16Hit1600
Expression of IdeasEasy–MediumTransition marking a cause

Expression of Ideas practice question

The cathedral's stone is slowly crumbling. ____ rainwater, made mildly acidic by the city's traffic, dissolves a little of the surface every year.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

  1. A. This is becauseCorrect
  2. B. In contrast,
  3. C. Nevertheless,
  4. D. Similarly,

Answer: A. This is because

The second sentence explains why the stone crumbles. 'This is because' introduces the cause.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. In contrast,
The rain doesn't contrast with the crumbling; it explains it.
C. Nevertheless,
'Nevertheless' would set the rain against the crumbling, but it causes it.
D. Similarly,
The second sentence isn't a parallel case; it's an explanation.

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