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Difficulty: HardTransitions: Contrast and Concession

For decades, historians of literacy accepted the thesis that silent reading was an exceedingly rare anomaly in the ancient Mediterranean, citing Augustine’s surprise at seeing Bishop Ambrose read without making a sound as proof of its novelty. ______ subsequent examinations of classical texts have revealed that references to reading without speaking appear in works dating back to fifth-century BCE Athens, showing that the practice was familiar to literate Greeks and Romans long before Augustine's time.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

  1. A
    Furthermore,
  2. B
    As a result,
  3. Nonetheless,Answer
  4. D
    Specifically,

Answer

Nonetheless,
The passage describes a long-standing historical consensus that silent reading was rare in the ancient Mediterranean. It then introduces evidence from fifth-century BCE Athens that contradicts this consensus. The transition must establish a contrast or concession relationship between these two points. 'Nonetheless' correctly signals this shift by showing that despite the decades-long acceptance of the old thesis, subsequent text examinations have revealed that silent reading was indeed a familiar practice.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the relationship between the two sentences in the passage.
The first sentence describes a widely accepted belief that silent reading was a rare anomaly in antiquity. The second sentence presents evidence showing that silent reading was actually familiar centuries earlier. This indicates a contrast or concession relationship.
Understanding the logical connection between the ideas is necessary to select the correct category of transition word.
2
Evaluate the transition options based on their logical function.
The transition must signal contrast or concession. 'Furthermore' signals addition, 'As a result' signals cause and effect, 'Specifically' signals elaboration, and 'Nonetheless' signals contrast/concession.
Matching the logical categories of the choices to the relationship identified in the text helps eliminate incorrect options.
3
Select the option that correctly establishes the contrast/concession relationship.
'Nonetheless' is the only contrast/concession transition among the choices, making it the correct option.
This completes the text in a logically and grammatically correct manner.

Key Concept

Transitions: Contrast and Concession
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Topics

Transitions: Contrast and Concession

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