Question 76·Easy·Transitions
Most electric cars can travel more than 200 miles on a single charge, making them practical for daily commutes. _____ long-distance road trips still require careful planning because high-speed charging stations are less common in rural areas.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, first ignore the options and decide, in your own words, how the second sentence relates to the first: Is it adding a similar point, giving an example, showing a result, or introducing a contrast or exception? Then quickly match that relationship to the function of each transition word and eliminate choices that signal the wrong relationship. Reading the sentences together with each option plugged in can confirm your choice, but rely most on logic, not just what “sounds good.”
Hints
Focus on the relationship between the two sentences
Read the two sentences together without any transition. Ask yourself: Is the second sentence supporting, explaining, contradicting, or limiting the first one?
Classify the second sentence’s role
The first sentence describes a benefit of electric cars. Does the second sentence give another benefit, give a specific instance of that benefit, show a result of it, or mention a difficulty that comes with it?
Use elimination based on transition functions
Think about what "Similarly," "For example," and "Therefore," usually do: one shows a similar point, one gives a specific illustration, and one gives a conclusion or result. Do any of those accurately describe how the second sentence relates to the first?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what each sentence is saying
Read the two sentences without the blank:
- First sentence: Electric cars are practical for daily commutes because they can travel more than 200 miles on a single charge (a benefit/advantage).
- Second sentence: Long-distance road trips still need careful planning because fast chargers are rare in rural areas (a challenge/limitation).
So the second sentence does not simply add another benefit; it points out a problem or complication.
Identify the logical relationship between the sentences
Ask: How does the second idea relate to the first one?
- Is it similar to the first idea? (Another benefit?)
- Is it an example of the first idea?
- Is it a result or conclusion from the first idea?
- Or is it a complication or exception to the first idea?
Here, the second sentence shows that even though electric cars are practical for daily commutes, there is still a difficulty with using them for long trips. That means the relationship is one of contrast: benefit vs. limitation.
Match each choice to the type of relationship it signals
Now think about what each transition usually does:
- "Similarly," introduces something that is like or matches the previous idea.
- "For example," introduces a specific case of the previous general statement.
- "Therefore," introduces a result or conclusion that logically follows.
None of these fit a contrast between a benefit and a limitation. The missing transition must be the one that signals a contrast between the two sentences.
Choose the transition that correctly signals contrast
The only choice that signals a contrast between the benefit (practical for daily commutes) and the drawback (road trips are harder to plan) is D) "However,".