Question the-en
The envelope-shaped paper bags common in the US 150 years ago were impractical for carrying goods. blank because they were the only paper bags that could be mass-produced, these bags dominated the market. That all changed in the 1870s, when industrial designer Margaret Knight patented a machine to make flat-bottomed, foldable paper bags.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
However,
For instance,
Thus,
In other words,
The envelope-shaped paper bags common in the US 150 years ago were impractical for carrying goods.
Medium-difficulty · SAT Reading & Writing · Transitions — Contrast transitions (however, although). Read the question above, select your answer, and check the full explanation below to understand exactly why the correct choice works.
Answer explanation
Choice A is the best answer. “However” logically signals that the information in this sentence—that envelope-shaped bags dominated the market—contrasts with the previous claim that these bags were impractical for carrying goods.
Choice B is incorrect because “for instance” illogically signals that the information in this sentence is an example supporting the previous claim that envelope-shaped bags were impractical for carrying goods. Instead, the sentence contrasts with the previous claim about the bags. Choice C is incorrect because “thus” illogically signals that the information in this sentence is a result of the previous claim that envelope-shaped bags were impractical for carrying goods. Instead, the sentence contrasts with the previous claim about the bags. Choice D is incorrect because “in other words” illogically signals that the information in this sentence is a paraphrase of the previous claim that envelope-shaped bags were impractical for carrying goods. Instead, the sentence contrasts with the previous claim about the bags.
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