Question 70·Easy·Transitions
American botanist George Washington Carver believed that plants could offer practical solutions to industrial challenges. _____ he analyzed the chemical composition of crops like peanuts and sweet potatoes, ultimately developing hundreds of innovative products from them.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For SAT transition questions, always read the full sentence before and after the blank and first decide, in your own words, how the ideas are linked: cause-and-effect, contrast, example, addition, or time sequence. Once you’ve labeled the relationship, eliminate any options that signal a different kind of relationship, even if they “sound good” alone. Choose the transition whose usual function (result, contrast, time, etc.) precisely matches the logical connection between the two sentences.
Hints
Look at how the second sentence relates to the first
Ask yourself: Is the second sentence giving an opposite idea, an example, something happening at the same time, or something that happened because of the first sentence?
Focus on Carver’s belief and his actions
He believed plants could solve industrial problems. Then he analyzed crops and made many products. Does that action go against his belief, or does it follow from it?
Think about what each transition type usually does
Some transitions show contrast (like when two ideas disagree), some show time (things happening at the same time), and some show a result. Decide which kind of connection fits these two sentences best, then pick the option that matches that type.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what the question is asking
You are choosing a transition word to fill in the blank at the start of the second sentence. The correct choice must show how the second sentence logically connects to the first one.
Summarize each sentence in your own words
First sentence: Carver believed plants could solve industrial problems.
Second sentence: He studied the chemistry of crops like peanuts and sweet potatoes and created many new products from them.
Ask yourself: Is the second sentence opposing the first idea, simply happening at the same time, or is it something he did because of that belief?
Identify the relationship between the sentences
Carver’s belief about plants comes first. Then we are told about actions he took—analyzing crops and developing products. These actions are consistent with and follow from his belief. That means the relationship is cause-and-effect: his belief (cause) led to his research and inventions (effect).
Match the relationship to the best transition
Now check which option shows a cause-and-effect connection from his belief to his actions:
- “Meanwhile,” usually shows something happening at the same time, not a result.
- “However,” signals contrast, an opposing idea.
- “Despite that,” means “in spite of that” and also suggests contrast.
- “Consequently,” means “as a result,” which fits the cause-and-effect relationship between his belief and what he did.
Therefore, the correct answer is “Consequently,”.