SAT Transition Words

The digital SAT’s Reading and Writing section consists of 54 questions, split into two modules of 27 questions each. The test will adapt to student performances on module 1, and if student scores are high it will assign a harder second module. If performance on module 1 is not high enough, the test will assign an easier second module. No matter the path, the structure of each module has the same seven question “blocks” in the same order every time. These blocks are categorized by the SAT into four domains: Craft and Structure, Information and Ideas, Standard English Conventions, and Expression of Ideas.

The last questions on all SAT Reading and Writing modules, after grammar, consist of a content domain called Expression of Ideas. We categorize these questions as blocks 6 and 7 of the module: Transition Words and Notes.

1. 1. Vocabulary
   2. Reading Comprehension
   3. Evidence
   4. Inference
   5. Grammar
   6. Transitions
   7. Student Notes

About 20% of the 54 Reading and Writing questions fall into this category, which translates to a total of 9 to 12 on any SAT. Reports of practice exams and real tests have shown that sometimes the test split up note and transition word questions unevenly: one module might have just one transition word question and several about notes, while another might emphasize transitions and minimize note questions. Here are some good rules to follow when working on transition word questions.

Rule 1: You are not doing grammar anymore!

The first and most important thing for any student to recognize as they work through the test is that transition questions have started and that grammar has ended, because the questions have similar formats and transition word questions start immediately after the last grammar question.

A Grammar question targets punctuation, agreement, parallelism, or sentence structure. It can be identified when this is written above the answer choices:

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

A Transition Word question targets the connection between the ideas in a sentence or paragraph. On transition questions, you do not have to think about grammar! The sole task is to make the transition word or phrase fit like a piece of a puzzle, harmoniously relating the concepts at hand. This introduction identifies a transition question:

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

On Transition Word questions, you are never being asked to judge whether the grammar is correct: that is taken care of for you. The grammar is fine! Focus only on deciding whether the transition word or phrase makes the text come together in a way that relates the ideas into a cohesive whole.

Rule 2: Relate the before and after

Example:

In 1926, Richard Byrd and Floyd Bennett returned from a flight claiming to have been the first people to fly over the North Pole. __________ later analysis of Byrd’s travel diary suggests that the journey fell short of the Pole, and the explorers were turned back by bad weather at least a hundred miles from their goal.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

1. Furthermore
2. However,
3. Moreover,
4. For instance,

The transition word choice is not just about what would “sound best.” We want to make a logical connection between the ideas around the blank. Paraphrase each idea:

• Idea before the blank: two guys said that they flew over the North Pole
• Idea after the blank: it turns out that the two guys probably did not make it to the North Pole

The best way to relate these two ideas is with a contrast transition word or phrase. This is one of the major transition word types.

Rule 3: Learn transition words and their main categories. 

Here are a few of the SAT’s favorite words and phrases in each category.

Rule 4: Choices that stand out are better; similar choices can be eliminated

The SAT always wants there to be one clear right answer, so naturally it is a good idea to give extra attention to an answer choice that goes against the flow of the others. With the following answer choices, we would have a strong prediction that the answer choice that is different is likely to be right:

1. 1. Instead,
   2. On the other hand,
   3. In addition,
   4. By contrast

Bonus Tips

• If you have to guess on transition word questions in an emergency situation, the historical all-time best answer seems to be however. It’s a straightforward way to communicate contrast.
• Be careful about picking for example. It can sound like a nice filler phrase, but the SAT is very strict about it. This choice is wrong unless you see convincing evidence that the sentence after the blank is a more specific example of the more general situation described before the blank.
• Recent reports indicate that the newest SATs are introducing a new kind of transition word question that also includes other crucial context, not just a transition word. This format has not been found on any official SAT practice material yet. Practice these with our examples below!

Practice Questions

1. Wendy began her case by claiming that she was specifically affected by hidden fees and unfair pricing practices when she bought a concert ticket to see Taylor Swift last summer. ____________ though, her goal was to secure a court ruling that would force ticket sellers to reform their policies nationwide.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

A. Also,

B. As a result,

C. Ultimately,

D. For example,

2. Aaron Pfenning and Caroline Polachek founded the band Chairlift at the University of Colorado, Boulder in 2005. Polachek has since embarked on a solo career and found success both as a touring artist and a collaborator with others. ____________ Polachek co-wrote the song No Angel for Beyoncé’s self-titled fifth album.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

A. For instance,

B. Meanwhile,

C. That said,

D. Eventually,

3. Mentioning termites in any suburb is likely to be met with fear and distaste, as the insects are known as pests that can cause deep structural damage to houses. Not all termites infest human residences, __________: the Bungle Bungle mountain range of Australia is dotted with large earthen mounds built by termite colonies, where native termite species live far from humans as a vital part of the ecosystem and food chain.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

A. though

B. indeed

C. consequently

D. likewise

Model new transition word questions with long answers!!!

4. In ancient Egyptian history, references to a mysterious group called the “Sea People” have confounded experts for years. Some archaeologists believe that Sea People, who conquered much of the Mediterranean coast in 1200 BC, were the Lukka culture; others claim that they were actually the Peleset. _______________________ there may not be any meaningful criteria that can divide the Lukka and Peleset into separate groups, as they may well have been two terms for the same people.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

A. In any event, few would dispute that

B. Blurring this line, new evidence suggests that

C. Underscoring this distinction, the fact remains that

D. Supporting the latter claim, recent translations prove that

5. Extremophiles are organisms that can tolerate environmental conditions –temperature, acidity, radiation, and pressure, for example– that would normally be hostile to life. Psychrophilic algae can thrive on the Antarctic ice at temperatures well below freezing; _____________________ are the reason for the brilliant colors of the boiling hot Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

A. In light of these remarkable algae, consider also that Thermocrinis bacteria

B. Equal in achievement to the former example, certain bacteria

C. By the same token, it’s worth mentioning that microbial mats

D. On the other end of the spectrum, thermophilic bacteria

Answers: