9 original Transitions questions, easiest first. The logical connector between two sentences. Answer them all, then submit once to see every answer explained.
The telegraph is often credited as the invention that first made near-instant long-distance communication possible. ______, historians note that semaphore relay towers had already allowed faster-than-mail communication decades before the telegraph became widespread.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
A — Yet,. The sentence shifts from a common credited view to a more nuanced scholarly qualification (earlier semaphore systems already existed)—'Yet' signals this contrasting reframing.
The pesticide is highly effective at controlling the beetle infestation damaging local crops. ______, it also breaks down slowly in soil, meaning its residue can persist and affect unrelated plant and insect species for years.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
A — Unfortunately,. Introducing a serious drawback (long-lasting residue) after describing a benefit (controlling beetles) calls for a transition that signals this negative shift. 'Unfortunately' fits, framing the added information as an undesirable consequence.
Desert tortoises rely on burrows to escape extreme surface temperatures during the hottest parts of the day. ______, some individuals travel significant distances at dawn and dusk to reach seasonal sources of water.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
D — In addition,. The second sentence adds another behavior (traveling for water) alongside burrowing, rather than contrasting with it. 'In addition' correctly signals this additive relationship.
Early portable radios were heavy, expensive, and had poor battery life. ______, consumers in the 1950s eagerly purchased them, drawn by the novelty of listening to broadcasts away from home.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
C — Even so,. Consumer enthusiasm despite significant drawbacks is a contrast. 'Even so' signals this concession-contrast relationship, unlike 'as a result,' which would incorrectly suggest the drawbacks caused the eagerness to buy.
The steam engine is often credited as the single invention that launched the Industrial Revolution. ______, historians note that earlier innovations in textile machinery had already begun transforming manufacturing before steam power became widespread.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
D — Yet,. The sentence shifts from a common credited view to a more nuanced scholarly qualification (earlier innovations already existed)—'Yet' signals this contrasting reframing.
Geothermal power plants generate electricity with minimal direct greenhouse gas emissions. ______, drilling deep geothermal wells can occasionally trigger minor seismic activity in the surrounding area.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
C — That said,. The sentence shifts from an advantage (minimal emissions) to a qualifying downside (seismic activity)—'That said' correctly introduces this qualifying contrast.
The city's new curbside composting program was projected to divert roughly 500 tons of waste from landfills in its first year. ______, actual participation far exceeded projections, and the program diverted nearly 900 tons.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
D — Instead,. Actual results ('far exceeded projections') replacing the original projection is a contrast best signaled by 'Instead,' which marks a departure from what was expected.
Early fax machines were slow, prone to jamming, and produced grainy printouts. ______, offices in the 1980s eagerly adopted them, drawn by the ability to send documents instantly across long distances.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
C — Even so,. Office enthusiasm despite significant drawbacks is a contrast. 'Even so' signals this concession-contrast relationship, unlike 'as a result,' which would incorrectly suggest the drawbacks caused the eagerness to adopt.
Desert-dwelling kangaroo rats obtain most of their water directly from the seeds they eat, requiring little to no direct drinking water. ______, their kidneys are specially adapted to produce extremely concentrated urine, further minimizing water loss.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
B — In addition,. The second sentence adds another water-conserving adaptation (concentrated urine) alongside the first (getting water from seeds), rather than contrasting with it. 'In addition' correctly signals this additive relationship.
Score:
Every question above is now marked up: the correct answer is highlighted, any wrong option you picked is flagged, and each explanation is open.
No. Every question here is original, written to the College Board's published Digital SAT Reading & Writing specification for the Transitions skill. No retired or copyrighted College Board material appears anywhere on this site.
Transitions asks which word or phrase best connects two sentences — however, therefore, for example, similarly, in contrast, and their relatives. The two sentences are always given in full; the only question is what relationship holds between them.
Cover the answer choices. Read both sentences and name the relationship in one word of your own: contrast, cause, result, example, addition, or restatement. Only then uncover the choices and pick the one in that family. Reading the choices first is what makes this question type feel like a judgement call — it is not one, and there is exactly one relationship the sentences support.
No, and deliberately so. This drill is 9 Transitions questions back to back; a real Reading & Writing module is 27 questions in 32 minutes drawn from all eleven skills. Use a drill to fix one weakness, then take a full module to practice the real thing.
No. The SAT has no penalty for a wrong answer — a blank and a wrong guess both score zero — so answer every question, including the ones you have to guess.