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Part 2:

Transitions
On each SAT Reading and Writing Test, there are 4-7 transitions questions. For transitions
questions, you need to be able to select the correct transition based on the context in the
passage.

In Part 2 of this course, we will teach you the most effective strategy for how to approach
transitions questions and the details to look for in the passage to consistently select the
most logical transition.

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Chapter 12: Transitions

The SAT tests your reading skills by asking you to select the correct transition. For these questions, you
are being tested on your ability to read for context and knowledge of transitions. On the Digital SAT,
Transitions questions always look like this:

From the lookout on the mountain, which is 1. Which choice completes the text with the
about 2 miles from the coast, the ocean most logical transition?
looked quite calm today even though a large A) Under the circumstances,
B) For instance,
winter storm had arrived last night. ________
C) Up close,
the scene was much more chaotic with big D) For example,
waves and strong riptides.

For transitions questions, all the answer choices have the same punctuation, so you do NOT need to
worry about grammar. Your only focus here is to determine the relationship between the sentences and
select the most logical transition.

How To Approach Transitions Questions

When answering transitions questions, you should use the following approach:
1. Read the entire paragraph. As you read, skip the blank portion. Do not start plugging in
the answer choices during your first read through of the paragraph.

2. Determine the relationship between the 1st part (before the blank space) and 2nd part of
the paragraph (after the blank space). Is there a contrast? Do the parts before and after
agree and argue the same point? Is the 2nd part an example? Or is the 2nd part providing
additional information? Use your reading comprehension skills to try to determine the type of
transition that is needed.

3. Look at the answer choices and select the transition that correctly relates the ideas. If you
can determine the relationship between the 1st part and 2nd part correctly, selecting the most
logical transition is much easier.

4. If you cannot determine the relationship between the 1st part and 2nd part of the
paragraph on your own, read the answer choices and then reread the paragraph. After
you read the answer choices, you will know the 4 transitions that could be correct. As you
reread the paragraph, it should be easier to look for clues in the passage, determine the
relationship between the 1st and 2nd part of the paragraph, and select the transition that
logically completes the paragraph.
5. If you still cannot determine the relationship between the 1st and 2nd part of the
paragraph, plug the answer choices in and reread the passage. Select the answer choices
that sounds best to you and makes the most sense in the context. Note that this is our last resort
for questions that we are really stumped on.

The key to success on transitions questions is using your reading comprehension skills as much
as possible! This will help ensure that you are selecting a transition that logically completes the
paragraph and not just the transition that sounds/feels best to you.

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How NOT To Approach Transitions Questions – 3 Mistakes to Avoid

Want to know the most common mistake students make on transitions questions? They plug the answer
choices into the paragraph, read quickly for context (but do not read the entire paragraph), and then
select the answer choice that sounds/feels best. This is WRONG for so many reasons.

Mistake #1: Plugging the answers back into the passage right away!

You are smarter than the test! Read the passage, use your comprehension abilities, and determine the
type of transition needed. Remember, you are being tested on your reading comprehension skills, so if
you do not read, you are much more likely to answer transitions questions incorrectly.

Okay, let’s say you assume that you avoid Mistake #1. You read the entire paragraph and determine the
relationship. Where else do students go wrong?

Mistake #2: Selecting transitions that you are comfortable with.

Students often make the mistake of selecting transitions that they are comfortable with using because
they sound better to them. When answering transitions questions, it is important to be very picky
when selecting the most logical transition. You need to make sure that you are selecting the
transition that actually completes the paragraph, not just the one that you are most comfortable with
using.

Mistake #3: Not selecting transitions that you would not use in your writing.

Students often avoid selecting transitions like “thus” or “indeed” or “whereas” because these transitions
are less commonly used and sound funny to them. However, these less commonly used transitions can
be (and often are) correct on the SAT. We will learn how to properly use these less commonly used
transitions in the rest of this chapter.

