Transitional words (also called linking words or signal words) help connect ideas in a sentence or
between sentences. They show relationships such as cause and effect, contrast, examples,
addition, or time order.
Common signal words:
1. A pipe burst near the school this afternoon, _______ students were sent home early due to no
water.
a. so
b. in addition
c. in spite of
d. even though
2. ___________many people worry about climate change in their own country, it's important to
remember it’s a global issue.
a. Because
b. So
c. Even though
d. Beyond
3. Tina may become more outgoing in college, __________ her older sister.
a. furthermore
b. just like
c. then
d. therefore
4. You can make cleaning your room more enjoyable. _________, play your favorite songs while
you tidy up.
a. Furthermore
b. Ultimately
c. For this reason
d. For instance
5. The cashier shoved the milk carton into the bag carelessly, causing it to leak. _______ she
simply said, “Just hold the bag carefully.”
a. Then
b. Besides
c. Therefore
d. Despite
6. ________ they put in their best effort, the hockey team failed to win the match due to lack of
coordination.
a. Although
b. As
c. Since
d. However
7. There are different options for purchasing laptops. _____________, you can get them online or
in physical stores.
a. Thereforeà oleh sebab itu
b. Yet
c. Also
d. For instance
8. In some traditions, giving presents is considered a key part of celebration. _____________, the
presents are expected to be thoughtful and pricey.
a. In conclusion
b. For example
c. Furthermore
d. Although
9. The article described how trains changed travel in Asia. _____________, it also talked about
railway systems in Europe.
a. Therefore
b. For example
c. In addition
d. However
10. Business majors can work in many industries. _____________, students who are unsure of
their job goals often choose business programs.
a. Moreover
b. However
c. Therefore
d. Next
11. You must bring a valid form of ID. _____________, a student ID or passport can be used.
a. In conclusion
b. For example
c. Similarly
d. Next
12. The teacher mentioned how penguins sleep during the day. _____________, she didn’t provide
much scientific explanation.
a. However
b. Also
c. Therefore
d. Consequently
13. The presenter gave examples of how a single cell functions. _____________, she discussed
how multiple cells interact in an organism.
a. For example
b. However
c. Conversely
d. Therefore
14. The use of social media has grown rapidly in recent years. _____________, the popularity of
traditional mail has decreased.
a. Similarly
b. In contrary
c. In conclusion
d. Moreover
15. Many tech companies are investing more in innovation. _____________, TechZone has raised
its research budget every year for the past decade.
a. For example
b. Therefore
c. However
d. In addition
16. The writer shared a variety of eco-friendly home devices. _____________, not all of them are
suitable for people with low income.
a. As well
b. However
c. Furthermore
d. For example
Make 5 sentences using these transitional words:
- Furthermore
- Therefore
- Despite
- Accordingly
- Afterward
Transitional Words Quiz
Now that you’ve already exposed and familiar with linking words, do this quiz:
Read the sentences that will be given to you shortly.
Add a transitional word or phrase that makes the ideas flow smoothly. Choose the most logical one. There are
20 sentences in total. You CAN NOT use double/same transitional words. Your teacher will take note of your
time.
1. a. so
2. c. Even though
3. b. just like
4. d. For instance
5. a. Then
6. Although
7. d. For instance
8. Furthermore
9. In addition
10. Therefore
11. b. For example
12. However
13. Therefore
14. Similarly
15. For example
16. However
? I forgot to charge my phone last night. As a result, it died during class this morning. (Result)
? We arrived at the stadium an hour early. Because of that, we got good seats near the field. (Cause/Result)
? He loves basketball. However, he’s not very good at playing it. (Contrast)
? The weather was terrible. Still, the game wasn’t canceled. (Unexpected Result/Dispute)
? She studied all night for the test. Nevertheless, she still didn’t feel confident. (Contrast)
? I tried to fix my computer. Instead, I made it worse. (Alternative)
? Gaming laptops are powerful. On the other hand, they’re usually expensive. (Contrast)
? He skipped breakfast. Therefore, he was super hungry by lunch. (Cause/Result)
? My internet went down last night. So, I couldn’t finish my homework. (Result)
? My friends wanted to watch a horror movie. Meanwhile, I wanted to watch a comedy. (Contrast/Time)
? In addition, he volunteers at the local animal shelter on weekends. (Addition)
? We saw several endangered animals at the zoo. For example, the Sumatran tiger and the Javan rhino.
(Example)
? First, we gathered all the ingredients. Then, we started cooking. (Sequence/Time)
? She parked her car near the mall entrance. Nearby, her friend was already waiting. (Place)
? He’s very good at math. Likewise, his sister is a top student in physics. (Comparison)
? Please follow the instructions carefully so that the machine works properly. (Purpose)
? Everyone must submit their assignments by Friday. Otherwise, points will be deducted.
(Alternative/Exception)
? He said he wasn't angry. In fact, he seemed very calm. (Intensify)
? We talked about the importance of healthy food. To sum up, eating well helps us live longer. (Summary)
? She was afraid of heights. Even so, she agreed to try the roller coaster. (Dispute/Contrast)
