Question 240·Hard·Transitions
Economic downturns often force households to prioritize essential spending. The so-called "lipstick effect" suggests that during recessions, consumers indulge in small luxury items as affordable mood enhancers. ______ a recent study of 10,000 shoppers found that sales of premium nail polish rose by 12 percent even as overall retail spending fell.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, always read at least one sentence before and after the blank and decide what the relationship is (example, contrast, cause-and-effect, addition, etc.) before looking closely at the choices. Then, classify each option by the type of relationship it signals and eliminate any that do not match the actual connection between the sentences, even if they “sound” natural on their own. This idea-first, word-second approach quickly narrows options and prevents picking familiar but ill-fitting transitions like “however” or “therefore.”
Hints
Check the relationship between ideas
Look at the sentence before the blank (about the lipstick effect) and the sentence after the blank (about the study). Are they agreeing, disagreeing, or is one explaining or illustrating the other?
Classify each transition type
Think about what each option usually shows: some signal contrast, some show an opposite situation, and some show a result or an illustration. Match these general types to the four choices.
Focus on the function of the study
Ask yourself: Is the study being used as a result, as something that contradicts the lipstick effect, as an opposite situation, or as a specific case that supports the idea?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what the passage is saying so far
Read the first two sentences together:
- Economic downturns make households focus on essential spending.
- The “lipstick effect” says that even then, people still buy small luxury items to boost their mood.
The third sentence talks about a study showing higher sales of premium nail polish during a recession. Ask: Is this new sentence agreeing with, contradicting, reversing, or explaining/illustrating the idea just given?
Identify the role of the third sentence
The third sentence describes “a recent study of 10,000 shoppers” and gives a specific number: nail polish sales rose 12% while overall spending fell.
This is a concrete, specific case that supports the general claim about the lipstick effect. That means its job is to illustrate or provide evidence for the previous statement, not to argue against it or show the opposite.
Match each transition type to the relationship
Now think about what each transition word usually shows:
- However, = contrast (something that goes against or qualifies what came before)
- Conversely, = an opposite or reversed situation (on the other hand)
- Therefore, = a logical result or conclusion
- [Correct choice] = introduces a specific example or illustration
Since the third sentence gives a supporting example of the lipstick effect, you need the transition that introduces an example.
Select the transition that introduces an example
Because the third sentence provides a specific study that illustrates the general idea of the lipstick effect, the most logical transition is “For example,”.