To see how mistakes #2 and #3 can occur, let’s consider the example below:

Why do families in Florida continue buying real 1. Which choice completes the text with the
Christmas trees when fake trees are much more most logical transition?
affordable? Tradition plays the largest role,
A) After all,
according to psychologists. For many, the
B) For example,
process of going to the tree farm, picking out
C) However,
the perfect tree, and bringing the natural scent
D) Further,
into their homes is an irreplaceable holiday
tradition. ________ the environmental impact is a
consideration for some, as real trees are
biodegradable, which can be seen as a
sustainable choice compared to the purchase of
a fake, plastic tree.

For this question, the 1st part of the paragraph is discussing why families continue to buy real Christmas
trees. The sentence before the transition gives a reason why families choose a real tree. The sentence
after the transition also provides an additional reason why families choose a real tree, so we need an
additive transition that provides additional support. The only additive transition is “further,” so the
answer is D. Many students are not comfortable with using “further” (since it is not a commonly used
transition) and instead select one of the other answer choices.

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Categories of Transitions
Below, we have listed the most common transitions. We have divided these transitions into categories
based on the type of relationship between the ideas of the connected sentences.

Additive Transitions – providing additional support or evidence:

additionally further moreover
again furthermore of course
also in addition then
as well indeed what is more
besides in fact

Resulting Transitions – connecting an issue to the consequences:

accordingly for that reason therefore
as a result hence then
because in order to thus
consequently since to this/that end

Contrasting Transitions – connecting two things by focusing on their differences:

after all however otherwise
although in contrast rather
at the same time in spite of regardless
besides instead still
but meanwhile though
by contrast nevertheless yet
conversely nonetheless whereas
despite this on the contrary
even so on the other hand

Agreement/Similar Transitions – connecting two things by focusing on their similarities:

also in fact likewise
by the same token indeed of course
correspondingly just as similarly

Summary Transitions – providing a summary of the ideas in the previous sentence(s):

after all in other words thus
briefly in short to conclude
finally in sum to summarize
in conclusion in the end ultimately

Example Transitions – linking a general idea to a specific example of this idea:

for example in this case specifically
for instance namely

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Sequential Transitions – connecting sentences based on when events occur:

after finally recently
at last first so far
before following soon
currently later subsequently
during meanwhile then
earlier now today
eventually next while

Emphasis Transitions – providing additional emphasis on what the previous sentence(s) said:
above all in fact truly
clearly of course
indeed obviously

Clarification Transitions – providing clarification on what the previous sentence(s) claimed:

especially particularly that is
in other words specifically

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Chapter 12 Practice:
1. The torrential downpours from last night 5. Dialect coaches help actors design the voice
soaked the soccer fields. ________ , the and speech of a character for film. Leith
tournament was rescheduled for next McPherson, the supervising dialect coach on
weekend with hopes that the fields will dry in “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,”
time. always starts his training with vowels. ________
McPherson teaches his clients how to move
Which choice completes the text with the
on to conquering what he calls “the
most logical transition?
connection between words,” those
A) However, nonlinguistic utterances, such and “ah” and
B) Alternatively, “um,” in which native accents can
C) Consequently, inadvertently surface.
D) In addition,
Which choice completes the text with the
most logical transition?
2. Many species of predatory fish have
developed a long, sleek body to cut through A) Specifically,
the water. ________ many species of eagles can B) In summary,
tuck their wings to become very aerodynamic C) Accordingly,
and dart through the air. D) Later,
Which choice completes the text with the
6. Duke Ellington was an American jazz pianist,
most logical transition?
composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz
A) At the same time, orchestra for over 50 years. Ellington wrote
B) For instance, or collaborated on more than one thousand
C) In contrast, compositions and is considered the most
D) Similarly, influential jazz musician of all time. ________
Ellington has two prominent arts schools
3. Certain tech companies go to extremes to named after him and was the first African
ensure that employees enjoy being at the American to appear by himself on a
workplace. ________ Google provides workers circulating coin.
with free meals, a full gym, and e-bikes.
Which choice completes the text with the
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
most logical transition?
A) Actually,
A) Therefore, B) Moreover,
B) For instance, C) Regardless,
C) In spite of this, D) Similarly,
D) More generally,
7. The Nineteenth Amendment to the US
4. I used to think that there were no Constitution, ratified in 1920, granted women
hummingbirds in New York. When my the right to vote. This landmark amendment
mother put out a hummingbird feeder, _______ marked a significant milestone in the fight for
I was immediately proven wrong, as gender equality and the suffrage movement.
hummingbirds arrived the next day to start ________ this amendment led to women being
feeding on the sugar water. elected to political offices.
Which choice completes the text with the Which choice completes the text with the
most logical transition? most logical transition?
A) however, A) Instead,
B) as a result, B) Specifically,
C) meanwhile, C) For example,
D) on the other hand, D) Ultimately,

