Question 51·Hard·Transitions
In urban areas, installing vegetation-covered "green roofs" has been shown to lower summertime building temperatures by reflecting sunlight and adding insulation. These cooler interior conditions can reduce reliance on air-conditioning systems, thereby cutting energy use. ______ a multi-year analysis of five northern cities revealed that buildings outfitted with green roofs actually consumed more energy during winter months, largely negating the summer savings.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, always ignore the answer choices at first and focus on the sentences around the blank: briefly restate what comes before and after, then label their relationship (same idea, contrast, cause/effect, example, etc.). Once you know the relationship, eliminate any choices whose meanings don’t match that relationship, even if they seem to “sound good,” and choose the transition whose typical use (similarity, contrast, example, result) best fits the logic of the passage.
Hints
Check the ideas before and after the blank
Read the first two sentences and then the clause starting with “a multi-year analysis...” Ask yourself: Is the study confirming the earlier benefit, giving an example of it, or pushing back against it?
Classify the relationship
Decide whether the information after the blank is similar to, caused by, an example of, or in tension with the earlier statements about green roofs saving energy in summer.
Think about what each transition usually does
Without plugging them in yet, recall what “Similarly,” “Consequently,” and “For instance,” usually signal in writing, and see which type of connection actually matches the sentence.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the relationship between the ideas
First, summarize each part in your own words:
- Earlier sentences: Green roofs cool buildings in summer and reduce energy use.
- Clause after the blank: A study found that buildings with green roofs used more energy in winter, canceling out the summer savings. These ideas are in tension: the first part is positive (energy savings), while the later part shows a negative result that undercuts those savings.
Decide what kind of transition is needed
Ask: Does the new information support, result from, give an example of, or contradict the earlier information?
- The new information does not support or illustrate the earlier benefit.
- Instead, it goes against the earlier positive claim by saying the winter energy use offsets the summer savings. So, the transition should show a contrast or unexpected twist between the two ideas.
Match each option to its typical use
Now think about what each choice usually signals:
- Similarly, – adds another point that is like the previous one.
- Consequently, – shows a result or effect.
- For instance, – introduces an example of the previous idea.
- (Remaining option) – is used when the next idea contrasts with or runs counter to what was just said. Because we already decided the relationship is contrast, we should choose the option that signals this type of relationship.
Select the transition that shows contrast
Only “Nevertheless,” signals that what follows happens in spite of the earlier information, which fits the surprising finding that winter energy use cancels out the summer savings. So the best answer is D) Nevertheless,.