Question 64·Easy·Transitions
Researchers recently discovered that mosses growing in Antarctica are absorbing significantly more carbon than scientists previously thought. _____ this finding suggests that these humble plants could play a larger role in slowing regional warming than was once assumed.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, first cover the answer choices and decide, in your own words, how the second sentence relates to the first: is it a cause, effect, example, definition, or contrast? Once you’ve named the relationship (for example, “this is a result of that” or “this disagrees with that”), look back at the options and pick the one whose usual meaning matches that relationship. If a choice would create contrast where the ideas actually agree—or turn a conclusion into an example—eliminate it quickly and move on.
Hints
First, ignore the blank
Read the two sentences without any transition. Ask yourself: Is the second sentence agreeing with, opposing, explaining, or giving an example of the first?
Identify the role of the second sentence
Focus on the phrase "this finding suggests that these humble plants could play a larger role...". Does that sound like a result of the discovery, a contradiction of it, or just an example?
Think about what each transition does
One option shows contrast ("despite that"), another gives an example ("for example"), another signals a result ("because of that"), and another shows opposition ("on the other hand"). Decide which type best fits the relationship you noticed.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand how the two sentences are related
Read the sentences together without any transition:
"Researchers recently discovered that mosses growing in Antarctica are absorbing significantly more carbon than scientists previously thought. ___ this finding suggests that these humble plants could play a larger role in slowing regional warming than was once assumed."
The second sentence explains what this new discovery implies: because mosses absorb more carbon than expected, they may help more to slow warming. That is a consequence or result of the finding, not an opposite idea or a specific example.
Match each transition type to the relationship
Now think about what each option usually signals:
- "Nevertheless," = contrast or contradiction ("despite that").
- "For instance," = an example of a more general statement.
- "As a result," = a consequence or outcome ("because of that").
- "In contrast," = a strong difference or opposition between two things.
The relationship we found is cause-and-effect: the discovery (cause) leads to the conclusion about mosses’ role (effect).
Choose the transition that shows cause and effect
Because the second sentence is a conclusion that follows from the discovery in the first sentence, we need a transition that clearly shows a result of that discovery. Among the choices, only "As a result," expresses this cause-and-effect relationship, so "As a result," is the correct answer.