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8. The city of Milan, Italy underwent a 11. In an attempt to save the restaurant, Richard
significant expansion of their public launched a new promotion for free samples
transportation system with the addition of every Thursday. His goal was to get new
two new metro lines recently in 2022. ________ customers. ________ he would change the free
the public transportation system will likely sample theme to keep people coming back
need to undertake further additions as the and attract new customers each week.
city’s population increases and new
Which choice completes the text with the
neighborhoods develop.
most logical transition?
Which choice completes the text with the
A) To this end,
most logical transition?
B) In fact,
A) Still, C) For a time,
B) Namely, D) Surprisingly,
C) After all,
D) Instead, 12. Outside of a zoo, seeing a leopard is very rare.
Leopards are reclusive creatures that
9. College graduates who work for Teach For commonly hunt in the cover of darkness and
America, which places top college graduates are most active at night and, as zoologist
in high-need schools and communities, earn Martha Winmore says, “if there is a leopard
less than their classmates who graduate and nearby, the leopard can see you but you can’t
take jobs in consulting or banking, but the see it.” ________ humans see leopards in the
Teach For America experience is very wild, but these sightings usually last just a
rewarding in other ways. Teach For America few moments.
allows graduates to make significant impacts
Which choice completes the text with the
in communities and schools. ________ Teach
most logical transition?
For America provides free professional
development opportunities for their teachers. A) Occasionally,
B) Sparsely,
Which choice completes the text with the
C) To this point,
most logical transition?
D) Eventually,
A) However,
B) To that end, 13. Jessica Florenstein, a paleontologist at the
C) Nevertheless, Natural History Museum in Washington D.C,
D) What’s more, has worked to dispel many of the myths
around the scientific community’s
10. When creating sculptures, renowned artist understanding of the dodo. ________ the dodo
Michael Stevens typically sculpts each piece has been depicted as a physically incapable
by hand, meticulously shaping and refining bird with no brains and barely functioning
the details. ________ for his large-scale public wings, but Florenstein has shown that the
installation, he opted to use 3D printing dodo was far more capable than those
technology to replicate the sculptures, depictions would suggest.
resulting in a loss of the unique craftsmanship
Which choice completes the text with the
and imperfections that often give his works a
most logical transition?
distinctive character.
A) For that reason,
Which choice completes the text with the
B) Traditionally,
most logical transition?
C) In fact,
A) Thus, D) Instead,
B) Nevertheless,
C) Likewise,
D) In addition,

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14. Application testing simply cannot keep pace 17. Betta fish are known as one of the prettiest
with market demand for new applications. and easiest fish to take care of. ________ these
________ companies are faced with a dilemma: fish can breathe oxygen directly from the air
go to market with abbreviated testing and above the bowl and can live happily in very
risk a poor product or complete small tanks.
comprehensive testing and risk being too late
Which choice completes the text with the
to market.
most logical transition?
Which choice completes the text with the
A) Indeed,
most logical transition?
B) Next,
A) More specifically, C) Lately,
B) In short, D) For instance,
C) Thus,
D) Despite this, 18. Jeremy Bentham and other proponents of
Utilitarianism, an ethical theory that
15. If bugs in software are found early in the prioritizes decisions that maximize the overall
design phase, engineers do not need to waste happiness, or utility, for the greatest number
time combing through thousands of lines of of people, argue that the wellbeing of an
code looking for the sources of the errors. individual is unimportant. ________ critics
________ engineers can quickly isolate and fix argue that utilitarianism overlooks individual
any existing issues and more consistently rights and considerations of justice, as it
meet deadlines for their projects. focuses solely on aggregate welfare.
Which choice completes the text with the Which choice completes the text with the
most logical transition? most logical transition?
A) As a result, A) Additionally,
B) At last, B) Yet,
C) Further, C) By the same token,
D) In spite of this, D) Specifically,

