Consider this sentence: 'The proliferation of deep-sea mining proposals poses unprecedented ecological risks to hydrothermal vent communities; ______, comprehensive international regulations remain unratified.' Which transitional adverb best conveys the paradox?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. paradoxically

  1. Step 1: The first clause highlights urgent, unprecedented ecological threats.
  2. Step 2: The second clause reveals that despite these severe risks, international regulatory frameworks remain stalled.
  3. Step 3: This represents a contradiction or unexpected situation.
  4. Step 4: 'Paradoxically' (or 'yet', 'bizarrely') highlights this tension.
Answer
paradoxically.
Why not the others: 'similarly' indicates a comparison between two alike items; 'subsequently' denotes chronological sequence in time; 'accordingly' indicates a logical, expected cause-and-effect progression, which conflicts with the lack of regulation.

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