SAT Transitions Question

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Question 1 · Easy · Reading and WritingOctober 2024 Batch 2 · Q23Transitions · 0 solved

Soil polluted with cadmium (a heavy metal) is harmful to many plants and animals, but the plant species Elodea canadensis, or Canadian waterweed, not only thrives in such conditions but also helps remediate them. As a metal hyperaccumulator, Elodea canadensis absorbs a large amount of cadmium and stores it safely in its roots and shoots; ______ cadmium concentrations in the soil decrease.

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Strategy

The semicolon joins two related clauses: the first describes how Elodea canadensis absorbs and stores cadmium, and the second describes the resulting outcome — cadmium concentrations in the soil decrease. The relationship is causal: because the plant accumulates cadmium, the soil's cadmium levels fall. 'Accordingly' signals that the second clause is a consequence or result of the first. 'Specifically' introduces an example, 'nevertheless' introduces a contrast, and 'in addition' adds another related point — none of which fit the cause-and-effect relationship here.

Hints (open one at a time)

Hint 1

Examine the logical relationship between the two clauses: the plant absorbs cadmium and stores it, and then what happens to the soil.

Hint 2

The second clause describes the result or outcome of the plant's hyperaccumulation.

Hint 3

Identify which transition word signals a consequence or result.

Step-by-step Explanation

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The trap here

however vs therefore: the SAT transition question in one question — Contrast or consequence? Most SAT transition questions collapse to that single distinction — if you read both sentences.