SAT OwlTardigrades, microscopic animals sometimes called water bears, can survive extreme conditions by entering a state called cryptobiosis. In this state, a tardigrade's metabolism slows to less than 0.01 percent of its normal rate. ______ the animal's life processes come almost to a complete stop, which allows it to endure freezing, drying out, and even the vacuum of space.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Nevertheless,
Previously,
By contrast,
In other words,
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D
A metabolism slowed to less than 0.01 percent of normal means that life processes nearly stop. The final sentence restates the previous one in plainer terms, so "In other words" is correct. "Nevertheless" and "By contrast" signal opposition, and the two sentences agree.
"Nevertheless" might seem to fit because surviving the vacuum of space is surprising, but the sentence restates the previous one instead of contradicting it.
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