16. Scientists had long considered the Andes to be 19. Archeologists have long debated how the
the longest mountain range on earth, Easter Island’s giant statues were moved
measuring 5,530 miles long. ________ in 2003, across the island. In the 1960s, the accepted
scientists discovered the mid-ocean ridge theory was that the statues “walked” as
system, a mountain range that stretches for workers swiveled and rocked them back and
an incredible 40,000 miles across the sea forth. ________ the theory is the statues were
floor. moved by a complex system of wooden rollers
and supports after a recent archeological
Which choice completes the text with the
discovery was made.
most logical transition?
Which choice completes the text with the
A) Moreover,
most logical transition?
B) However,
C) Consequently, A) Still,
D) Furthermore, B) Conversely,
C) Currently,
D) In comparison,

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20. Golf enthusiast and writer Jon Sherman 23. Paleontologists study ancient fossils to
admits his ambitions were not very high understand how life, landscapes, and the
when he first started his website Practical climate have changed over time. However,
Golf, which was created as a fun side project many fossils are fragile and susceptible to
to provide an honest, statistically backed degradation when exposed to air or handled
resource for everyday golfers trying to improperly. ________ paleontologists like Dr.
improve. Every golf professional has their Alpheus Hyatt are developing techniques such
own site or social media page. ________ his site as freeze-drying and encapsulation to better
has become an essential resource for many preserve fossils.
professional coaches looking to learn more
Which choice completes the text with the
about statistically supported methods of
most logical transition?
improvement.
A) Specifically,
Which choice completes the text with the
B) Likewise,
most logical transition?
C) Hence,
A) Therefore, D) Meanwhile,
B) Finally,
C) Nevertheless, 24. During an expedition in the Sahara Desert in
D) Additionally, 1817, Dr. Anders Frost made a remarkable
discovery. As he sifted through the layers of
21. The word “robot” was first used to denote a sand, he found glassy tubes. These tubes
fictional humanoid in a 1920 Czech-language were formed when lightning struck the
play R.U.R (Rossumovi Univerzalni Robiti) by ground, generating an intense surge of heat
Karel Capek; ________ it was Karel’s brother that instantly melted the surrounding sand.
Josef Capek who was the word’s true inventor. ________ the cooled sand fused together,
creating peculiar glass structures.
Which choice completes the text with the
most logical transition? Which choice completes the text with the
most logical transition?
A) ultimately,
B) though, A) Subsequently,
C) therefore, B) Therefore,
D) at last, C) Additionally,
D) Meanwhile,
22. When observing the towering Mount Fuji in
Japan from a distance, you can easily notice its 25. Many plant species have developed ingenious
distinct cone-shaped peak rising high into the mechanisms to survive in arid environments.
sky. ________ Mount Fuji belongs to the The resurrection plant (Selaginella
category known as stratovolcanoes, lepidophylla), ________ can enter a state of
characterized by their steep sides and conical desiccation tolerance, curling up into a tight
structures, which result from alternating ball when water is scarce. In this state, the
layers of volcanic ash, lava, and pyroclastic plant can survive for years without water,
material. only to revive and resume growth when
moisture becomes available.
Which choice completes the text with the
most logical transition? Which choice completes the text with the
most logical transition?
A) Fittingly,
B) However, A) for instance,
C) Second, B) in contrast,
D) Regardless, C) accordingly,
D) however,

