Question

which version of the underlined portion of sentence 16 provides the most effective transition from the information in sentence 15? a no change b for this reason, c in other words, d besides that,

Explanation:

Sentence 15 states schools must teach students essential life skills, as home instruction is not reliable. Sentence 16 introduces another set of graduation requirements (health/tech coursework) that are also important. "Besides that" creates a smooth transition by adding this related, additional point. "NO CHANGE" ("Equally important") fails to connect the prior point about school responsibility to the new graduation requirement topic. "For this reason" implies a causal link that does not exist. "In other words" would mean restating the prior idea, which is not what sentence 16 does.

Answer:

D. Besides that,