When scrutinizing an informational text to find a sequence of steps, which transition cue is most useful?

When scrutinizing an informational text to find a sequence of steps, which transition cue is most useful?

• A. If, Then
• B. Since, Because
• C. First, Then
• D. First, Initial

Answer: (C)

When you’re looking for a sequence of steps in an informational text, the cue that signals order most clearly is a pair that marks the start and the next action. Using First to introduce the initial step and Then to move to the following one creates a direct, linear flow. Readers can follow the process step by step without guessing what comes next, which is exactly what a procedural or instructional section aims to do. Other cues tend to point to different relationships. If, Then suggests a conditional situation—what happens under a certain condition—rather than a straightforward series of actions. Since, Because explain reasons or causes, not the order of steps. And while First can begin a sequence, Initial isn’t as standard for continuing from one step to the next, so it doesn’t guide the progression as clearly as Then does. So the best cue for tracing a sequence of steps is the combination that uses First to start and Then to continue, clearly mapping the order through the process.

When you’re looking for a sequence of steps in an informational text, the cue that signals order most clearly is a pair that marks the start and the next action. Using First to introduce the initial step and Then to move to the following one creates a direct, linear flow. Readers can follow the process step by step without guessing what comes next, which is exactly what a procedural or instructional section aims to do.

Other cues tend to point to different relationships. If, Then suggests a conditional situation—what happens under a certain condition—rather than a straightforward series of actions. Since, Because explain reasons or causes, not the order of steps. And while First can begin a sequence, Initial isn’t as standard for continuing from one step to the next, so it doesn’t guide the progression as clearly as Then does.

So the best cue for tracing a sequence of steps is the combination that uses First to start and Then to continue, clearly mapping the order through the process.