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Difficulty: EasyTransitions: Cause and Effect

Read the passage below. Which transition word or phrase most logically completes the blank?

Answer:During the early twentieth century, agricultural runoff containing high levels of phosphorus entered the Florida Everglades. This sudden influx of nutrients stimulated the rapid growth of invasive cattails, which quickly crowded out the native sawgrass. 【therefore】 the region's biodiversity declined significantly, as many native animal species that relied on sawgrass lost their natural habitats and food sources.

Answer

therefore
The correct answer must be a cause-and-effect transition such as 'therefore', 'thus', 'hence', or 'as a result'. The passage describes a clear causal chain: the influx of phosphorus stimulated cattail growth, which crowded out native sawgrass, which then caused a decline in biodiversity. A cause-and-effect transition logically connects the displacement of the native plants to the negative impact on the region's species.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the relationship between the sentences before and after the blank.
The sentences before the blank describe a cause (agricultural runoff led to invasive cattails crowding out native sawgrass). The sentence after the blank describes the effect (the region's biodiversity declined because native species lost their habitats).
Identifying the logical connection between the ideas is necessary to choose the correct transition.
2
Identify transition words that convey a cause-and-effect relationship.
Transitions such as 'therefore', 'thus', 'hence', or 'as a result' logically connect the cause to its effect.
A cause-and-effect transition is required to correctly complete the sentence.

Key Concept

Transitions: Cause and Effect
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Transitions: Cause and Effect

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