SAT Transitions (Medium) - English - Real Collegeboard Practice Questions with Answers and Explanations

Choice C is the best answer. “By contrast” logically signals that the information in this sentence—that dogs can see, hear, and smell by the end of two weeks—contrasts with the preceding information (that wolves can smell but not see or hear at the same age). Choice A is incorrect because “in other words” illogically signals that the information about domesticated dogs in this sentence paraphrases the information about wolves in the previous sentence. Instead, the information about dogs contrasts with what came before. Choice B is incorrect because “for instance” illogically signals that the information about domesticated dogs in this sentence exemplifies the information about wolves in the previous sentence. Instead, the information about dogs contrasts with what came before. Choice D is incorrect because “accordingly” illogically signals that the information about domesticated dogs in this sentence is in accordance with, or results from, the information about wolves in the previous sentence. Instead, the information about dogs contrasts with what came before.

Choice D is the best answer. “Additionally” logically signals that the painting analysis discussed in this sentence is an additional part of the botany research discussed in the previous sentence. That is, to research which fruits Umbrians grew in the past, the botanist analyzes old paintings in addition to looking at old lists of ingredients. Choice A is incorrect because “in sum” illogically signals that the painting analysis discussed in this sentence is a concluding summary of the botany research discussed in the previous sentence. Instead, the painting analysis is an additional part of that research. Choice B is incorrect because “instead” illogically signals that the painting analysis discussed in this sentence is an alternative to the botany research discussed in the previous sentence. Rather, the painting analysis is an additional part of that research. Choice C is incorrect because “thus” illogically signals that the painting analysis discussed in this sentence is a result of the botany research discussed in the previous sentence. Instead, the painting analysis is an additional part of that research.

Choice C is the best answer. The first sentence tells us that “wishcycling” is harmful, the previous sentence gives us an example, and this sentence gives us another example. So “moreover”—a transition that indicates the addition of another supporting point—fits perfectly here. Choice A is incorrect. This choice uses a transition that means “appropriately” or “suitably,” which doesn’t make sense in context. This sentence adds another example of how “wishcycling” is harmful, so we’re looking for an addition transition. Choice B is incorrect. This choice uses a disagreement transition. But this sentence actually agrees with the previous sentence. Both provide examples of how “wishcycling” is harmful. Choice D is incorrect. This choice uses a disagreement transition. But this sentence actually agrees with the previous sentence. Both provide examples of how “wishcycling” is harmful.

Choice A is the best answer because “additionally” logically signals that the information in this sentence—that Idár founded the League of Mexican Women—is another instance of Idár fighting injustice, this time advocating for the rights of Mexican Americans. Choice B is incorrect because “in conclusion” illogically signals that the information in this sentence sums up or concludes the discussion of Idár’s support for the Mexican people’s revolt. Instead, the founding of the League of Mexican Women is a separate instance of Idár fighting injustice. Choice C is incorrect because “for example” illogically signals that the information in this sentence is an example of how, as a newspaper reporter, Idár voiced support for the Mexican people’s revolt. Instead, the founding of the League of Mexican Women is a separate instance of Idár fighting injustice, this time in support of Mexican Americans. Choice D is incorrect because “rather” illogically signals that the information in this sentence offers a contrast or exception to the previous information about Idár’s support for the Mexican people’s revolt. Instead, the founding of the League of Mexican Women is a separate instance of Idár fighting injustice.

Choice C is the best answer. "Indeed" logically signals that the information in this sentence—that Laleh Mehran’s installation resembled both a typical movie theater and a coal mine—supports the previous sentence’s claim that the space Mehran created felt both "familiar and distant." Choice A is incorrect because "next" illogically signals that the description of Laleh Mehran’s installation in this sentence is the next step in a process. Rather, it supports the previous sentence’s claim about Mehran’s installation. Choice B is incorrect because "nevertheless" illogically signals that the information in this sentence is true despite the claim about Laleh Mehran’s installation in the previous sentence. Rather, it supports that claim. Choice D is incorrect because "instead" illogically signals that this sentence presents an alternative to the previous sentence’s claim about Laleh Mehran’s installation. Rather, it supports that claim.

