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Difficulty: Very hardTransitions: Contrast and Concession

To reconstruct the history of the Earth's magnetic field, geophysicists analyze the alignment of magnetic minerals preserved in ancient volcanic rocks. Because these minerals lock in the orientation of the field at the time the lava cooled, they provide a reliable record of geomagnetic reversals over millions of years. This fossilized record can be distorted by subsequent chemical alterations or thermal events that reset the minerals' magnetic orientation long after their initial formation. ______ many geophysicists maintain that when appropriate demagnetization techniques are applied in the laboratory, the primary magnetic signal can still be reliably isolated and utilized for tectonic reconstructions.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

  1. A
    Similarly,
  2. B
    Thus,
  3. Still,Answer
  4. D
    Indeed,

Answer

The transition 'Still,' is correct because it establishes a logical contrast and concession, showing that despite the potential for paleomagnetic records to be distorted by chemical or thermal events, geophysicists can still isolate the primary magnetic signal using demagnetization techniques.
The correct transition is 'Still,' because it establishes a concession or contrast relationship between the third sentence (which explains that volcanic rock records can be distorted by later events) and the final sentence (which explains that geophysicists can nevertheless isolate the primary magnetic signal using demagnetization techniques). In this context, 'Still,' functions synonymously with 'nevertheless' or 'even so,' showing that the ability to retrieve the signal is true despite the distortion risk.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the relationship between the sentence detailing the limitations of volcanic rocks (distortion from chemical/thermal events) and the final sentence.
The final sentence presents a counter-argument or resolution: despite the distortion, geophysicists can still isolate the primary magnetic signal.
Understanding how the two sentences relate logically is the key to identifying the correct transition.
2
Identify the transition category that represents this logical link.
Since the final sentence qualifies the problem in the preceding sentence, a transition showing contrast or concession is required.
This narrows down the potential choices to words that function to contrast or concede.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the one that fits a contrast/concession relationship.
The transition 'Still,' functions to express concession (meaning 'nevertheless' or 'even so'). The other transitions ('Similarly,' 'Thus,' and 'Indeed,') represent addition, cause-and-effect, and emphasis, respectively.
Selecting the transition that signals concession yields a coherent, grammatically correct, and logically sound passage.

Key Concept

Transitions: Contrast and Concession
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Topics

Transitions: Contrast and Concession

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