This timely article describes the causes of the adolescent literacy crisis, the decline in the literacy skills of America's youth. As students grow older and become more independent, interests outside of school emerge. Many teenagers struggle to stay motivated to read. Older students who cannot read may be more embarrassed than younger students. They may stop trying altogether. What type of transition words would help communicate the ideas in this text? time or sequential transitions cause-and-effect transitions compare-and-contrast transitions none of the above

Using cause-and-effect transitions like "because," "therefore," and "as a result" would greatly enhance the clarity of this text. These transitions help articulate the relationships between the declining literacy skills and the factors contributing to it, making it easier for the reader to understand why motivation dwindles as students age. Additionally, time or sequential transitions like "first," "next," and "finally" can effectively organize the ideas presented, helping readers follow the progression from one point to the next. This way, the reader can easily grasp the timeline of factors influencing adolescent literacy and the consequences that follow.