Common Words:

• Additionally, Furthermore, Moreover, Also
• In fact, Indeed

Common Words:

• However, Nevertheless, Still
• In contrast, On the other hand
• In actuality, In reality
• Ironically

Common Words:

• Therefore, Thus, As a result
• Consequently, Hence
• To this end, For this purpose

Common Words:

• For example, For instance
• Specifically, In particular
• As demonstrated by

Common Words:

• For example, For instance
• Specifically, In particular

Common Words:

• Indeed, In fact
• In other words, That is
• Even more importantly

Common Words:

• Then, Next, Subsequently
• Finally
• There
• At this stage

Common Words:

• Similarly, Likewise
• In the same way

1. B → exception contrast (most vs some)
2. Cause/Effect → discoveries result from images
3. Example/Support → pointing out flaws supports critique
4. Contrast (expectation vs reality)
5. Example (not cause—offices illustrate expansion)

1. (Biology / Ecology)

Mangrove forests play a crucial role in coastal ecosystems, stabilizing shorelines and providing habitats for marine life. In recent decades, however, widespread deforestation has significantly reduced mangrove coverage in many regions. ______, some restoration efforts have successfully reintroduced mangrove species in protected areas.

Prompt:

• Is this opposing the negative trend or adding more info?
• Is it “most vs some”?

2. (Economics)

Central banks often raise interest rates to curb inflation by reducing consumer spending. ______, higher borrowing costs can slow economic growth, sometimes leading to unintended consequences such as increased unemployment.

Prompt:

• Is this cause/effect OR adding a complication?
• Is the second idea expected or a downside?

3. (Literary Analysis)

In many of her novels, Toni Morrison explores themes of memory and identity through nonlinear narratives. ______, in Beloved, fragmented storytelling mirrors the psychological trauma experienced by the characters.

Prompt:

• Is the second sentence proving or expanding?
• General → specific?

4. (Physics)

In theory, superconductors should conduct electricity with zero resistance. ______, maintaining the extremely low temperatures required for superconductivity remains a significant challenge in practical applications.

Prompt:

• Theory vs reality?
• Expected vs actual?

5. (Political Science)

Democratic systems are often praised for allowing citizen participation in governance. ______, voter turnout in many democracies has declined over the past decade, raising concerns about political engagement.

Prompt:

• Positive expectation vs negative reality?
• Is this contradiction or exception?

6. (History)

The Industrial Revolution dramatically increased manufacturing output and economic growth. ______, it also led to harsh working conditions and environmental degradation in rapidly industrializing cities.

Prompt:

• Same direction or mixed?
• Is this concession?

7. (Technology)

Machine learning algorithms can process vast amounts of data to identify patterns and make predictions. ______, these systems are only as reliable as the data they are trained on, which can introduce bias.

Prompt:

• Is this limitation?
• Is it opposing or qualifying?

8. (Medicine)

Vaccination programs have significantly reduced the spread of infectious diseases worldwide. ______, small outbreaks can still occur in communities with low vaccination rates.

Prompt:

• General success vs exception?

9. (Environmental Science — Sequence)

Glaciers form over long periods as layers of snow accumulate, compress, and gradually transform into dense ice. As pressure increases, air pockets are reduced and the ice becomes more compact. ______, the glacier begins to move slowly under its own weight, reshaping the surrounding landscape.

Prompt:

• Are we moving through steps in a process?
• Does the second idea happen AFTER the first?
• Is this time/order or cause?

10. (Public Health — Cause/Effect)

Public health campaigns often focus on increasing awareness of preventable diseases through education and outreach. In regions where such campaigns have been sustained over time, rates of infection have declined significantly. ______, consistent access to accurate information appears to play a critical role in improving health outcomes.

Prompt:

• Is the second sentence explaining WHY the improvement happened?
• Are we seeing a result or a broader conclusion drawn from the data?
• Is this direct cause or logical outcome?

11. (Sociology — Addition)

Social media platforms have transformed how individuals communicate, allowing for instant interaction across vast distances. They have also reshaped how information is shared and consumed, often amplifying voices that might otherwise go unheard. ______, these platforms have created new challenges related to misinformation and digital literacy.

Prompt:

• Are all ideas moving in the same direction or adding layers?
• Is the final sentence introducing a new but related idea?
• Is this contrast or expansion?

12. (Literary Analysis — Emphasis/Restatement)

In her essays, Joan Didion frequently reflects on the fragility of memory and the ways in which personal narratives are constructed over time. Rather than presenting memory as a fixed record of events, she suggests it is fluid and often unreliable. ______, Didion implies that what we remember may reveal more about our present selves than about the past itself.

Prompt:

• Is the final sentence restating or strengthening the idea?
• Is it introducing something new or deepening what was already said?
• Does it feel like clarification or emphasis?

1. (Science)

Photosynthesis allows plants to convert sunlight into energy, supporting ecosystems across the globe. ______, certain deep-sea organisms rely on chemical energy rather than sunlight to survive.

