Final answer:
The transitional phrase that indicates a cause/effect pattern is 'as a result.' This transitional phrase clarifies that what follows is the outcome of a preceding event or situation, providing a direct link between cause and effect in the text. The correct option is A.
Step-by-step explanation:
The transitional phrase that indicates the cause/effect pattern is 'as a result'. Transitional words and phrases are crucial elements in writing that help to express the logical relationships between different sections of text and to guide the reader through the flow of reasoning. In the case of cause-and-effect patterns, these transitional phrases signal how one event leads to another.
Other commonly used transitional words and phrases for cause-and-effect include 'therefore', 'hence', and 'consequently'. These are used to join ideas and clarify that what follows is a result or effect of what has been mentioned before. For instance, when a writer uses 'as a result', they are directly linking the outcome to a cause, making it clear that there is a direct relationship.
For example, in a sentence like "Due to the severe drought, crop yields were lower than usual; as a result, food prices increased," the phrase 'as a result' is used to connect the effect (increase in food prices) directly to the cause (severe drought and lower crop yields).