🎓SAT English
READING 5
SAT Transitions or ESL Students
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SAT Transitions words and phrases (such as “however” and “therefore”) contribute significantly to the structure of a text by showing how one idea flows into the next.
Why Learn Transitions?
It is good for ESL students to learn SAT Transitions because:
- Reading Comprehension: Understanding words like however or consequently helps see the relationship between texts.
- Speaking Fluency: Speakers sounds more organized and natural when using transitions.
- Better Writing: Transitions join details so they flow.
- Expands Vocabulary: Learning transitions increases vocabulary used in exams like IELTS and SAT.
Basic Types of Transitions
- addition – furthermore, for example, likewise, moreover, similarly, in addition
- cause – therefore, thus, consequently
- contradiction – however, nevertheless
Exercise 1 Listen for the Transition
Guess the transition word to complete the sentences, then listen to the sentences for the answers.
- In Chiang Mai, in normally rains more in June than earlier months, ___________, rain is forecasted every day next week.
- We spend most of our time at work or school during weekdays, _____________, the weekend is much better.
- Buying Christmas presents is common in many cultures, ________________, it is a busy time for shops.
Click on the sentence to hear the full sentence.
Examples of Transitions
addition + cause <– contradiction X
- School holidays can be a time for experiences, + traveling is often a time for discovering new things.
- Driving is a useful skill <– some students wish to learn how to drive
- We all eat, X being able to cook is something we need to learn to do well.
- Reading is essential for English learning, nevertheless too much reading can be boring for students.
- Driving is a useful skill therefore some students wish to learn how to drive.
- We all eat, however, being able to cook is something we need to learn to do well.
- School holidays can be a time for experiences, for example, traveling is often a time for discovering new things.
- Young adults need sleep, in addition, adequate breaks are required during the day.
- The Thai language is considered important for students in Thailand, likewise Mathematics is also a major subject.
Exercise 2 Transitions for ESL Students
Find the correct transition word to complete the sentences
Example: I like Thai food. ________, I enjoy Japanese food too.
- a) Therefore
- b) In addition
- c) However
- d) Consequently
Answer: B. In addition – the type of SAT transition is addition
-- Great Resource --
A-Z List of SAT Transitions for ESL Students
A complete A-Z of transitions, explanation and example of how they are used in English:
Complete List of SAT Transitions in English (free pdf download)
Student Advice
- Read the sentence before and after the blank.
- Identify its relationship
- Choose the transition word that aligns with this relationship.
Exercise 3 SAT Transitions for ESL Students
There are 2 exercises: #1 is pre-SAT Transitions, and #2 is SAT-style (revised) Transitions for ESL students
SAT Transitions for ESL students (SAT Transitions worksheet pdf download)
More Help on SAT Transitions
For a complete list of types of transitions used in English see:
SAT Transitions in English: Effective Approaches to Using Transition Words
SAT questions
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