Question 30·Hard·Transitions
Solar photovoltaic technology has experienced dramatic cost reductions over the past decade; lower prices have spurred widespread adoption by utilities and homeowners alike. ______ solar still accounts for a relatively small portion of global electricity production; researchers project that continued cost declines could make it the world’s largest power source by mid-century.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, always start by ignoring the answer choices and deciding how the ideas on each side of the blank relate: addition, example, contrast, cause/effect, or comparison. Paraphrase both parts in simple language, label the relationship (e.g., “this is a contrast: good news, then a limitation”), then eliminate choices whose meanings don’t match that relationship, even if they “sound” okay. Finally, plug the remaining option into the sentence to confirm that the logic and tone are consistent.
Hints
Look at the big picture
Read both sentences together and decide: is the second sentence giving an example, a result, an opposite situation, or a limitation/contrast to the first?
Focus on the meaning of the second sentence
The second sentence begins with the idea that solar "still accounts for a relatively small portion of global electricity production." How does that idea compare to the positive news about cost reductions and adoption in the first sentence?
Match the transition types
Think about what each option usually signals: one introduces an example, one introduces a result, one introduces an opposite situation, and one introduces a contrasting limitation. Which type fits the relationship you found?
Step-by-step Explanation
Paraphrase the two sentences
First, restate the ideas in simpler words.
- Sentence 1: Solar has gotten much cheaper in the past decade, and lower prices have led many utilities and homeowners to start using it.
- Sentence 2 (after the blank): Even with that, solar currently makes up only a small share of global electricity, though it might become the largest source by mid-century.
So the passage goes from big progress to a current limitation plus future projection.
Identify the logical relationship at the blank
Ask: How does the second sentence relate to the first?
- The first sentence is positive: big cost reductions, widespread adoption.
- The start of the second sentence is more cautious: solar still produces only a small portion of global electricity.
This creates a contrast between expectations (solar is doing great) and reality (its share is still small). We need a transition that signals this kind of “yes, but” relationship.
Match each choice to a relationship type
Now think about what each transition generally does:
- "For instance," = gives a specific example of the previous idea.
- "Therefore," = shows a result or conclusion from what came before.
- "Conversely," = shows an opposite or reversed situation, often switching to a different subject or side.
Only one choice will clearly show a contrast between progress and a remaining limitation in the same topic (solar power’s status).
Test the choices in the sentence and choose the contrast word
Plug each option into the sentence and check the meaning:
- "For instance, solar still accounts..." suggests the small share is an example of cost reductions and adoption, which doesn’t make sense.
- "Therefore, solar still accounts..." suggests solar’s small share is a result of lower costs and wider adoption, which is the opposite of what we’d expect.
- "Conversely, solar still accounts..." suggests we’re describing an opposite or alternative situation, but we’re still talking about solar in both clauses, just from a different angle.
The passage really means “Even so, solar still accounts for a relatively small portion...”, introducing a limitation despite the progress. The transition that means “even so” or “nevertheless” is "Still,", so the correct answer is B) Still,.