Question 23·Medium·Transitions
Bats play an essential role in pollinating many tropical plants. ______ they also help control insect populations, consuming thousands of mosquitoes and agricultural pests each night.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, ignore what “sounds good” at first and instead clearly identify the logical relationship between the two parts of the sentence: addition, contrast, cause-and-effect, example, or time/order. Briefly restate the connection in your own words (e.g., “This is another benefit” or “This is an opposite idea”), then eliminate any choices whose meanings don’t match that relationship. Finally, plug in the remaining option to confirm that the sentence reads smoothly and accurately reflects the connection.
Hints
Look at the overall meaning
Ask yourself: Is the second sentence supporting, opposing, explaining the result of, or giving an example of the first sentence?
Focus on the word "also"
The word "also" in the second part already suggests a certain kind of relationship between the two ideas. Think about what kind of connection that word signals.
Test each transition logically
Try briefly paraphrasing the connection: “Bats do X. ______ they do Y.” Which choice best joins two separate but similarly positive facts, without implying contrast, cause-and-effect, or a specific example of X?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what the first sentence says
The first sentence states a positive fact: "Bats play an essential role in pollinating many tropical plants." So we already have one important benefit or role of bats.
Understand what comes after the blank
The second part says: "they also help control insect populations, consuming thousands of mosquitoes and agricultural pests each night." This is another positive role of bats (helping control insects) and is clearly in addition to pollinating plants, not the opposite of it or caused by it.
Decide the logical relationship between the two ideas
The sentence after the blank does not:
- Contrast with the first idea (it doesn't show a downside or opposite point).
- Explain a result of the first idea (controlling insects is not a result of pollinating plants).
- Give a specific example of pollinating plants.
Instead, it adds a second, separate benefit of bats.
Match the relationship to the best transition
Now match the relationship (adding another similar point) to the options:
- "Consequently," = result
- "For instance," = example
- "However," = contrast
- "Moreover," = another/additional point
Because the second clause simply adds another benefit of bats, the transition that best fits is D) Moreover,.