Transitions

Transitions
What are transitions and how are they used?
• Transitions are phrases or words used to connect one idea to the next.
• Transitions are used by the author to help the reader progress from one significant idea
to the next.
• Transitions also show the relationship within a paragraph (or within a sentence)
between the main idea and the support the author gives for those ideas.
• Before using a particular transitional, be sure you understand its meaning and usage
completely and be sure that it's the right match for the logic in context.
• Different transitions do different things.

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Addition: All these word could be replaced by "and"

Indeed Moreover Also

Further What is more As well
Furthermore In addition/Additionally In broad terms
Besides Next
Na Not to mention

These transition words add information and express agreement with preceding material.

Examples:
- Reading is a good way to learn new vocabulary words. Furthermore, it can improve
your ability to spell words correctly.
Grilling makes meat taste really good. As well, it allows fatty juices to drain away from
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the meat.
- Jim had to be careful not to step upon the tiny piglets. Also, he tried to protect the
pretty little things from injury.
Religion offers people an opportunity to reflect on their personal existence. Moreover, it
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brings communities together in a spirit of peace and cooperation.
- He stood me up and left me standing in the rain. What's more, I broke a heel trying to
hail a cab.
- Double-decker buses can move a lot of people through dense urban areas. In addition /
Additionally, they provide a good view from which to see a city.
- He doesn't mind being unemployed right now. Besides, it gives him more time to ride
his skateboard.
- I'd love to own a horse and go riding every day. On the other hand, taking care of the
animal is a very big responsibility.
 Transitions

Contrast and concession: All these word could be replaced by "but"

However Conversely Otherwise

But Nevertheless Nonetheless
Yet Despite By/In contrast
On the other hand Alternatively Even so
Notwithstanding Unfortunately
These transition words express that there is evidence to the contrary and thus introduce a
change the line of reasoning (contrast).

Examples:
- We had a small drop in sales last month. However, we are still above the plan.
He is a great swimmer, but he prefers to play golf.

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- I’ve asked you a thousand times not to leave your dirty socks on the floor. Yet, you keep
doing it.
- House prices have gone up this year. In contrast, car prices seem to be stagnating.
- I was in so much pain I didn’t want to get up in the morning. Nevertheless, I went to
football practice as usual.
-
-
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Joan lived in Tokyo for ten years. Nevertheless, she can't speak any Japanese.
Sigmund Freud once said: The great question which I have not been able to
answer, despite my thirty years of research into the feminine soul, is: What does a
woman want?
- If you love and encourage your children, they will develop good self-esteem. Conversely,
if you are harsh and critical, they may become angry and insecure.
- The Buddha tells us that to keep the body in good health is a duty. Otherwise, we shall
not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.

Effect/Result: All these word could be replaced by "so"

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As a result Consequently In consequence

Thereafter Hence Thus
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Accordingly Therefore For these reasons

These transition words are time words that are used to show that after a particular time
there was a consequence or an effect.

Examples:
- I’ve done a pranic healing course. As a result, I’ve been able to cure my neighbor’s sick
cat.
- Zack has skipped school on many occasions. consequently, he’s failed his French test.
- He has a race tomorrow. Therefore, he can’t stay out late tonight.
- You didn’t tell me you wanted to come. Thus, we booked only three seats not four.
- He has a race tomorrow. Hence, he can’t stay out late tonight.
- Plenty of tourists visit the area in summer. Accordingly, selling hand-made objects is
the main source of income for locals.
- The athlete was caught using drugs. For this reason, he was kicked off the team.
 Transitions

Exemplifying:

For example For instance Specially

Particularly In particular

These transition words are used to follow a specific idea after a general idea as an example or
support to it.

Examples:
- Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. For instance, Swallows leave the
UK in early winter and fly south.
- My father loves going to restaurants which serve exotic foods. For example, last week
he went to a restaurant which serves deep-fried rattlesnake.

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- A person could change a lot in a few years. Especially, when they were that young.
- The neighboring country is pleasant enough. Particularly, along the river, but the town
itself is purely industrial, and contains no pre-eminent buildings.

Similarity:
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Similarly In the same way Likewise

These transition words add information, reinforce ideas, and express agreement with
preceding material.

Examples:
- You’re not allowed to use your phone here. Similarly, you have to switch it off when
you’re in the library.
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- Cutting down on sugar will help you lose weight. In the same way, doing more exercise
will help you get rid of a few kilos.
- The banks advise against sending cash. Likewise, sending British cheques may cause
problems
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Conclusion:

To conclude–Eventually–At last–Lastly–Finally–In short–Ultimately–To these ends…etc.

