Read this passage about seals and sea lions and then answer the question that follows:
From a distance, they both look like seals, but once you get up close you can actually see the difference. Seals and sea lions are both fish-loving mammals. Moreover, handy flippers propel them both through the water. But while seals have a tiny opening on the side of their heads, sea lions have actual earflaps. Furthermore, sea lions use their back flippers like feet to scoot along the beach. On the other hand, seals must wriggle and roll to get ahead. On the whole, when you visit a zoo or theme park, it's the honking, barking, funny sea lion you're likely to find playing to the crowds for fishy treats, earflaps and all.
In the passage about seals and sea lions, what is the purpose of the transition on the whole?

A.To show a contrast
B.To show a comparison
C.To emphasize an idea
D.To summarize

The type of words used by the author in a text can help in determining the intent of the passage. In this passage about seals and sea lions, the transition, "on the whole" used to;

D. To summarize

In the passage, transitions were used to move from one idea to another.

In the last sentence when the transition, "on the whole," was used, the intent was to summarize the idea that the sea lion approaches the crowds in a zoo for fishy treats because of its love for these.

Therefore, we can say that the function of the transition, "on the whole" is the summary of an idea.

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