HSPT: Transitions: name the link between two sentences
Learn to read two sentences, name how they connect, and choose the transition that signals that exact connection.
How do you pick the right transition when all four choices sound smooth?
Short answer
Cover the blank and decide how the second sentence relates to the first: contrast, unexpected outcome, cause and effect, example, addition or sequence. Then choose the transition from that family.
Know first: Reading two sentences as one idea, Common linking words such as but, so and also
Step 1 of 5
A transition promises what comes next
A transition tells the reader how the next sentence connects to the one before it. However promises a turn. Therefore promises a consequence. For example promises one case of a bigger idea.
If the second sentence doesn't keep that promise, the transition is wrong, no matter how smooth it sounds. The good news: transitions come in a few families, and words in the same family do nearly the same job. You're really choosing a family.
| Link | The second sentence... | Transitions |
|---|---|---|
| Contrast | differs from or turns against the first | however, on the other hand, by comparison |
| Unexpected outcome | happens despite the first | nevertheless, even so, still |
| Cause and effect | follows because of the first | therefore, consequently, thus |
| Example | gives one case of a general idea | for example, to illustrate, specifically |
| Addition or likeness | adds a point or a matching one | also, in addition, likewise, furthermore |
| Sequence | comes next in time or in steps | first, next, then, finally |
Two transitions from the same family are rarely both offered. If you can name the family, you can usually find the answer.
Step 2 of 5
Watch the method on a surprise
Worked example: Plenty of sun, few tomatoes
Choose the transition that best expresses the relationship. Grandpa's tomato plants got plenty of sun all summer. ___, they produced only a handful of tomatoes.
- ATherefore
- BNevertheless
- CFor example
- DLikewise
- 1
Cover and read
Lots of sun, then a tiny harvest. Sun usually helps plants, so you'd expect a big crop.
- 2
Name the link
The second sentence happens despite the first. That's the unexpected-outcome family.
- 3
Choose from the family
Nevertheless means in spite of that. The plants got plenty of sun. In spite of that, they produced only a handful. The promise is kept.
- 4
Where the wrong choices come from
Therefore claims the sun caused the small harvest. For example needs the second sentence to be one case of the first. Likewise needs a second fact that matches the first, and a small harvest doesn't match plenty of sun.
Answer
Nevertheless. The small harvest happened in spite of the sunny summer.
Wrong: The bus broke down on the highway. However, we arrived an hour late.
Right: The bus broke down on the highway. Consequently, we arrived an hour late.
Arriving late follows from the breakdown, so the link is cause and effect. However promises a turn that never comes.
Step 3 of 5
Try it yourself
Check yourself · Question 1
Choose the transition that best expresses the relationship. Some animals change color with the seasons. ___, the arctic fox has a brown coat in summer and a white coat in winter.
Answer: B
The first sentence makes a general claim, and the arctic fox is one case of it. That's the example family.
Check yourself · Question 2
Choose the transition that best expresses the relationship. To make the poster, sketch the layout lightly in pencil. ___, trace the final lines in marker.
Answer: C
The sentences are steps in order: sketch, then trace. That's the sequence family.
Check yourself · Question 3
Choose the transition that best expresses the relationship. The library added twenty new computers last fall. ___, students no longer wait in long lines to print their reports.
Answer: B
Shorter lines follow from adding computers. That's cause and effect, and consequently belongs to that family.
Trap answer: However
A change that isn't a contrast
- Why it looks right
- The words no longer signal a change, and a change can feel like a turn in the other direction.
- Why it's wrong
- The change is the effect of the new computers. It doesn't push against the first sentence.
- The right answer
- Consequently, because the shorter lines follow from the new computers.
Common mistake
I chose the transition that sounded the most formal.
- Why it's tempting
- Words like nevertheless and consequently sound like strong writing, so they feel like safe picks.
- Do this instead
- Ignore how impressive the word sounds. Say the link in plain words first, then pick the family that matches it.
Step 4 of 5
What to remember
Remember
- Cover the blank and say how the second sentence connects to the first.
- Match that link to a family: contrast, unexpected outcome, cause and effect, example, addition or sequence.
- Read both sentences with your choice to check that the transition's promise is kept.
Step 5 of 5
Practice on a real question
Use what you just learned on this question, then check the explanation.
In your own words
In the practice question, how does the second sentence connect to the first, and which family of transitions does that link belong to?