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26. Traditionally, medical breakthroughs were 29. In 1928, British bacteriologist Alexander
often the work of lone heroes, but an Fleming discovered that a mold called
intriguing trend has emerged – a shift Penicillium notatum could kill bacteria, an
towards collaboration. ________ co-authored observation that would forever change the
medical publications have been observed, field of medicine. ________ it was widely
indicating a profound transformation in the believed that there were no effective means to
way medical professionals now approach combat bacterial infections.
their work.
Which choice completes the text with the
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
most logical transition?
A) After all,
A) Increasingly, B) Thus,
B) Accordingly, C) Previously,
C) Furthermore, D) Similarly,
D) Similarly,
30. Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) varied his
27. The Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses II reigned for narrative techniques based on the literary
over 60 years and left an indelible mark on form he was producing. In his novels, he used
the history of ancient Egypt. He led numerous a sparse style to focus on the narrative; in his
military campaigns, expanding Egyptian short stories, ________ he often explored more
territory and fortifying its borders. Today, verbose structures to delve into the
________ he is mainly remembered for his complexities of the human experience.
architectural endeavors, most notably the
Which choice completes the text with the
Ramessuem and the temples of Abu Simbel.
most logical transition?
Which choice completes the text with the
A) moreover,
most logical transition?
B) instead,
A) though, C) consequently,
B) of course, D) specifically,
C) for example,
D) consequently,
31. Janet Cho, a marine biologist, found that
sharks and other predators decreasing in
28. The head chef of the world’s #1 restaurant in
number results in implications that
2023, Virgilio Martínez Véliz, creates a dining
reverberate through the food chain. ________
experience based on the different ecosystems
the prey of those predators are flourishing
throughout Peru. He considers the trips he
and according to Cho this is resulting in a
takes to the different ecosystems for research
tragic cascade of effects throughout their
to be their own reward. ________ Martínez
ecosystems.
Véliz admits to finding the research phase of
his work just as gratifying as the execution of Which choice completes the text with the
the dishes in his restaurant. most logical transition?
Which choice completes the text with the A) However,
most logical transition? B) Specifically,
C) Likewise,
A) In contrast,
D) Rather,
B) Besides,
C) In fact,
D) Subsequently,

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32. In a contentious debate in astrophysics, the 35. In the field of medicine, when a patient's heart
community is split between two competing experiences irregular electrical activity, one
explanations of cosmological behavior: dark treatment option is to implant an artificial
matter theory and modified gravity. ________ pacemaker, which delivers electrical pulses to
there are those who assert that the presence regulate its beats, ensuring proper function.
of unseen dark matter is the key to explaining ________ medication can be prescribed to
the gravitational anomalies observed in the control the heart's electrical activity and
universe and those who contend that these restore normal rhythm, providing a non-
anomalies can be better explained by invasive approach to managing the condition.
modifications to Newtonian gravity and
Which choice completes the text with the
General Relativity.
most logical transition?
Which choice completes the text with the A) Alternatively,
most logical transition? B) Consequently,
C) Furthermore,
A) That is,
D) For example,
B) Contrastingly,
C) Likewise,
D) Additionally,

33. During the Renaissance, artists in Italy began

to adopt more realistic and human-centered
approaches to their artwork, focusing on
naturalism and individual expression. ________
French Renaissance artists continued to
incorporate significant religious symbolism
and detailed textures in their paintings.
Which choice completes the text with the
most logical transition?
A) Consequently,
B) Later,
C) Furthermore,
D) Meanwhile,

34. In her novel "Beloved," Toni Morrison

intertwines personal stories with historical
events. Morrison portrays Sethe's journey
from slavery to freedom in the aftermath of
the Civil War, integrating it with the broader
context of the abolitionist movement. ________
author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi in her novel
“Half of a Yellow Sun” connects the stories of
her characters struggles to the events of the
Nigerian-Biafran war.
Which choice completes the text with the
most logical transition?
A) Regardless,
B) Particularly,
C) Likewise,
D) Hence,

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