Transitions questions give you a blank between two sentences and ask for the word or phrase that shows the right logical relationship: contrast, cause/effect, addition, example, sequence, or emphasis.
Ignore the choices at first. Read the two sentences and decide the relationship yourself: "Does sentence 2 agree, contrast, result from, or exemplify sentence 1?" Then pick the transition that matches.
Group the transitions by job
- Contrast: however, nevertheless, on the other hand, by contrast, still, yet.
- Cause/effect: therefore, thus, consequently, as a result, hence.
- Addition: moreover, furthermore, in addition, also.
- Example: for example, for instance.
- Sequence: first, then, meanwhile, finally, subsequently.
Trap: Two contrast words (e.g., "however" vs "nevertheless") both feel possible. Check the exact nuance — "nevertheless" means "despite that," which isn't always what the logic wants.
Worked examples
The city added bike lanes. ____ cycling rose 40%.
- Ignore the choices at first. Read both sentences and name the relationship yourself.
- The writer is presenting the rise in cycling as a result of adding the lanes — that's cause and effect.
- Now pick the transition that does that job: 'As a result,' 'Consequently,' or 'Therefore.'
- A contrast word like 'However' would be wrong because there's no opposition.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Reading the choices before deciding the relationship — several will sound acceptable.
- Using a contrast word when the two sentences actually agree.
- Confusing addition ('moreover') with example ('for instance'). Adding a new point is different from illustrating the previous one.
- Ignoring nuance between similar words — 'nevertheless' specifically means 'despite that.'