Final answer:
In the provided sentence about fast-food restaurants and nutritional information, the transition word 'consequently' best represents the cause-and-effect relationship. 'Consequently' is used because the restaurants' actions are a direct result of nutritional information display being mandatory. Option A is correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Transition words and phrases are essential components in writing that help clarify the relationships between ideas. They help to ensure that a piece of writing flows smoothly and logically from one point to the next. In the sentence provided, 'Displaying nutritional information is mandatory, fast-food restaurants are given the opportunity to cut calories from menu options and provide healthier alternatives', the transition that best clarifies the relationship between these ideas is 'consequently'.
This is because the second part of the sentence is a result of the first part, which states the mandatoriness of displaying nutritional information. The fast-food restaurants' opportunity to offer healthier food is thus an effect or a result of that mandate.
Other transition words do not fit as well because they either indicate a contrast, such as 'although' and 'nevertheless', or they add information without indicating a cause-and-effect relationship, such as 'furthermore'. The correct choice is (a) Consequently, which effectively communicates that there is a causal relationship between the two ideas presented in the sentence.