ACT English 1.4 Organization

The semicolon signals two independent clauses, so the transition word in question deals with

the relationship between them.

The first clause introduces Andy's feelings about his extensive losses, while the second

clause clarifies Andy's possibly misplaced optimism with an example.

We can easily nix choice (A) because "besides" is never used to provide an example.

Instead, it's used to add one idea to another. An example might be, "Besides being a terrible

chess player, Andy was also a terrible kisser."

Aside from it being kinda redundant, see how the one idea is layered on top of the other?

Of course, this isn't what the sentence is going for at all; therefore, we can say goodbye

to (A).

Choice (C) makes a similar mistake to (A). Like "besides," "moreover" is a transition

used to add more information.

We could say, "Andy was a terrible chess player; moreover, he was a terrible person who liked

to kick puppies," and it would be correct.

Anyway, (C) doesn't help us set up an example, so we can take it out of consideration.

Choice (B) offers "hence" as the solution, but this doesn't do the job either. "Hence"

is used to show how something is caused by something else.

"Andy had never played chess before; hence, he was terrible at it," would be correct.

But again, this sentence is looking for a transition that sets up an example, and establishing

a cause and effect relationship doesn't help.

We dub choice (D) the right answer for its use of "in fact," which is often used to set

up examples.

Here, it correctly sets up the example of just how determined Andy is to win this next

game of chess, despite the odds.

We love Andy's enthusiasm, but don't share his confidence. Let's hope he's not a betting

man...