Choice B is the best answer. “As a result” indicates that water molecules maintaining their linked structure at high pressures is caused by the strengthening of these water molecules by trimethylamine N-oxide. So the transition “as a result” fits the context perfectly. Choice A is incorrect. This choice uses a disagreement transition. But this sentence doesn’t disagree with the previous one— rather, it’s describing an effect of the phenomenon described in the previous sentence. Choice C is incorrect. This choice uses a disagreement transition. But this sentence doesn’t disagree with the previous one; it actually expands on the previous sentence by describing an effect of the strengthened molecules. Choice D is incorrect. This choice uses an exemplification transition, which doesn’t make sense here. The second sentence doesn’t provide an example or instance of the idea in the previous sentence. Instead, it explores the effects of the previous idea in more depth.

Choice C is the best answer. “Similarly” logically signals that the information in this sentence about a labor monopsony is similar to the information in the previous sentence about a product monopsony. In both types of markets, one party (an employer or a buyer) has the power to force another party (a worker or seller) to accept less money (for labor or products). Choice A is incorrect because “earlier” illogically signals that the information in this sentence about a labor monopsony occurs earlier (in a chronological sequence) than the information about a product monopsony. Instead, it is similar to the information about a product monopsony. Choice B is incorrect because “instead” illogically signals that the information in this sentence about a labor monopsony is an alternative to the previous information about a product monopsony. Instead, it is similar to the information about a product monopsony. Choice D is incorrect because “in particular” illogically signals that the information in this sentence about a labor monopsony provides specific details elaborating on the previous information about a product monopsony. Instead, it is similar to the information about a product monopsony.

Choice A is the best answer. "There" indicates that the work of calculating Coordinated Universal Time takes place at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in France. Because "there" indicates a location, it fits the context perfectly. Choice B is incorrect. This choice uses an exemplification transition, which doesn’t make sense here. This sentence is describing where the work of coordinating Coordinated Universal Time takes place, not giving an example of the work described in the previous sentence. Choice C is incorrect. This choice uses an exemplification transition, which doesn’t make sense here. This sentence is describing where the work of coordinating Coordinated Universal Time takes place, not giving an example of the work described in the previous sentence. Choice D is incorrect. This choice uses a disagreement transition. But this sentence doesn’t disagree with the previous sentence. They both describe the work involved in calculating Coordinated Universal Time.

Choice B is the best answer. “Previously” logically signals that the fused fiber theory came before Ramón y Cajal’s discovery. Choice A is incorrect. “However” illogically signals that the fused fiber theory in this sentence contrasts with the information in the previous sentence. While this theory does contrast with Ramón y Cajal’s discovery, the previous sentence concludes by stating that his discovery went against prior assumptions about the brain. The fact that the fused fiber theory was one of those earlier assumptions makes “however” an illogical choice. Choice C is incorrect because “as a result” illogically signals that the fused fiber theory in this sentence was a result of the discovery in the previous sentence. Instead, the fused fiber theory came before Ramón y Cajal’s discovery. Choice D is incorrect because “likewise” illogically signals that the fused fiber theory in this sentence was similar to the discovery in the previous sentence. Instead, the fused fiber theory, which came before Ramón y Cajal’s discovery, was very different from it.

Choice B is the best answer. The first sentence makes the claim that using grime-eating bacteria has led to “impressive results.” This sentence supports that claim by describing the specific findings of the biologists’ experimentation. The transition “in many cases” fits the context perfectly. Choice A is incorrect. This choice uses a disagreement transition. But this sentence actually agrees with the previous sentence. Both claim that grime-eating bacteria are better at cleaning artworks than chemicals. Choice C is incorrect. This choice uses a cause-and-effect transition, which doesn’t make sense in context. The fact that the results of the experimentation have been impressive overall doesn’t cause the bacteria to have proven more effective. Choice D is incorrect. This choice uses a transition that indicates the addition of a new idea. But this sentence doesn’t introduce a new idea. Instead, it elaborates on the same idea laid out in the previous sentence by describing the “impressive results” in more detail.