A) Similarly

B) However

C) Therefore

D) For example

2. (Sociology)

Urbanization has led to increased access to education and healthcare in many regions. ______, it has also contributed to overcrowding and infrastructure strain in major cities.

A) Additionally

B) For instance

C) However

D) Therefore

3. (Economics)

In theory, free markets allocate resources efficiently through supply and demand. ______, market failures such as monopolies and externalities can disrupt this process.

A) For example

B) In reality

C) Similarly

D) Consequently

4. (Literary)

Shakespeare’s tragedies often depict the downfall of characters due to personal flaws. ______, in Macbeth, ambition ultimately leads to the protagonist’s demise.

A) Nevertheless

B) For instance

C) In contrast

D) Therefore

5. (Technology / AI)

Artificial intelligence systems have become increasingly sophisticated, capable of performing tasks once thought to require human cognition. ______, these systems still struggle with tasks requiring common sense reasoning.

A) Moreover

B) However

C) Therefore

D) For example

6. (Environmental Science)

Climate models predict rising global temperatures over the next century. ______, the precise extent of these changes remains uncertain due to the complexity of climate systems.

A) Consequently

B) However

C) For example

D) Similarly

7. (History / Politics — HARDER)

The formation of international alliances is often driven by shared strategic interests. ______, these alliances can shift rapidly when national priorities change.

A) Likewise

B) In other words

C) Nevertheless

D) Therefore

8. (Biology — Sequence)

Cells undergo a series of regulated stages known as the cell cycle, including growth, DNA replication, and division. Each stage must be completed accurately to ensure proper cell function. ______, the cell enters mitosis, during which it divides into two identical daughter cells.

A) However

B) Then

C) For example

D) Similarly

9. (Economics — Cause/Effect)

Governments often implement fiscal stimulus policies during economic downturns to encourage spending and investment. Increased public spending can boost demand across industries. ______, businesses may expand production and hire additional workers.

A) For example

B) Therefore

C) Similarly

D) In contrast

10. (Technology — Addition)

Cloud computing has enabled organizations to store and access large amounts of data remotely, reducing the need for physical infrastructure. It has also improved collaboration by allowing teams to work on shared platforms in real time. ______, cloud services have introduced new concerns regarding data security and privacy.

A) Additionally

B) For instance

C) However

D) Therefore

11. (Literary Analysis — Emphasis)

Many modernist writers experimented with narrative structure, often rejecting traditional linear storytelling in favor of fragmented or nonlinear forms. These techniques reflect an interest in representing subjective experience rather than objective reality. ______, the structure itself becomes a tool for conveying meaning, rather than simply a framework for the plot.

A) For example

B) In other words

C) Similarly

D) However

12. (Environmental Science — Cause/Effect, Less Obvious)

Deforestation reduces the number of trees available to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. As a result, more carbon remains in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. ______, regions with extensive deforestation often experience more extreme climate patterns over time.

A) For instance

B) Consequently

C) In contrast

D) Similarly

13. (History — Addition with Expansion)

The printing press revolutionized the spread of information in early modern Europe, making written materials more accessible to a broader audience. Literacy rates gradually increased as books became more widely available. ______, the rapid dissemination of new ideas contributed to major cultural and intellectual movements, including the Reformation.

A) However

B) Additionally

C) In contrast

D) For example

14. (Physics — Sequence vs Cause Trap)

In particle accelerators, charged particles are propelled to extremely high speeds using electromagnetic fields. These particles are then directed to collide with one another, allowing scientists to observe fundamental interactions. ______, detectors record the results of these collisions, providing data for analysis.

A) Consequently

B) Then

C) However

D) For example

👉 Trap: students pick cause/effect instead of process step

15. (Public Policy — Concluding Emphasis)

Urban planners have increasingly prioritized sustainable design, incorporating green spaces, public transportation, and energy-efficient infrastructure into city development. These approaches aim to reduce environmental impact while improving quality of life for residents. ______, sustainable planning is now widely regarded as essential for long-term urban resilience.

A) For example

B) Consequently

C) In other words

D) However

👉 Requires distinguishing result vs emphasis/conclusion

16. (Neuroscience — Addition vs Contrast Trap)

Neuroscientists have identified specific regions of the brain associated with memory formation, including the hippocampus. Research has also shown that memory is not stored in a single location but distributed across neural networks. ______, damage to different brain regions can affect memory in complex and varied ways.

A) However

B) Additionally

C) For example

D) Therefore

👉 Trap: feels like contrast, but it's layered addition

17. (Philosophy — Emphasis / Clarification)

Philosophers have long debated whether moral truths are objective or constructed through social agreement. Some argue that ethical principles are universal, while others contend they are shaped by cultural context. ______, the debate centers on whether morality exists independently of human perception.

A) For example

B) In other words

C) Similarly

D) However