Question 245·Medium·Transitions
Researchers once believed the giant squid rarely surfaced, preferring to remain in deep ocean trenches. ______ recent footage from remotely operated vehicles has captured several individuals hunting near the surface at night.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, always read at least one sentence before and after the blank, then clearly label the relationship between them: same idea/addition, contrast, cause-and-effect, example, or time/sequence. Once you know the relationship, classify each answer choice by its function and quickly eliminate any that don’t match (for instance, remove cause-and-effect words if the ideas clearly contradict). This approach is faster and more reliable than choosing a transition just because it “sounds good.”
Hints
Focus on the relationship
Read both sentences together and ask: Is the second sentence supporting, giving an example of, contradicting, or causing what’s in the first sentence?
Check what the new evidence does
Think about what the recent footage shows about the squid. Does this match the earlier belief about staying deep, or go against it?
Classify each transition type
Before choosing, quickly recall what each option usually shows: example/illustration, time/parallel events, cause-and-effect, or a difference between ideas.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what the first sentence says
The first sentence states an old belief: researchers once thought giant squid rarely surfaced and preferred deep ocean trenches.
Understand what the second sentence adds
The second sentence introduces new evidence: recent footage from remotely operated vehicles has captured several giant squid hunting near the surface at night. This behavior goes against the idea that they rarely surface and stay deep.
Decide the relationship between the two ideas
Ask yourself: Does the new footage support, explain, or contradict the old belief? Here, the footage shows frequent surface activity, which contradicts the idea that they rarely surfaced and stayed deep. So the relationship is one of contrast between old belief and new evidence.
Match the transition type and eliminate mismatches
Now look at the answer choices by type:
- For example,: introduces an example that supports or illustrates the previous statement (not a contradiction).
- Meanwhile,: shows two things happening at the same time, often in parallel.
- Therefore,: shows a result or conclusion from what came before.
- However,: signals contrast or an unexpected difference.
Because the second sentence presents new information that contradicts the earlier belief, the only transition that correctly shows this contrast is "However,".