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Difficulty: MediumTransitions: Contrast and Concession

For years, astrophysicists hypothesized that close-in giant planets, or "hot Jupiters," form far from their parent stars and migrate inward over time because the intense radiation near a star would prevent gas accretion. Recent observational surveys of young star clusters have detected several massive gas giants orbiting extremely close to newborn stars that are only a few million years old. These findings suggest that in-situ formation��where a giant planet accumulates its gas envelope directly in its close-in orbit—is not only possible but may be relatively common under certain protoplanetary disk conditions. ______ migration remains the primary explanation for the orbits of most older, established hot Jupiters.

Which choice completes the passage with the most logical transition?

  1. Still,Answer
  2. B
    Furthermore,
  3. C
    Consequently,
  4. D
    Specifically,

Answer

Still,
The correct option is the transition that signals a contrast or concession. The passage establishes that while new observations suggest giant planets can form in-situ close to newborn stars, migration remains the primary theory for older, established hot Jupiters. The transition 'Still,' successfully conveys this concession, indicating that the traditional migration theory remains dominant overall despite the new evidence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the relationship between the ideas in the passage.
The text discusses new evidence showing that hot Jupiters can form in-situ (close to their stars) rather than migrating. However, the final sentence notes that migration is still the main explanation for most older hot Jupiters.
Understanding the logical connection between the sentence before the blank and the sentence with the blank is necessary to select the correct transition.
2
Determine the type of transition required.
The final sentence qualifies or limits the previous sentence's claim. Even if in-situ formation is possible and common under some conditions, migration is still the primary explanation overall. This requires a transition that signals contrast or concession.
Identifying the relationship as contrast/concession helps narrow down the choices.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the one that indicates contrast or concession.
The transition 'Still,' is used to introduce a statement that qualifies or contrasts with what was just said. The other transitions ('Furthermore,' 'Consequently,' 'Specifically,') signal addition, cause-and-effect, and elaboration, respectively, which do not fit the context.
Matching the identified relationship type to the function of the transition words determines the correct answer.

Key Concept

Transitions: Contrast and Concession
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Transitions: Contrast and Concession

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