Question 79·Easy·Transitions
In the early morning hours, the city streets are almost empty. ______ buses begin their routes, and a few joggers appear on the sidewalks.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, first ignore the answer choices and decide, in your own words, how the sentences relate (similarity, contrast, cause-effect, example, sequence, or progression). Then check each option’s meaning—not its sound—to see which one matches that relationship. Eliminate choices whose function (similarity, contrast, example, etc.) does not fit the way the second sentence connects to the first, and choose the one that captures the exact logical link shown in the passage.
Hints
Look at the relationship between the two sentences
Ask yourself: Is the second sentence repeating the same idea, giving an opposite idea, giving an example, or showing a change from the first sentence?
Focus on the time and action
The first sentence describes the streets as almost empty. The second sentence describes buses starting and joggers appearing. How is the scene changing?
Match the transition type, not the sound
Think about what each kind of transition does: some show similarity, some show contrast, some introduce examples, and some show change over time. Which type is needed here?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what the first sentence is saying
Read the first sentence: “In the early morning hours, the city streets are almost empty.”
This tells us the starting situation: very little is happening, and the streets are nearly empty. Keep that idea in mind: almost empty, very quiet.
Understand how the second sentence relates
Now read the rest: “______ buses begin their routes, and a few joggers appear on the sidewalks.”
This sentence describes what starts to happen after the streets are almost empty: buses start running, and joggers show up. The scene is changing from empty to more active over time.
Identify the logical relationship
Ask yourself: how does the second sentence relate to the first?
It is not repeating the same idea. It is not giving an opposite idea. It is not giving a specific example of “empty streets.” Instead, it shows a progression: things are slowly starting to happen in the city after a quiet period.
So the best transition should show a change or development over time from “almost empty” to “starting to become active.”
Check each transition against that relationship
Now test each option:
- “Similarly,” means “in the same way,” which would suggest the second sentence describes something very similar to the first. But the second sentence shows a change from emptiness to activity, not similarity.
- “On the other hand,” shows contrast or an opposing idea. The second sentence is not an opposite opinion; it’s the next stage in time.
- “For instance,” introduces an example of something already mentioned. The second sentence is not an example of “empty streets”; it’s what happens after the streets are almost empty.
- The remaining option shows a slow, step-by-step change over time, which matches the shift from empty streets to the beginning of activity.
Therefore, the correct answer is “Gradually,”.