Question

What is the function of the transition in this sentence?

Plans for a transcontinental railroad began years before the Civil War, yet officials from around the country could not agree on a location. (5 points)

To summarize ideas
To give an example
To show an exception
To emphasize

Answer 1

which one do you think it is?

Answer 2

The transition is the comma, dividing the two phrases.

It's talking about plans for a railroad, but the second part of the sentence is contradicting something.
Does it look like it's summarizing anything?

Answer 3

no

Answer 4

Thus, we can take out answer choice A.
Is it giving an example by saying officials can't agree on a location for the railroad?

Answer 5

also i think its to emphasise

Answer 6

Ah, and why would you believe that? What the second phrase emphasizing?

Answer 7

nvm

Answer 8

Normally, I would agree, but emphasizing would mean furthering a point.
In the first part of the sentence, it's saying they have plans for a railroad. However, there's a contradiction in the second part, saying that the officials have nowhere to put it. It doesn't seem like it's emphasizing the progress of the build, no?

Thus, let's go back to the other choices. We've taken out A and D.
Is the sentence giving an example, choice B?

Answer 9

no

Answer 10

Good! So what does that leave us with?

Answer 11

to show an exception

Answer 12

And what's the exception here, just to make sure?

Answer 13

the second sentence

Answer 14

Exception is a contradiction, as I've said a lot already.
Why can't the officials build the railroad yet?

Answer 15

because of the civil war

Answer 16

and they haven't agreed on a location

Answer 17

Correct!
The answer would be it's showing an exception, since they can't agree on a location.

Answer 18

ok thank you

Answer 19

No problem!
Make sure to "Close" the question now that it's been answered, at the top of the thread.