Question

Read this excerpt from an essay.

Maya Angelou was a famous writer, actress, and civil rights activist. She had a difficult childhood. To say she became talented despite her struggles is an understatement. Angelou's memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, became the first non-fiction bestseller by an African-American woman in 1969. She wrote several acclaimed collections of poems and essays. She has been nominated for numerous literary and civic awards. Her memoir was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, she received the National Medal of Arts in 2000, and she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010. Angelou wrote and delivered the poem "On the Pulse of Morning" to a national audience upon the inauguration of President Bill Clinton in 1993.

This excerpt would benefit from transitional words and phrases. Choose the option that uses transitions most effectively.


Maya Angelou was a famous writer, actress, and civil rights activist. She had a difficult childhood. For instance, to say she became talented despite her struggles is an understatement. Angelou's memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, became the first non-fiction bestseller by an African-American woman in 1969. Without a doubt, she wrote several acclaimed collections of poems and essays. She has been nominated for numerous literary and civic awards. In reality, her memoir was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, she received the National Medal of Arts in 2000, and she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010. Later, Angelou wrote and delivered the poem "On the Pulse of Morning" to a national audience upon the inauguration of President Bill Clinton in 1993.


Maya Angelou was a famous writer, actress, and civil rights activist. She had a difficult childhood. However, to say she became talented despite her struggles is an understatement. Angelou's memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, became the first non-fiction bestseller by an African-American woman in 1969. However, she wrote several acclaimed collections of poems and essays. She has been nominated for numerous literary and civic awards. However, her memoir was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, she received the National Medal of Arts in 2000, and she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010. However, Angelou wrote and delivered the poem "On the Pulse of Morning" to a national audience upon the inauguration of President Bill Clinton in 1993.


Maya Angelou was a famous writer, actress, and civil rights activist. First, she had a difficult childhood. Next, to say she became talented despite her struggles is an understatement. Angelou's memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, became the first non-fiction bestseller by an African-American woman in 1969. Thirdly, she wrote several acclaimed collections of poems and essays. She has been nominated for numerous literary and civic awards. Again, her memoir was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, she received the National Medal of Arts in 2000, and she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010. In conclusion, Angelou wrote and delivered the poem "On the Pulse of Morning" to a national audience upon the inauguration of President Bill Clinton in 1993.


Maya Angelou was a famous writer, actress, and civil rights activist. She had a difficult childhood; nevertheless, to say she became talented despite her struggles is an understatement. Angelou's memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, became the first non-fiction bestseller by an African-American woman in 1969. Additionally, she wrote several acclaimed collections of poems and essays. She has been nominated for numerous literary and civic awards. For instance, her memoir was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, she received the National Medal of Arts in 2000, and she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010. Remarkably, Angelou wrote and delivered the poem "On the Pulse of Morning" to a national audience upon the inauguration of President Bill Clinton in 1993.

Answer 1

Option D.

It uses transitions appropriately (nevertheless for contrast, additionally for addition, for instance to introduce examples, remarkably for emphasis) without overuse or awkward placement. The other choices misapply transitions (A and C use mismatched signals like "for instance"/"in conclusion"/"later" incorrectly; B repeats "however" where no contrast exists), making D the most effective.