Nothing in the text implies a contradiction. Targeting vehicle exhaust specifically isn't being done instead of evaluating existing strategies. Both are being done alongside each other, so C is appropriate.
Many schools in the UK are located close to busy roads, which exposes students to high levels of pollution from vehicles. Scientists hope to evaluate different existing strategies to reduce the exposure, such as green screens and air purifiers. ________ scientists aim to develop new strategies that might target vehicle exhaust specifically.
B) As a result,
C) Additionally,
D) Still,
Nothing in the text implies a contradiction. Targeting vehicle exhaust specifically isn't being done instead of evaluating existing strategies. Both are being done alongside each other, so C is appropriate.
The text doesn’t imply direct opposition, it implies that there are multiple things scientists are doing to reduce the students’ exposure to pollution. For example, they’re evaluating strategies to mitigate exposure. Additionally, they’re developing strategies that would cut down on the pollution in the first place. Vehicle exhaust causes pollution. Targeting vehicle exhaust with these strategies would also reduce exposure to pollution.
Because it’s not contradictory, they are looking at ideas to help air quality at the schools and ADDITIONALLY would like to develop ways to reduce vehicle exhaust emissions. It’s a two pronged effort.
C. Additionally. Pthe plan doesn't contradict the others, nor does it logically follow.
Scientists are doing something positive to help this. \_\_\_ , they're doing something else positive. Can you see now why it has to be 'Additionally'?
it’s not a contradiction, they’re saying they plan to use both existing methods and to find new methods, making the answer C)
^ This ^ Some commenters are missing the key distinction between these two sentences: the first is about _existing_ strategies, and the second refers to _new_ ones. They are not contradictory, but complementary, so 'additionally' is the most appropriate.
You think they are testing your knowledge of transition phrases, but really they are testing your reading comprehension.
I agree A is the runner up. In fact, they are tied for first place.
Here's the germane part of the prompt:
Scientists hope to evaluate different existing strategies to reduce the exposure, such as green screens and air purifiers. [ . . . ] scientists aim to develop new strategies that might target vehicle exhaust specifically.
Here's how either could work logically:
A. Scientists hope to evaluate . . . existing strategies to reduce the exposure, such as green screens and air purifiers. On the other hand, scientists aim to develop new strategies . . .
C. Scientists hope to evaluate . . . existing strategies to reduce the exposure . . .. Additionally, scientists aim to develop new strategies [to reduce the exposure] . . ..
Several online dictionaries (Oxford Languages, Miriam-Webster) agree that the phrase "on the other hand" is used to introduce contrasting material. The implicit contrast here is between existing strategies and _new strategies. "Additionally" introduces supporting material that need not be contrastive, here existing strategies and new strategies to reduce exposure. It's a matter of emphasizing either the commonality (strategies to reduce exposure), or the contrast (existing strategies vs. new ones).
It's hardly a slam dunk that C is more natural than A, as some here mansplaining it to you are suggesting: if the goal of the writer was to introduce a false lead, then he has hoist himself on his own petard, because it's not obvious that the lead is false. The only place you've erred in my opinion is by saying that the two kinds of strategies are "contradictory"; they are not contradictory but contrastive. All else is good, and insisting that C is vastly superior to A may explain why the British Empire is no more. Mansplaining isn't going to cut it to hold a vast overseas empire together.
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Not sure how firm this grammar rule is, but I was taught that “On the other hand” requires “On the one hand” to precede it.
I believe “on the other hand” is effectively a phrase introducing a contrasting position. One the other hand could work in the following example: on the other hand, students report increased attention and health benefits after exposure to the fumes and are opposed to any changes.
From my (AmE) point of view, (C) is the most natural choice.
"Still" implies ("in spite of" sentence 1...)
"On the other hand" implies (a conflict with sentence 1).
"As a result" obviously implies ("because of" sentence 1...).
To me: (1) Scientists hope to evaluate different existing strategies to reduce the exposure, such as green screens and air purifiers.
(2) [And] scientists aim to develop new strategies that might target vehicle exhaust specifically.
feels the most natural.
["hope to"] + ["aim to"] could almost be synonyms.
Compare: (1) Scientists hope to evaluate different existing strategies to reduce the exposure, such as green screens and air purifiers.
(2) [AND] scientists hope to develop new strategies that might target vehicle exhaust specifically.
There is no "conflict" with Sentence (1).
There is no "in spite of" Sentence (1).
Also, there is no "As a result of" Sentence (1).
Reworded: Scientists hope to evaluate different existing strategies to reduce the exposure, such as green screens and air purifiers and develop new strategies that might target vehicle exhaust specifically.
Cf.: Scientists hope to ① evaluate... and ② develop...
To me (AmE), "in addition" / "furthermore" / "at the same time"
are very natural segues between (Sentence 1) and (Sentence 2).
(Sentence 2) does not 'conflict' with (Sentence 1).