Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

Question

Unlike seals and whales, sea otters have no thick layer of blubber to insulate them from frigid ocean water. ______ they depend on their fur, which is the densest of any mammal's and traps a warming layer of air against the skin.

Accepted Answer

A. Instead,. A is correct: the second sentence names the alternative means of insulation that sea otters use in place of the blubber they lack, which is a substitution relationship. B ("Similarly") wrongly treats fur as a parallel case to blubber rather than a replacement for it—an error made by readers who notice both sentences discuss insulation and assume agreement. C ("For instance") wrongly treats dense fur as an example of the preceding statement, but the first sentence makes a claim about what otters lack, and fur is not an example of that. D ("Nevertheless") signals a concession that contradicts the first sentence, but relying on fur does not conflict with lacking blubber; it follows from it.

Answer

B. Similarly, — Both sentences are about insulation, but "Similarly" would make fur a parallel case to blubber, when the text presents fur as what otters use *in place of* the blubber they lack.

Answer

C. For instance, — "For instance" would make dense fur an example of the first sentence's claim, but that sentence says what otters *lack* — fur can't be an example of missing blubber.

Answer

D. Nevertheless, — "Nevertheless" signals a contradiction, but there's no conflict here: relying on fur is the logical consequence of having no blubber, not a surprise despite it.

Expression of Ideas practice question

Answer: A. Instead,

Why the other answers are wrong

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