SAT Reading & Writing: Transitions Practice Questions
Test yourself on Transitions with 10 original SAT practice questions. Pick an answer to see instant feedback and a full explanation.
Free original practice questions for study purposes. Open Exam Prep is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the makers of SAT.
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Answer the questions below — you get instant feedback and a full explanation for each.
1. The new policy requires all employees to complete safety training annually. _____ failure to comply may result in disciplinary action. Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Explanation. The second sentence adds a further consequence of the policy, building on the first. 'Moreover' signals addition. 'Nevertheless' wrongly signals contrast; 'For example' would require an illustration, not a new requirement; 'Similarly' implies a comparison between like things, which isn't happening here.
2. Most scientists predicted the comet would be barely visible. _____ it shone brightly enough to be seen during daylight. Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Explanation. The actual result contradicts the prediction, so a contrast transition is needed. 'Instead' fits because the reality replaced the expectation. 'Therefore' and 'Consequently' show cause-effect; 'In addition' shows addition, none of which captures the reversal.
3. The bridge had not been inspected in over a decade. _____ engineers were not surprised when cracks appeared in its support beams. Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Explanation. The neglected inspections cause the unsurprising cracks, a cause-and-effect relationship. 'Thus' signals a logical result. 'However' wrongly signals contrast; 'Likewise' signals comparison; 'Meanwhile' signals simultaneous time, none of which conveys consequence.
4. The author argues that the city's transit system is underfunded. _____ she acknowledges that recent budget increases have improved bus reliability. Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Explanation. The second sentence concedes a point that partially counters the main argument, requiring a contrast/concession transition. 'Still' conveys this concession. 'As a result' implies cause-effect; 'For instance' requires an example; 'In conclusion' signals a summary, which this is not.
5. Researchers gathered soil samples from three regions. _____ they collected water samples from nearby rivers to compare contaminant levels. Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Explanation. The sentence lists another step in the same data-collection process, so an additive transition fits. 'Additionally' adds a parallel action. 'Nonetheless' and 'Regardless' signal contrast; 'In other words' signals restatement, none of which suits a list of added activities.
6. The recipe calls for fresh basil. _____ if fresh basil is unavailable, dried basil can be substituted in smaller amounts. Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Explanation. The second sentence introduces an alternative that contrasts with the ideal ingredient, so a contrast transition is needed. 'However' fits the shift to a substitute option. 'Therefore' and 'Furthermore' don't convey contrast, and 'Specifically' would require a narrowing detail rather than an alternative.
7. The committee debated the proposal for hours without reaching agreement. _____ they voted to postpone the decision until the next meeting. Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Explanation. After a long debate, the action that follows in time is postponement. 'Eventually' signals the sequence/result of the prolonged debate. 'Otherwise' implies a conditional alternative; 'In contrast' and 'By comparison' signal contrast or comparison, which don't fit the chronological outcome.
8. Some historians claim the artifact dates to the Bronze Age. _____ recent radiocarbon analysis places it several centuries later, in the Iron Age. Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Explanation. The new evidence contradicts the historians' claim, requiring a contrast transition. 'However' marks the opposing finding. 'Indeed' would intensify agreement; 'Likewise' shows similarity; 'Accordingly' shows consequence—none capture the conflict between claim and analysis.
9. The startup struggled to attract investors in its first year. _____ by streamlining its product and lowering costs, it secured major funding the following spring. Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Explanation. The second sentence describes the final positive outcome after early struggles, so a transition signaling a culminating result fits. 'Ultimately' conveys the eventual outcome. 'Likewise' and 'In addition' signal similarity or addition; 'For example' requires an illustration, none of which matches the resolution.
10. The professor emphasized that correlation does not imply causation. _____ the fact that ice cream sales and drowning rates both rise in summer does not mean one causes the other. Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Explanation. The second sentence provides a concrete illustration of the general principle stated first, so an exemplifying transition is needed. 'For instance' introduces the example. 'Nevertheless,' 'On the other hand,' and 'Conversely' all signal contrast, but no contradiction occurs—the example supports the claim.
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FAQ
How do I choose the right transition on the SAT?
First, ignore the answer choices and read the sentences before and after the blank to determine the logical relationship: addition, contrast, cause-effect, example, sequence, or emphasis. Then pick the transition whose meaning matches that relationship. Plugging in choices before understanding the logic often leads to errors.
What are the most common transition categories tested?
The big four are addition (moreover, additionally, furthermore), contrast (however, nevertheless, instead, on the other hand), cause-and-effect (therefore, thus, consequently, as a result), and illustration (for example, for instance). Sequence/time (eventually, ultimately, meanwhile) and emphasis (indeed, in fact) also appear regularly.
Are these transition questions different from the old SAT?
In the digital SAT, transition questions appear in short, self-contained passages of a few sentences. The skill is identical to the old test—matching the logical relationship between ideas—but you only need to analyze the immediate context rather than a long passage, so focus on the sentence right before and after the blank.