These transition words conclude, summarize, or restate ideas, or indicate a final general
statement.

Places of the transition words:

a) _________________ . Transition, Subject + Verb

b) _________________ . Subjects, transition, Verb
c) _________________ . Full Sentence……….. , transition
 Transitions

Practice
Beginners

1) Having a car can be very convenient. Also, it's 7) Beekeeping is an important occupation.
expensive to buy and maintain one. Consequently, it is tiring because the beekeeper
(A) No change must keep himself covered at all times.
(B) Moreover (A) No change
(C) Consequently (B) Thus
(D) However (C) Moreover
2) Hector decided not to use a map. Consequently, (D) On the other hand
he got lost and never found his way out of the 8) Our lives have become complicated. However,
forest. There he died. we've decided to simplify things and move to a
(A) No change log cabin in the country.

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(B) Finally (A) No change
(C) For example (B) Accordingly
(D) Likewise (C) Likewise
3) His skin burns very easily. Besides, he's decided (D) Also
to stay under an umbrella and wear lots of 9) He spends too much time doing office work even
sunscreen.
(A) No change
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she's thinking about ending the relationship.
(B) Otherwise (A) No change
(C) Therefore (B) Moreover
(D) Nevertheless (C) Despite
4) Jim is in love with Graciella. However, he's not (D) Alternatively
sure if she loves him. 10) Nim could easily get a job as a nurse if she
(A) No change moved to the United States; Moreover, she would
(B) Accordingly miss her family in Thailand if she moved away.
(C) Similarly (A) No change
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(D) Moreover (B) For example
5) Living in a cold climate is difficult for some (C) On the other hand
people. In addition, there are many fun winter (D) Finally
activities, such as sledding, that you can't do in a 11) The birds in our backyard couldn't find enough to
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warm climate. eat. For instance, we set up a bird feeder and now
(A) No change they're okay.
(B) On the other hand (A) No change
(C) Moreover (B) Thus
(D) Thus (C) However
6) Bill doesn't mind working late. What's more, he's (D) In addition
a little scared of walking home by himself at this 12) They practice their instruments; However, they
time of the night. study theory and music history.
(A) NO change (A) No change
(B) In contrast (B) Therefore
(C) In addition (C) In addition
(D) Therefore (D) Specially
 Transitions

13) Gas prices rose too high for Matt to 19) She doesn't want to move to San Francisco
afford. Consequently, he sold his car and made because it's too expensive to live there.
his daily commute by bike. Therefore, she likes living in a cold‫ـ‬weather state.
(A) No change (A) No change
(B) Likewise (B) Besides
(C) Furthermore (C) However
(D) Besides (D) Nevertheless
14) Walter has a lot of work to do. Moreover, he's 20) Owning a house can cost a lot of money. Thus,
too tired to finish it. home ownership is a big part of living the
(A) No change American dream.
(B) Thus (A) No change
(C) As a result (B) In addition
(D) However (C) Therefore
15) Hector was a very good student who studied (D) Nevertheless

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constantly. Consequently, he found a very good 21) Marijuana is less toxic than alcohol or tobacco.
job after he graduated from college. Nevertheless, some people believe it should be
(A) No change legalized.
(B) Likewise (A) No change
(C) In addition (B) For example
(D) In the same way (C) Therefore
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16) Driving while distracted increases your chances
of getting into an accident. What's more, it
(D) What's more
22) Her singing abilities aren't as good as the others
endangers the lives of other drivers. in the choir. Also, she enjoys singing.
(A) No change (A) No change
(B) Despite (B) Therefore
(C) Finally (C) Nevertheless
(D) For instance (D) For example
17) It's important to be cautious when using a 23) The rainforests are being destroyed. Despite,
chainsaw. Hence, accidents and injuries still many species of wildlife are becoming extinct.
happen. (A) No change
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(A) No change (B) Therefore
(B) Besides (C) Likewise
(C) Moreover (D) For instance
(D) Nevertheless 24) I missed my family; likewise, they missed their
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18) Recycling is an easy way to conserve natural son.

resources. Thus, it can help reduce garbage (A) No change
disposal costs. (B) However
(A) No change (C) Finally
(B) Despite (D) Furthermore
(C) Also 25) I love to go to the gym. Especially, my sister
(D) Likewise prefers to exercise at home.
(A) No change
(B) Moreover
(C) In the same way
(D) In contrast
 Chapter 10 Transitions

