Question 3·Hard·Transitions
Marine biologists studying coral reefs have observed that certain coral species can adapt to rising ocean temperatures by altering the composition of their symbiotic algae. ______ such adaptations may occur too slowly to keep pace with rapid climate change.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, first ignore the answer choices and decide how the ideas before and after the blank relate: are they adding information, contrasting, showing cause and effect, or giving an example? Then eliminate any choice whose function does not match that relationship, even if it “sounds” okay. Always test the remaining option(s) by reading the full sentence to confirm that the logic is clear and consistent.
Hints
Identify the two sides of the sentence
Look at what the first part says about coral adaptation and what the second part says about how fast that adaptation happens. Are they in agreement or is there some tension between them?
Classify the relationship
Decide whether the second part is adding a similar idea, giving a result, providing an example, or pushing back against/limiting the first idea.
Match the relationship to the transition types
Think about what each transition usually does: which one adds, which one shows cause-and-effect, which one gives an example, and which one signals that there is a problem or contrast with the previous statement?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the two ideas being connected
Read the sentence without the blank and identify the main ideas:
- First idea: Some coral species can adapt to rising temperatures by changing their symbiotic algae.
- Second idea: These adaptations may be too slow to keep up with rapid climate change.
So, the sentence moves from a positive point (ability to adapt) to a negative or limiting point (adaptation may not be fast enough).
Decide the relationship between the ideas
Ask: Is the second idea supporting, causing, or opposing/qualifying the first idea?
- It does not simply add another benefit.
- It does not give a reason or result of the first idea.
- Instead, it qualifies and limits the first idea: even though corals can adapt, that adaptation might be too slow.
This is a contrast or concession relationship (something like “even so” or “however”).
Match each transition type to the relationship
Now, match each option to the relationship we found:
- “In addition,” = adds similar information.
- “Consequently,” = shows a result or effect.
- “For example,” = introduces a specific instance of a general idea.
- One option shows contrast, which matches the “good news, but there’s a problem” structure of the sentence.
The transition that shows contrast and fits this context is “Nevertheless,”.