Transition question are one of the most common question types, with each test containing four or five such items on the test. Because it is quite common, you should be comfortable working with the most commonly tested questions.

• Transitions are words or phrases that connect ideas and sentences together in writing.

• They help the reader understand the relationship between the different ideas presented.

• Transitions can be used to show similarity, contrast, cause and effect, chronological order, and more.

Types of Transitions

There are three types of trends, continuous contradictors and cause of effect. Continuers indicate that two sections are expressing similar ideas. Contradictors indicate that two sentences are expressing different ideas. And cause and effect words indicate that one action is the result of another.

How to work through Transition Questions

Transition questions in the SAT Writing section test your ability to identify the most appropriate transition word or phrase to connect two sentences or ideas. Here are some tips to help you work through these questions:

1. Read the entire passage: Before answering any transition question, read the entire passage to understand the context and flow of ideas.

2. Identify the relationship between the sentences: Look for clues in the sentences that indicate the relationship between them. For example, one sentence may provide a contrast to the previous sentence, or it may provide additional information.

3. Consider the options: Read through the options provided and eliminate any that do not fit the context or relationship between the sentences.

4. Use context clues: Look for context clues in the sentences or passage that may help you determine the correct transition word or phrase. For example, if the previous sentence talks about a problem, the next sentence may introduce a solution.

5. Check for coherence: After selecting an answer, read the sentences again to ensure that the transition word or phrase creates a coherent and logical flow of ideas.

By following these tips, you can improve your ability to work through transition questions on the SAT Writing section and increase your overall score.

Transitions in the Middle of a Sentence

• Although questions containing this construction may appear to ask about only one sentence, they are actually testing your ability to identify the relationship between two sentences.

• The verse sentence is that contains an underlying transition in the previous sentence.

• These questions test your ability to recognize how ideas are connected within a sentence and to use transitions to clarify those connections. Here are some tips for working through these types of questions:

1. Understand the purpose of transitions: Transitions serve to connect ideas and help the reader follow the flow of the text. They can signal a change in direction, add supporting details, or provide a contrasting viewpoint.

2. Determine the relationship between ideas: Just as with Transition Questions, it's important to understand how the ideas in the sentence are related to each other. This will help you choose an appropriate transition.

3. Look for appropriate transition words: Transition words, such as "however," "nevertheless," "therefore," and "in addition," can help clarify the relationship between ideas in a sentence. Choose a transition word that accurately reflects the relationship between the ideas.

4. Use transitions sparingly: While transitions can be helpful in clarifying the relationship between ideas, it's important not to overuse them. A sentence with too many transitions can become confusing and difficult to follow.

5. Read the sentence out loud: Reading the sentence out loud can help you hear whether the transition you've chosen sounds natural and fits within the sentence.