#3 · And, so, or but? Decide first
The question. Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
The whale shark is the largest fish in the sea. ______ it eats mainly tiny plankton.
- Furthermore,
- Moreover,
- As a result,
- However,
The shortcut. Don't read the choices yet. First decide how the two sentences connect, using three plain words:
- and: the second sentence adds more of the same.
- so: the second sentence is a result of the first.
- but: the second sentence is a surprise after the first.
These three cover most transition questions. When none fits, the second sentence is usually an example of the first ("for example").
Then peek at the choices. "Furthermore" and "Moreover" both mean "and." A question has one right answer, so two choices that mean the same thing can't both be right, and neither is. That crosses off A and B before you've weighed anything.
Now test the two that are left by saying the sentence out loud with each plain word:
- "It's the largest fish, so it eats tiny food?" No. Eating tiny food isn't a result of being big.
- "It's the largest fish, but it eats tiny food?" Yes. The second fact is a surprise after the first.
"However" is just a fancy "but," so the answer is D.
The fix: if you're not sure, keep both
Cross off two choices only when they mean exactly the same thing. If you're not sure, keep both and try each one in the sentence.
The takeaway: and, so, or but? Decide first.