Question 58·Easy·Transitions
Jazz saxophonist Maria Lopez released her critically acclaimed debut album in 2015. _____ in 2017, she toured internationally, performing at festivals across Europe and Asia.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, always read at least one sentence before and after the blank, then first decide the relationship between ideas (contrast, cause-effect, example, addition, time order, etc.) before looking at the choices. Label each option by its function (for instance, contrast vs. example vs. time) and pick the one whose function matches the relationship you identified, rather than choosing what "sounds good" out of context.
Hints
Look at the years mentioned
Notice the years in each sentence: one says "in 2015" and the other says "in 2017." Think about how these two times relate to each other.
Think about the relationship, not just the sound
Ask yourself: Is the second sentence disagreeing with the first, giving an example of it, adding detail about it, or just telling what happened at another time?
Match transition types to categories
Recall that some transitions show contrast (like "however"), some give examples (like "for instance"), some add specific detail, and some show time order (like when one event comes after another). Decide which type best fits the connection between 2015 and 2017 in this context.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what each sentence is saying
Read the two sentences together:
- First: Maria Lopez released her debut album in 2015.
- Second: In 2017, she toured internationally and performed at festivals.
The second sentence is describing another event in her career that happens after the first one. There is no disagreement or contrast; it is just the next thing that happens.
Decide what kind of relationship connects the sentences
Ask: How does the second sentence relate to the first?
- Is it contrasting the first sentence? (showing an opposite or unexpected result)
- Is it giving an example of something mentioned earlier?
- Is it adding more specific detail about the album release?
- Or is it simply moving forward in time to a later event in her career?
Here, the key words "in 2015" and "in 2017" show a chronological sequence: first the album, then the tour.
Match each answer choice to its function
Identify what each transition word usually does:
- "Nevertheless," introduces a contrast or an unexpected result.
- "For example," introduces a specific instance of a general idea.
- "Specifically," adds more precise detail or clarification.
- One option introduces a later point in time, showing that what follows happened afterward.
Since the sentences are related by time order (2015 then 2017), we need the transition that signals that later event.
Choose the transition that shows time order
Because the second sentence describes what Maria Lopez did after releasing her album, the transition that logically connects the two is "Later,", which clearly shows that the 2017 tour came after the 2015 album release.