Choice D is the best answer. This sentence compares two examples of Posey’s tone: the “heartfelt language” he used in his poetry versus the “humor and satire” he used in his journalism. We know from these descriptions and from the claim in the previous sentence that the two tones are very different from each other. So the transition “by contrast” fits the context perfectly. Choice A is incorrect. This choice uses a transition that indicates a restatement of the same idea in other words. But the text isn’t restating the first example here. Instead, it’s offering a second, totally different example. Choice B is incorrect. This choice uses a transition that means “admittedly.” But the text isn’t admitting or conceding anything here. Instead, these two examples work together to support the claim made in the first sentence. Choice C is incorrect. This choice uses a transition that indicates the addition of an agreeing idea. But these two examples are intentionally very different from each other, so “similarly” doesn’t make sense here.

Choice B is the best answer. “Fittingly” is a transition that means “appropriately” or “suitably,” and it is appropriate that writers who adopted their style from Okot p’Bitek would be known as the Okot School poets. Choice A is incorrect. This choice uses a disagreement transition. But this sentence is not disagreeing with anything—rather, it’s discussing how it makes sense for those writers who adopted Okot’s style to be known as the Okot School poets. Choice C is incorrect. This choice uses a transition that compares two ideas. But this sentence is not comparing the Okot School poets and their style to Okot’s style. Choice D is incorrect. This choice uses a disagreement transition. But this sentence is not disagreeing with anything—rather, it’s discussing how it makes sense for those writers who adopted Okot’s style to be known as the Okot School poets.

Choice B is the best answer. This sentence compares a chiral molecule to an achiral one. It discusses how when a chiral molecule is flipped, it results in something very different than when an achiral molecule is flipped. So the transition "by contrast" fits the context perfectly. Choice A is incorrect. This choice uses a transition that indicates a restatement of the same idea in different words. But this sentence doesn’t restate the same idea as the previous sentence. Instead, it makes a new point about a different type of molecule (chiral instead of achiral). Choice C is incorrect. This choice uses a transition that introduces an example, which doesn’t make sense here. The second sentence isn’t an example of the first sentence’s claim about achiral molecules: it actually introduces an entirely different idea that focuses on chiral molecules. Choice D is incorrect. This choice uses a transition that indicates the addition of an agreeing idea. But this sentence shows a contrast with the first sentence—namely, that a chiral molecule acts very differently from an achiral molecule when flipped.

Choice C is the best answer. "Likewise" is a transition that indicates the addition of a new but related idea. In this sentence, the author is providing another similar example to that discussed in the previous sentence. Therefore, "likewise" works best in this context. Choice A is incorrect. This choice uses a transition that means "admittedly." But the text isn’t admitting or conceding anything here. Instead, these two examples work together to support the claim made in the first sentence. Choice B is incorrect. This choice uses an exemplification transition, which doesn’t make sense here. The second story is not an example of the story in the previous sentence—it’s another, similar story. And while both stories exemplify the first sentence in the text, the transition we’re looking for isn’t actually connected to that sentence. Choice D is incorrect. This choice uses a cause-and-effect transition, which doesn’t make sense here. The first story didn’t result in the events of the second story.

Choice B is the best answer. The word “however” logically signals that the information in this sentence about the planet KELT-9b—that it orbits a B-type star—contrasts with the previous information about planets discovered outside our solar system. Most of these planets orbit G-type stars, not B-type stars. Choice A is incorrect because “likewise” illogically signals that the information about the planet KELT-9b is similar to the previous information about most planets outside our solar system. Instead, it contrasts with that information. Choice C is incorrect because “therefore” illogically signals that the information about the planet KELT-9b is a result of the previous information about most planets outside our solar system. Instead, it contrasts with that information. Choice D is incorrect because “for example” illogically signals that the information about the planet KELT-9b is an example of the previous information about most planets outside our solar system. Instead, it contrasts with that information.