Complete this 10-question, advanced rigor transitions set and focus on logic, flow, and relationship between ideas.
Transitions Tips & Tricks
Read both ideas, not just the blank.
A transition only makes sense when you understand the relationship between the sentence before and the sentence after.
Ask: what is the second sentence doing?
Is it:
adding to the idea?
contrasting with it?
showing cause and effect?
giving an example?
putting ideas in order?
wrapping up or concluding?
Put the relationship in your own words first.
Before looking at the choices, say:
This is adding on
This is a contrast
This is a result
This is an example
Choose the transition that matches the job.
The correct answer is the one that fits the logic of the sentence pair, not the one that sounds the fanciest.
Know the common transition categories.
Addition
also, furthermore, in addition, moreover
Contrast
however, nevertheless, on the other hand, by contrast
Cause and effect
therefore, thus, as a result, consequently
Example
for example, for instance, specifically, in particular
Sequence / time
first, next, then, finally, meanwhile
Conclusion
overall, in conclusion, ultimately, in short
Do not pick based on tone alone.
A transition can sound polished and still be wrong if it shows the wrong relationship.
Eliminate by category.
If the second sentence clearly shows a result, eliminate:
contrast words
example words
and keep only cause/effect choices.
Watch for SAT trap answers.
Wrong answers are often:
grammatically fine
sophisticated-sounding
but logically wrong
Use the simplest shortcut possible.
Ask:
What is the relationship between these two ideas?
Then match the answer choice to that relationship.
Quick reminder
Transitions are logic questions more than vocabulary questions.
Final tip
The best habit is to think:
Idea 1 → Idea 2 = what kind of move?
Once you identify the move, the right transition gets much easier to find.