Contraste: however, in contrast, even so, still. Causa–efecto: therefore, consequently, as a result.
Ejemplo: for example, for instance. Añadir: moreover, in addition. Aclarar: that is, in other words. Conceder: granted.
Tiempo: meanwhile (a la vez), later, eventually.
Estrategia paso a paso
Sin mirar las opciones, decide la relación entre las dos frases (contraste, causa, ejemplo…).
Si dos opciones significan lo mismo, ninguna de las dos suele ser la correcta.
Trampas habituales
Leer solo la frase con el hueco: la relación depende de la frase anterior.
Ejemplo resuelto
“The trail is steep and rocky. ______ most hikers need five hours to finish it.” → As a result.
Preguntas de ejemplo
Intenta responder antes de abrir la solución. Las preguntas están en el idioma del examen.
Pregunta 1
Dificultad fácil≈ 1 min
When the city’s subway system first opened, it had a single line with nine stations. ______ the system had expanded to twelve lines serving more than two hundred stations.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
AA. Similarly,
BB. Eventually,
CC. For example,
DD. Instead,
Ver respuesta y explicación
Respuesta correcta: B. Eventually,
Explicación
The text moves from the system’s small beginning to its much larger later size. “Eventually” signals that this growth happened over time.
The later system is not similar to the first one (“Similarly”), not an example of it (“For example”), and not a replacement for something described earlier (“Instead”).
Pregunta 2
Dificultad media≈ 1 min
Tool use was once thought to be unique to humans, but researchers have since observed it in a wide range of animals. ______ sea otters float on their backs and use rocks to crack open the shells of clams and sea urchins.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
AA. For instance,
BB. Nevertheless,
CC. In contrast,
DD. As a result,
Ver respuesta y explicación
Respuesta correcta: A. For instance,
Explicación
The first sentence says that tool use has been observed in many animals, and the second describes one such animal: sea otters using rocks. “For instance” introduces this example.
The second sentence supports the first rather than contrasting with it, so “Nevertheless” and “In contrast” do not fit. Otters’ tool use is not a consequence of researchers’ observations, so “As a result” is illogical.
Pregunta 3
Dificultad difícil≈ 1 min
The bright colors of poison dart frogs are often assumed to have evolved solely to warn predators that the frogs are toxic. Some species, ______ appear to use their coloring in courtship as well: in experiments, females of one species preferred to approach brighter males.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
AA. for example,
BB. therefore,
CC. however,
DD. in other words,
Ver respuesta y explicación
Respuesta correcta: C. however,
Explicación
The first sentence states a common assumption that color serves solely as a warning. The second sentence presents evidence against that assumption (color is also used in courtship). “However” signals this contrast.
“For example” would present the second sentence as an illustration of the assumption, which it contradicts. “Therefore” implies it follows from the assumption, and “in other words” implies a restatement.