Question 226·Easy·Transitions
Many community gardens donate fresh produce to local food banks. ______ these programs also teach volunteers basic gardening skills so they can grow their own vegetables at home.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, always ignore the answer choices at first and read the sentences around the blank. In your own words, label the relationship: addition (another point), contrast (opposite), example (specific case), cause/effect, or time/sequence. Then eliminate any choices whose meaning doesn’t match that relationship, even if they “sound good” on their own. Finally, plug the remaining choice back into the sentence to confirm that the logic between the two ideas is clear and smooth.
Hints
Check the relationship between the two sentences
Read both sentences and ask yourself: Is the second sentence showing an opposite idea, adding another related idea, giving an example, or talking about timing?
Focus on the phrase after the blank
Look closely at "these programs also teach volunteers basic gardening skills". How does that relate to the idea of donating fresh produce in the first sentence?
Match the relationship to the transition type
Think about what kind of transition word you would use between two positive actions done by the same group: one where the second is another benefit, not an opposite or a time shift.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what each sentence is saying
First sentence: community gardens donate fresh produce to food banks (a positive action/benefit). Second sentence: the same programs teach volunteers gardening skills so they can grow food at home (another positive action/benefit). Both ideas are good things community gardens do.
Identify the logical relationship
Ask: Is the second sentence opposite, an example, something happening at the same time, or an extra/another benefit? Here, the second sentence gives another benefit of community gardens. It does not disagree with, illustrate a specific instance of, or describe timing relative to the first sentence.
Match the relationship to the transition type
Because the second sentence is adding a new, related benefit to the first, we need a transition that clearly shows addition—similar to words like "also," "in addition," or "furthermore."
Test each choice and choose the best fit
A) "In contrast," signals an opposite or differing idea—does not fit because both sentences are positive and related. B) "For instance," introduces a specific example of the previous idea—does not fit because teaching volunteers skills is not an example of donating produce; it is a different benefit. C) "Meanwhile," suggests two things happening at the same time or a shift in time or focus—there is no time comparison here. D) "Additionally," correctly signals that the second sentence is adding another benefit of community gardens to the first, so this is the best choice.