26) The current political situation is worrying. In 30) I don't like Italian food. Also, I don't eat pasta or
addition, people do not seem to be too worried pizza.
about it. (A) No change
(A) No change (B) Therefore
(B) However (C) Moreover
(C) Therefore (D) Despite
(D) Similarly 31) Students should attend class. Otherwise, they
27) Caracas is fun and the weather there is beautiful. may lose their status.
Besides, it is a very dangerous city to live in. (A) No change
(A) No change (B) But
(B) Therefore (C) Moreover
(C) Likewise (D) For example
(D) On the other hand 32) I need to wear reading glasses. In addition, I hate

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28) We have to take care of the environment. how I look in them.
However, we need to educate our children so (A) No change
they do not make the same mistake. (B) Therefore
(A) No change (C) Nevertheless
(B) Nevertheless (D) Likewise
(C) Moreover
Na 33) Silk possesses qualities invaluable in nest
(D) As a result building. However, birds incorporate or introduce
29) There are lots of beautiful people around me. For silk into their nests, including it as a component.
instance, I have a wonderful family that supports (A) No change
and loves me dearly. (B) For this reason
(A) No change (C) Likewise
(B) Nevertheless (D) Moreover
(C) Thus
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(D) At least
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 Transitions

Intermediate

1) Poachers have hunted and killed too many
elephants for their tusks. For instance,
they have become an endangered species
in some parts of the world.
(A) No change
(B) Hence
(C) However
(D) In addition
2) Homelessness produces intense feelings of
despair in those who don't have a place to
live. Nevertheless, it produces feelings of
guilt among people who are not homeless.
6) The United States suffered terribly under
a weakened economy and a lack of
government oversight in 2008. For
example, the Democrats easily won in the
November 2008 elections.
(A) No change
(B) Thus
(C) Otherwise
(D) What's more
7) The use of fire by early humankind made
cold climates more inhabitable. However,
it made people more productive by

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(A) No change lengthening the number of hours that
(B) However people could do work.
(C) Furthermore (A) No change
(D) Consequently (B) Furthermore
3) Astronomy has been an interest of human (C) Nevertheless
beings for centuries. Moreover, our (D) Therefore
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curiosity has led to a better understanding 8) Life in the United States is easy compared
of our place in the solar system and to other parts of the world; Also, the stress
human space exploration. of daily American life makes one wonder
(A) No change how easy it really is.
(B) However (A) No change
(C) Thus (B) In consequence
(D) Likewise (C) Similarly
4) There were too many accidents on this (D) On the other hand
road when the speed limit was 55 miles 9) An adequate water supply is important to
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per hour. Similarly, the city decided to a farmer's success. Nonetheless, irrigation
lower it to 45 miles per hour. The limit for is used in places where water is in short
snowmobiles was also lowered. supply.
(A) No change (A) No change
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(B) As well (B) As well

(C) For instance (C) For instance
(D) Therefore (D) Therefore
5) In primate troops, males “defend, control, 10) There are many benefits to
and lead the troop.” Despite, the troops are exercising. Thus, you must take some
dominated by adult males. precautions to avoid injury.
(A) No change (A) No change
(B) Nevertheless (B) However
(C) Consequently (C) Moreover
(D) For example (D) Therefore
 Transitions

11) No one likes to feed parking meters.
Nevertheless, they are a low-cost
alternative to parking garages, and they
help keep city streets free of abandoned
vehicles.
(A) No change
(B) Moreover
(C) Hence
(D) Likewise
12) Kurtis was told not to go out fishing before
the storm. For this reason, the coast guard
came to his assistance when he called for
help.
15) To fail, one must first make an attempt. In
that attempt, experience expands, new
ideas blossom, and viewpoints change.
Nevertheless, even if one does not always
accomplish what he or she sets out to do,
one gains new knowledge from the
attempt.
(A) No change
(B) Therefore
(C) In other words
(D) However
16) This timber wolf was hunted almost to the
point of extinction. Nevertheless, the

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(A) No change government put it on an endangered
(B) Nevertheless species list and now it's protected by law.
(C) Also (A) No change
(D) Similarly (B) In the same way
(C) For this reason
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13) We have ignored environmental issues for
(D) But
many years. For instance, we have a
plethora of problems related to the matter. 17) Ninety per cent of the energy used in the
(A) No change US comes from fossil fuels, oil, coal, and
(B) Consequently natural gas, but problems arise from other
(C) However sources. For example, nuclear power
(D) What's more plants leave radioactive by-products,
14) Many people seem too busy to take the making storage difficult.
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time to understand one another. However, (A) No change
my father sees taking time to listen as (B) Nevertheless
essential to any relationship. (C) Furthermore
(A) No change (D) Subsequently
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(B) Also
(C) For instance
(D) Thus

