Question observ
Observing that a fire in a closed container soon went out, leading eighteenth-century scientists did not conclude that fresh air (specifically, oxygen) is necessary for combustion; instead, many theorized that the container’s air had become saturated with a substance called phlogiston. blank when Joseph Priestley first isolated oxygen gas in 1774, he termed it “dephlogistied air.”
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
In other words,
For this reason,
Alternatively,
Nevertheless,
Observing that a fire in a closed container soon went out, leading eighteenth-century scientists did not
Hard-difficulty · SAT Reading & Writing · Transitions — Cause–effect transitions (therefore, thus). Read the question above, select your answer, and check the full explanation below to understand exactly why the correct choice works.
Answer explanation
Choice B is the best answer. "For this reason" logically signals that the reason Joseph Priestley termed oxygen "dephlogistied air" was that he accepted the theory mentioned in the previous sentence—that the presence of phlogiston, rather than the absence of oxygen, causes fire in a closed container to go out.
Choice A is incorrect because "in other words" illogically signals that the information about Priestley terming oxygen "dephlogistied air" is a restatement of the previous theory concerning phlogiston. Instead, Priestley chose the term as a result of this theory. Choice C is incorrect because "alternatively" illogically signals that Priestley termed oxygen "dephlogistied air" as an alternative to the previous theory concerning phlogiston. Instead, Priestley chose the term as a result of this theory. Choice D is incorrect because "nevertheless" illogically signals that Priestley termed oxygen "dephlogistied air" despite the previous theory concerning phlogiston. Instead, Priestley chose the term as a result of this theory.
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