’t clearly match the logic between the sentences, eliminate it—even if it sounds smooth on its own.
Hints
Paraphrase each sentence
Put each sentence into your own words. What is the main point of the first, and what is the main point of the second?
Find the relationship between the ideas
Ask yourself: Is the second sentence repeating the first, giving an example of it, showing a result of it, or going against what you might expect from it?
Test each type of transition
Think about what each option usually does: one restates, one gives examples, one shows results, and one contrasts. Which function matches how the second sentence relates to the first?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what each part of the text is saying
First, paraphrase the two sentences in simple terms:
- Sentence 1: Archaeologists found sophisticated irrigation systems, showing advanced engineering.
- Sentence 2: Despite that, the region’s crop yields were still vulnerable to seasonal floods.
Notice that the second sentence introduces a problem or limitation connected to, but not solved by, the first sentence.
Identify the relationship between the two ideas
Ask: How does the second sentence relate to the first?
- Is it restating the same idea in different words?
- Is it giving a specific example of the first idea?
- Is it describing a result or consequence of the first idea?
- Or is it contrasting with or going against what we might expect from the first idea?
Here, we might expect advanced irrigation and engineering to protect crops from floods, but they still remained vulnerable. That creates an unexpected contrast between the impressive engineering and the ongoing vulnerability.
Match each answer choice to the type of relationship it signals
Now connect each transition to its usual purpose:
- “In other words,” signals a restatement of the same idea in different terms.
- “For example,” introduces an example of something just mentioned.
- “As a result,” introduces a consequence or outcome caused by what came before.
- One choice introduces an idea that goes against or contrasts with what we would expect from the previous sentence.
Since the relationship we found is contrast, we need the choice that signals this kind of "despite that" relationship.
Choose the transition that shows contrast
Because the second sentence presents an outcome that goes against what we might expect from the advanced engineering in the first sentence, the best transition is “Even so,”, which signals contrast between the two ideas.