Advanced
1) Questions about the Model 3 are more
pointed now that General Motors Co
(GM.N) has confirmed it expects its
$35,000 Chevy Bolt electric car to launch
at the end of this year. However, German
competitors are speeding up plans to offer
luxury electric cars.
(A) No change
(B) Also
(C) Finally
(D) For example
2) Prime Minister Shinzo Abe launched a
bold economic revival drive in late 2012,
known as Abenomics, with fiscal
expansion, monetary stimulus and what
was supposed to be sweeping reforms.
Na
Moreover last arrow has missed its mark
with critics
(A) No change
(B) For instance
(C) However
(D) Therefore
3) North Korea said the rocket was carrying
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a satellite. It was launched early Sunday
morning near the northwestern border
with China. The North said the launch is
part of its peaceful program to send
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satellite into orbit. What's more, many
experts said the space program is being
used to hide its test of nuclear weapons
and ballistic missiles systems.
(A) No change
(B) Especially
(C) In addition
(D) In contrast
Transitions
4) To be legitimate authorities, all
governments must uphold man’s rights
and do justice. Otherwise, the people owe a
lawless and tyrannical ruler no allegiance
at all.
(A) No change
(B) However
(C) Therefore
(D) Moreover
5) The humorous story is American; the
comic story, English; the witty story,
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French. The humorous story depends for
its effect upon the manner of the telling;
the comic story and the witty story upon
the matter. The humorous story may be
spun out to great length, and may wander
around as much as it pleases, and arrive
nowhere in particular. However, the comic
and witty stories must be brief and end
with a point.
(A) No change
(B) Thus
(C) Additionally
(D) In broad terms
6) The catastrophist theories hypothesized or
maintained that mountains and species
were created by sudden dramatic events or
catastrophes. Moreover, Darwin theorized
that nature was the result of cumulative,
gradual change.
(A) No change
(B) However
(C) Thus
(D) Likewise
 Transitions

7) The silence of the poor reaffirms their
sense of despair. They feel powerless to
alter their condition. Yet, they listen but
don’t say anything.
(A) No change
(B) Conversely
(C) Consequently
(D) Also
8) The city of Paris might come to have some
symbolic value for you, bringing a mood of
joy to your mind. Nevertheless, the
relationship between the city and the
mood is not an inherent, built-in one; it is
purely coincidental.
(A) No change
12) Picasso admitted that at the time he was
working on Les Demoiselles “he was much
interested in Iberian” or ancient Spanish
sculpture. But he may have been
influenced by ancient Spanish art.
(A) No change
(B) Accordingly,
(C) However,
(D) Moreover,
13) While the education provided the Indians
in the colleges of the northern provinces
included all the white men’s sciences, it
did not prepare these young men for life in
the woods. Thus, it did not meet the
Indian elders’ educational goals. It is clear

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(B) Hence that the Indians and the gentlemen of
(C) In addition Virginia have different educational goals.
(D) For instance (A) No change
9) Presidents, like everyone else, hate to be (B) However
criticized in public. For instance, they all (C) For example
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have experienced hostility between (D) Conversely
themselves and the press. 14) The arboreal cacti lack access to moisture
(A) No change because they grow high up in the canopy
(B) In contrast with no root connections to the soil.
(C) In consequence However, both kinds of cacti have had to
(D) Likewise develop features to cut down or reduce the
10) This important trade involving vast loss of moisture.
quantities of textiles was so vital to the (A) No change
economy that not even a war could stop it. (B) Nevertheless
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Particularly, it continued or kept on taking (C) In addition
place through the Revolutionary War. (D) Therefore
(A) No change 15) As founder and president of the Children’s
(B) Nonetheless Defense Fund, Marian Wright Edelman
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(C) Finally has ensured that the young cannot vote or

(D) As a result make campaign contributions. Therefore,
11) She yearned for the fame that only that they are not ignored in Washington.
world could give. Furthermore, she felt (A) No change
contempt for the world of money, opinion (B) Similarly
and power. (C) Nevertheless
(A) No change (D) Moreover
(B) However
(C) Moreover
(D) Thus

