Question 234·Hard·Transitions
Many coastal cities have invested heavily in constructing concrete seawalls to mitigate flooding. Recent studies, however, question the long-term effectiveness of these barriers. ______ in Galveston, Texas, researchers documented that while the city's century-old seawall reduced wave impact, it also accelerated beach erosion, ultimately leading to higher flood risks for adjacent neighborhoods.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, always read a bit before and after the blank, then briefly label the relationship between the two parts (for example: same idea, example, contrast, cause/effect, time). Next, ignore how the options "sound" and instead match each transition word’s meaning to the relationship you identified. Eliminate any choices that show the wrong relationship (like contrast when the ideas actually support each other), and only then choose the option whose meaning precisely fits the logical connection in the passage.
Hints
Look at the function of the Galveston sentence
Ask yourself: Is the Galveston example agreeing, disagreeing, explaining a result, or simply giving a specific case of what was just described?
Summarize the relationship in your own words
In your own words, describe how the Galveston study relates to the phrase "Recent studies, however, question the long-term effectiveness of these barriers." Is it an example, a contrast, or a consequence?
Match meaning, not sound
Think about what each transition generally means: contrast, cause/effect, same time, or narrowing to a particular example. Pick the one whose meaning best matches the relationship you just described.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what comes before and after the blank
First, read the whole passage without the answer choices. The first two sentences say that many cities have built seawalls and that recent studies question their long-term effectiveness. The part after the blank talks about researchers in Galveston, Texas, finding that the seawall reduced waves but increased erosion and flood risk.
Identify the relationship between the ideas
Ask: How does the Galveston example relate to the statement about recent studies questioning seawalls' effectiveness? The Galveston study is one specific case that illustrates and supports the general point that there may be long-term problems with seawalls. So the relationship is "general claim" followed by a specific supporting example.
Recall what each transition type usually signals
Now think about the typical meaning of each kind of transition word:
- One option means "in particular" or "as a specific example."
- One option means "in spite of that" and shows contrast.
- One option means "as a result" and shows cause and effect.
- One option means "at the same time" or "in the meantime" and usually shifts to something happening during the same period, often in a different place or situation. Keep in mind you want the word that introduces a specific example of the general claim about seawalls.
Match the meaning to the context and choose the answer
Because the Galveston study is a specific example that supports the general statement about studies questioning seawalls' effectiveness, the transition that means "in particular" or "as a specific example" fits best. That word is "Specifically," so the correct answer is A) Specifically,.