Reading and Writing: Expression of Ideas
SAT Question of the Day for October 31, 2026
The Guiana Highlands of South America harbor thousands of plant species found nowhere else on Earth. Many of these species evolved in isolation atop flat-topped mountains known as tepuis. __________ botanists have long traveled to the region to catalog its extraordinary biodiversity.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
- A.Accordingly,Correct answer
- B.In contrast,
- C.Nevertheless,
- D.Meanwhile,
Explanation
The passage establishes that the Guiana Highlands contain thousands of unique plant species, and the sentence after the blank states that botanists have traveled there to catalog biodiversity. The second idea follows logically from the first as a result, so "Accordingly," correctly signals that cause-and-effect relationship. "Nevertheless," incorrectly introduces a concession, implying the botanists' visits happened despite something surprising. "In contrast," wrongly signals an opposition between the two ideas, when no opposing claim is present. "Meanwhile," implies simultaneous but unrelated events, which misrepresents the logical connection between the unique biodiversity and the motivation for botanical expeditions.
How to use this question
Try the question before you read the explanation: cover it, commit to an answer, and then compare your reasoning with the worked solution. If you missed it, note the step where your approach went wrong rather than only the correct letter, and look for that same step the next time you see a similar question.
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