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Difficulty: HardTransitions: Cause and Effect

Earth’s magnetosphere deflects most of the solar wind, shielding the atmosphere from erosion by charged particles. However, during periods of intense solar activity, magnetic reconnection can temporarily breach this shield, allowing high-energy plasma to enter the upper atmosphere. ____________, geomagnetically induced currents can surge through power grids on the surface, causing widespread electrical failures.

Which choice completes the passage with the most logical transition?

  1. A
    Furthermore
  2. B
    Nevertheless
  3. ConsequentlyAnswer
  4. D
    Subsequently

Answer

Consequently
The correct option is the transition indicating a cause-and-effect relationship. The second sentence explains that magnetic reconnection allows high-energy plasma to enter the upper atmosphere, which directly causes geomagnetically induced currents to surge through power grids on Earth's surface. The word 'Consequently' correctly establishes this causal link.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the logical relationship between the sentence before the blank and the sentence containing the blank.
The sentence before the blank describes high-energy plasma entering the upper atmosphere, and the sentence with the blank describes geomagnetically induced currents surging through power grids.
Understanding the flow of ideas is necessary to choose the correct logical connector.
2
Determine if the second event is a cause, effect, contrast, addition, or sequence relative to the first.
The surging of currents in power grids is a direct physical consequence (effect) of the plasma entering the atmosphere (cause).
This establishes that a cause-and-effect transition is needed.
3
Evaluate the transition options based on their logical function.
'Consequently' denotes cause-and-effect, 'Furthermore' denotes addition, 'Nevertheless' denotes contrast, and 'Subsequently' denotes chronological sequence.
Matching the options to the identified logical relationship will reveal the correct answer.

Key Concept

Transitions: Cause and Effect
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Transitions: Cause and Effect

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