Final answer:
Option (2), Readers expect transitions between sections and ideas, which serve as bridges to maintain flow and coherence in writing, helping to connect ideas, paragraphs, and support arguments.
Step-by-step explanation:
Readers generally expect the transition between sections and ideas to be indicated in some way. In academic writing, a transition serves as a bridge that allows readers to follow the author's train of thought more easily. This element is essential for maintaining flow and clarifying how one idea connects with another, how one paragraph connects with another, and how one idea supports or refutes another. It prepares the reader for what is to come.
Using transitional words and phrases is a fundamental technique to improve the coherence of writing. It not only helps in linking paragraphs but also connects the details within a single paragraph. Consequently, they play a vital role in helping readers understand the structure and organization of the narrative, argument, or discourse, facilitating a smoother reading experience and a better grasp of the content.