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Difficulty: HardTransitions: Contrast and Concession

Biologists studying the vocalizations of the superb fairy-wren (*Malurus cyaneus*) observed that mothers sing a specific 'incubation call' to their unhatched eggs, teaching the embryos a unique acoustic password. Because nestlings must produce this password to receive food, researchers hypothesized that this vocal tutoring evolved exclusively as a defense against brood parasitism by Horsfield's bronze-cuckoos, whose eggs are laid later in the nesting cycle. ______ cuckoo chicks occasionally acquire the password by listening to the host mother's calls from within their own eggs, showing that this acoustic barrier is not impenetrable.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

  1. A
    Furthermore,
  2. B
    Consequently,
  3. Nevertheless,Answer
  4. D
    Specifically,

Answer

Nevertheless
The transition word 'Nevertheless' is correct because it establishes a contrastive or concessive relationship. The first part of the passage states a hypothesis that the incubation call is an exclusive defense mechanism. The sentence after the blank presents a fact that limits this claim, showing that cuckoos can sometimes learn the password. This contrast is best signaled by 'Nevertheless'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the relation between the ideas surrounding the transition.
The first sentence presents a hypothesis (that the incubation call serves exclusively as a defense against parasitism). The second sentence presents a limitation to this hypothesis (cuckoos can still learn the password, so it is not impenetrable).
Understanding the semantic relationship is key to choosing the correct logical transition.
2
Determine the type of transition required.
A transition signaling contrast or concession is needed because the second sentence presents information that runs counter to or qualifies the hypothesis in the first sentence.
Matching the semantic relationship to a logical transition type narrows down the options.
3
Evaluate the choices based on the transition type.
'Furthermore' represents addition, 'Consequently' represents cause-and-effect, and 'Specifically' represents elaboration. Only 'Nevertheless' represents contrast/concession.
Selecting the option that correctly represents the contrast/concession relationship ensures logical coherence.

Key Concept

Transitions: Contrast and Concession
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Topics

Transitions: Contrast and Concession

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