16) The family itself had to remain honest and
upright. Moreover, the geomancer’s job
was not only to identify bad and good sites
but also to advise on how to mitigate evil
influences or to improve good ones.
Response consequences serve as
reinforcers of the behavior, then, and tend
to perpetuate the behavior. Yet, an infant
who spontaneously makes a sound, which
is then followed by an attractive
Official Guide Questions
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1) Greek yogurt is slightly lower in sugar and
carbohydrates than conventional yogurt is.
Also, because it is more concentrated,
Greek yogurt contains slightly more
protein per serving.
(A) NO CHANGE
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(B) In other words,
(C) Therefore,
(D) For instance,
2) The ice sheet begins to show evidence of
thawing in late summer. For example, in
the summer of 2012, virtually the entire
Greenland Ice Sheet underwent thawing
at or near its surface by mid-July, the
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earliest date on record.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) However,
(C) As such,
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(D) Moreover,
3) The spaces are usually stocked with
standard office equipment, such as
photocopiers, printers, and fax machines.
In these locations, however, the spaces
often include small meeting areas and
larger rooms for hosting presentations.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) In addition to equipment,
(C) For these reasons,
(D) Likewise,
Transitions
consequence such as sweet fluid or the
smiling presence of the mother, will very
likely repeat the act with increasing
frequency as time and reinforcement goes
on.
(A) No change
(B) Therefore
(C) However
(D) Likewise
4) Philosophy is now being seen by many
students and prospective employers as in
fact a very useful and practical major,
offering students a host of transferable
skills with relevance to the modern
workplace. In broad terms, philosophy is
the study of meaning and the values
underlying thought and behavior.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) For example,
(C) In contrast,
(D) Nevertheless,
5) A 1994 survey concluded that only 18
percent of American colleges required at
least one philosophy course. Therefore,
between 1992 and 1996, more than 400
independent philosophy departments were
eliminated from institutions.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Thus,
(C) Moreover,
(D) However,
 Transitions

6) Public libraries in the United States have
experienced reducing in their operating
funds due to cuts imposed at the federal,
state, and local government levels.
However, library staffing has been cut by
almost four percent since 2008, and the
demand for librarians continues to
decrease.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Consequently,
(C) Nevertheless,
(D) Previously,
7) The first time I visited the Art Institute of
Chicago, I expected to be impressed by its
10) Among the possibilities to reconfigure a
building’s lighting is the installation of
full-pane windows to allow the greatest
degree of sunlight to reach office interiors.
Thus, businesses can install light tubes,
these are pipes placed in workplace roofs
to capture and funnel sunlight down into a
building’s interior.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Nevertheless,
(C) Alternatively,
(D) Finally,
11) Although advocates of organic food

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famous large paintings. On one hand, I
preserve that organic produce is healthier
couldn’t wait to view painter Georges
than conventionally grown produce
Seurat’s 10-foot-wide A Sunday Afternoon
because it has more vitamins and
on the Island of La Grande Jatte in its full
minerals, this assertion is not supported
size.
by scientific research. For instance, one
(A) NO CHANGE
Na review published in The American Journal
(B) For instance,
of Clinical Nutrition provided analysis of
(C) However,
the results of comparative studies
(D) Similarly,
conducted over a span of 50 years;
8) Two years or less of sea otters can researchers consistently found no evidence
completely eliminate sea urchins in a
that organic crops are more nutritious
coastal area. Nevertheless, without sea
than conventionally grown ones in terms
otters present, kelp forests run the danger
of their vitamin and mineral content.
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of becoming barren stretches of coastal
wasteland known as urchin barrens. (A) NO CHANGE
(A) NO CHANGE (B) However,
(B) However, (C) In addition,
(C) Hence, (D) Likewise,
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(D) Likewise,
12) The programmers, artists, and others on
9) He painted the mural’s first two sections,
the team all share the same vision.
featuring images of a tropical rainforest
Likewise, anyone considering a career as a
and a Maya pyramid, during the day. Also,
video game designer must be skilled
to avoid scrutiny, Siqueiros painted the
writers and speakers.
final section of the mural, the centerpiece
(A) NO CHANGE
at night.
(B) Nevertheless,
(A) NO CHANGE
(C) Consequently,
(B) However,
(D) However,
(C) Although,
(D) Moreover,
 Transitions

13) In the name of health, spending $1.60 benefits, in terms of either nutritional
for every dollar they would have spent value or safety, from organic food.
on food that is 14 grown in a manner
(A) NO CHANGE
that is considered conventional.
(B) furthermore,
Scientific evidence, therefore, suggests
(C) however,
that consumers do not reap significant
(D) subsequently

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Na
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