Question 92·Medium·Transitions
Many farmers have adopted drip irrigation systems to reduce water usage. _____ studies show that this technology can lower overall water consumption by up to 50 percent while maintaining crop yields.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For transition questions, first ignore the answer choices and focus on the relationship between the sentences: Is the next sentence supporting, contrasting, giving a result, giving an example, or changing the topic? Once you’ve labeled that relationship in your own words, eliminate any options that signal the wrong type (for example, remove contrast words if there is no contrast). Choose the transition whose meaning matches the logical connection you identified, even if multiple options sound smooth grammatically.
Hints
Check how the ideas are related
Ask yourself: Does the second sentence oppose the first, explain a result of it, ignore it, or back it up with more support?
Look for contrast vs. support
Do the two sentences show a difference in viewpoint, or is the second sentence on the same side as the first, adding to the same main idea?
Match the meaning, not the sound
Go through each transition and think about the kind of relationship it signals (contrast, result, or something else) and see which one fits the relationship you identified between the two sentences.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what the first sentence is saying
Read the first sentence: "Many farmers have adopted drip irrigation systems to reduce water usage." This makes a general claim that farmers use a certain technology (drip irrigation) with the goal of using less water.
Understand what the second sentence is doing
The second sentence says that studies show this technology can lower water consumption by up to 50 percent while still maintaining crop yields. This is a specific piece of evidence that supports and strengthens the claim that drip irrigation reduces water usage without harming production.
Decide the relationship between the two sentences
The second sentence does not show a contrast with the first, and it is not a result that comes after the first sentence in time. Instead, it gives proof or confirmation that the first sentence’s claim is true and beneficial.
Match that relationship to the best transition
We need a transition that introduces a statement confirming and reinforcing the previous idea.
- "By contrast," signals an opposite or different idea.
- "Consequently," signals a result or effect.
- "Regardless," signals ignoring the previous information.
- Only "Indeed," is used to introduce a statement that reinforces or emphasizes what was just said.
Therefore, the correct answer is B) Indeed,.