Question 91·Easy·Transitions
Geese migrate thousands of miles between their summer breeding grounds and their winter habitats. ______ scientists have long been fascinated by the birds’ ability to navigate such vast distances without prior experience.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For SAT transition questions, always read the sentence (or pair of sentences) around the blank and label the logical relationship in your own words: cause-and-effect, contrast, example, similarity, time, etc. Then quickly test each option by its function (e.g., "nevertheless" = contrast, "similarly" = comparison, "meanwhile" = same time, "for this reason" = cause-and-effect) and choose the one whose function exactly matches the relationship you identified, rejecting any option whose meaning doesn’t fit even if it sounds smooth.
Hints
Look at the relationship between the two ideas
Read the sentence before and after the blank. Is the second part agreeing with, explaining, or contrasting with the first part about geese migrating thousands of miles?
Decide what kind of connection is needed
Ask yourself: Does scientists’ fascination seem to be caused by the birds’ ability, or is it something unexpected, similar, or just happening at the same time?
Match each transition type to the sentence
Think about what each option usually shows: contrast, similarity, time, or cause-and-effect. Then pick the one whose type best matches the relationship you identified.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what each part of the sentence is saying
Read the full sentence with the blank:
"Geese migrate thousands of miles between their summer breeding grounds and their winter habitats. ______ scientists have long been fascinated by the birds’ ability to navigate such vast distances without prior experience."
The first sentence tells us what geese do (migrate long distances). The second clause tells us how scientists feel about this (they have long been fascinated by that ability).
Identify the logical relationship between the two ideas
Ask: Is scientists’ fascination surprising or expected given what geese do?
It makes sense that scientists would be fascinated because geese can navigate thousands of miles without prior experience. So the second idea is a result or reaction to the first — a cause-and-effect relationship, not a contrast or a separate, simultaneous event.
Figure out what type of transition you need
Since the first idea (geese’ impressive migration) explains why scientists are fascinated, the transition should show that the second clause is caused by or explained by the first.
So we need a connector that links the first sentence as the reason for scientists’ fascination, rather than one that shows contrast, similarity, or timing.
Check each option’s meaning and choose the one that matches
Now match each option to the needed cause-and-effect relationship:
- "Nevertheless," shows contrast or an unexpected result.
- "Similarly," shows a comparison to something similar.
- "Meanwhile," shows things happening at the same time.
- "For this reason," shows that what follows is a result of what was just stated.
Because scientists are fascinated as a result of geese’s impressive migration ability, the transition that logically fits is "For this reason,".