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Reading & Writing · Checkpoint 7 of 30 · Expression of Ideas · ~10 min
Transitions
Pick the logical relationship first, the word second.
The 30-second version
cover the answer choices. Read the sentence before the blank and the sentence containing it. Decide the relationship yourself — continuing? contrasting? cause-and-effect? an example? — and only then look at the choices. The relationship decides the word; the word never decides the relationship.
Learn it: the categories
| Relationship | Typical words |
|---|---|
| Continuation / addition — second idea extends the first | furthermore, moreover, in addition, similarly, likewise |
| Contrast — second idea pushes against the first | however, nevertheless, by contrast, on the other hand, still |
| Cause → effect — second idea results from the first | therefore, consequently, as a result, thus, accordingly |
| Example / specifics — second idea illustrates the first | for example, for instance, specifically, in particular |
| Sequence / conclusion | subsequently, previously, finally, in conclusion, ultimately |
Within a category, the SAT treats words as interchangeable — it will never make you choose between however and nevertheless. Every question is really asking: which category?
The method
Summarize sentence 1 in five words
Example: "the old theory predicted X."
Summarize sentence 2
"New data shows not-X."
Name the relationship out loud
That's a contrast. Predict "however."
Match a choice to your prediction
Exactly one choice will sit in the right category.
Common traps
- Choosing by sound. Every choice sounds fine grammatically; only one is logical.
- Reading only the sentence with the blank. The relationship lives between two sentences — you must read both.
- Cause vs. sequence. Therefore claims the first sentence caused the second; subsequently only claims it came later. If there's no causal link, "therefore" is wrong even when the order fits.
Try it
"Early submarines could stay submerged for only a few hours. ____, nuclear-powered submarines can remain underwater for months at a time." Which transition fits?
Sentence 1: old subs, hours. Sentence 2: new subs, months. Opposite capabilities → contrast. "Similarly" claims the ideas match (they don't); "for example" claims sentence 2 illustrates sentence 1 (it contradicts it).
Free resources for this checkpoint
College Board SAT Suite Question Bank (opens in a new tab)
The official library of real SAT Suite questions. You can filter by section (Math or Reading and Writing), by content domain, by specific skill, and by difficulty, then export a custom practice set with answer explanations.
Official College Board
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Practice next
Question Bank filter: Reading & Writing → Expression of Ideas → Transitions. Predict the category before looking at choices, every single time.
Practice TransitionsOriginal Digital SAT-style questions on what this checkpoint covers.