Question 27·Hard·Transitions
Recent archaeological evidence indicates that Neanderthals possessed the ability to create symbolic art, a capacity once thought unique to modern humans. ______ linguists have reassessed theories about the evolution of complex language, suggesting it may have emerged earlier than previously assumed.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, first ignore the answer choices and decide in your own words how the second sentence relates to the first: is it a result, contrast, example, addition, or clarification? Then quickly classify each transition choice by its function (contrast, cause/effect, example, comparison, etc.) and eliminate any that don’t match the relationship you identified. This “relationship first, words second” approach prevents you from being distracted by transitions that sound good but don’t fit the logic of the passage.
Hints
Restate the two sentences in your own words
Before looking at the answer choices, say in simple words what the first sentence is telling you and what new information the second sentence adds. Think about how the second sentence depends on the first.
Identify the relationship between the ideas
Ask yourself: Is the second sentence disagreeing with the first, giving an example of it, comparing it to something else, or describing what happened because of it?
Classify each transition type
Think about what kind of connection each transition usually shows: contrast, example, comparison, or result. Eliminate any choices whose usual function does not match the relationship you identified between the two sentences.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what each sentence is saying
Paraphrase the two sentences:
- First sentence: New archaeological evidence shows Neanderthals could create symbolic art, something once thought unique to modern humans.
- Second sentence: Linguists have rethought theories about how complex language evolved, and now suggest it may have appeared earlier than people used to think.
So, the first sentence gives new evidence, and the second sentence describes a change in theory based on that evidence.
Decide the logical relationship between the ideas
Ask: How is the second sentence related to the first?
- Does it contrast with the first idea?
- Does it provide an example of the first idea?
- Does it compare the first idea to something else?
- Or is it a result/conclusion that follows from the first idea?
Here, the second sentence describes what linguists did because of the new evidence. That is a cause-and-effect relationship: the discovery (cause) leads to theory changes (effect).
Match each transition type to the relationship
Now connect each choice to the type of relationship it usually signals:
- "Nevertheless," typically shows contrast or an unexpected outcome.
- "In comparison," introduces a comparison between two things.
- "For instance," introduces an example of what was just mentioned.
- "Consequently," introduces a result or outcome that follows from what came before.
Only one of these matches a cause-and-effect relationship between evidence and scientists’ response.
Select the transition that shows cause and effect
Since the discovery about Neanderthal art caused linguists to reassess language-evolution theories, the best transition is the one that shows a result. That is "Consequently,", so the correct answer is B) Consequently,.