In the 1200s, Greenland’s residents were facing tough conditions brought about by changing climate patterns. The temperatures were dropping and the land was freezing over, making it too hard for the local population to grow enough food to sustain themselves. As a result, by the mid-1300s, many had abandoned their homes in favor of more habitable lands, leaving the Greenland settlements mostly empty.Choice C is the best answer. “As a result” logically signals that the action described in this sentence (by the mid-1300s, many had abandoned their homes in favor of more habitable lands) is a result or consequence of the previous observation that the land was freezing over, making it too difficult for the local population to grow enough food to sustain themselves.
Choice A: “On the other hand” illogically signals a clear contrast between the two sentences, rather than stating the results or consequences of the previous sentence.
Choice B: “In other words” illogically signals a restatement or clarification of the previous statement, rather than stating the results or consequences of the previous sentence.
Choice D: “Nevertheless” illogically introduces a contrasting idea or concession instead of elaborating on the results or consequence of the previous observations of the land freezing over.
✨ Expert's Tip ✨
- Identify the main idea of the text: Greenland’s climate in the 1200s and its consequences.
- Find a relationship between the text’s ideas: presenting a result or conclusion.
- Choose an appropriate transition word to match the relationship: as a result.