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Difficulty: HardTransitions: Contrast and Concession

To protect the structural integrity of historical stone monuments, conservators often apply chemical consolidants that penetrate the stone and bind its loose grains together. These treatments can successfully arrest the decay caused by weathering and pollution, extending the lifespan of irreplaceable cultural heritage. These chemical interventions, ______ can inadvertently alter the stone's porosity, trapping moisture beneath the surface and potentially accelerating internal deterioration over time.

Which choice completes the passage with the most logical transition?

  1. however,Answer
  2. B
    moreover,
  3. C
    consequently,
  4. D
    for instance,

Answer

however,
The passage establishes a contrast between the positive effects of applying chemical consolidants to stone monuments (arresting decay and extending their lifespan) and the potential negative consequences of these treatments (altering porosity and accelerating internal deterioration). The transition 'however' is used to signal this contrastive relationship.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the relationship between the ideas before and after the blank.
The preceding sentence discusses the positive effects of chemical consolidants (arresting decay, extending lifespan), while the sentence containing the blank discusses a negative side effect (altering porosity, accelerating deterioration).
Identifying the relationship between the sentences is necessary to select the appropriate transition.
2
Determine the transition category needed.
Since the two sentences present opposing information (benefits vs. drawbacks), a transition indicating contrast or concession is required.
Knowing the correct category helps eliminate choices that indicate other relationships.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the one that fits the contrastive relationship.
'however' is a transition of contrast, whereas 'moreover' signals addition, 'consequently' signals cause/effect, and 'for instance' signals exemplification.
Selecting 'however' logically connects the sentences and matches the required contrast category.

Key Concept

Transitions: Contrast and Concession
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Topics

Transitions: Contrast and Concession

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