Question 40·Hard·Transitions
Microbial communities in soil are remarkably diverse, yet many species resist cultivation in the lab. To address this limitation, researchers have developed diffusion chambers that allow microbes to grow in their native environment; ______ they have been able to observe organisms that previously defied study.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For SAT transition questions, first ignore the answer choices and decide what the relationship between the ideas is: cause-and-effect, contrast, example, addition, or time. Then quickly label each option by the type of relationship it usually signals and eliminate those that don’t match. Finally, check that the remaining choice makes the sentence read smoothly and logically in context, not just grammatically.
Hints
Look at what the diffusion chambers accomplished
Focus on the phrase after the blank: "they have been able to observe organisms that previously defied study." How does that relate to the development of diffusion chambers?
Identify the logical relationship
Ask yourself: Is the second part contrasting with the first, giving an example of it, describing something happening at the same time, or showing what happened because of it?
Check each transition’s usual meaning
Think about what each option normally does in a sentence—does it show contrast, introduce an example, indicate time, or connect a cause to its effect?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the relationship between the two ideas
Read the two parts of the sentence:
- First part: scientists develop diffusion chambers to address the limitation of not being able to grow many microbes in the lab.
- Second part: they have been able to observe organisms that were previously impossible to study.
This shows a cause-and-effect relationship: developing diffusion chambers (cause) leads to being able to observe previously unstudied organisms (effect).
Decide what kind of transition is needed
Because the second idea is a result of the first idea, we need a transition that clearly shows outcome or consequence. It should not introduce contrast, a time shift, or an example; it should link the new technique directly to what it allowed researchers to do.
Match each option to its relationship type
Now connect each choice to the relationship it usually signals:
- "nevertheless," signals contrast (something happens despite what was just said).
- "for example," introduces an illustration or specific case of a general statement.
- "meanwhile," signals things happening at the same time.
- One option signals a result or consequence, which is what we need here.
Only the option that expresses a clear result of the first action correctly completes the sentence: A) as a result,.