Transition Questions

Mastering Transition Questions on the DSAT

By Robert Schulte

Transitions

Objective:

• Understand transition questions on the DSAT.

• Learn a strategy to approach and answer transition questions effectively.

• Practice answering these questions with a clear, step-by-step method.

Kinds of Transitions

We will look at 8 main kinds of transitions over the next few slides.

I will show you a description of the transition and ask you for examples of each.

Kinds of Transitions

Additive Transitions

These transitions help add information or ideas.

What are some words that accomplish this?

"I love pizza. _______, I love spaghetti." - how can we finish the sentence?

Kinds of Transitions

Additive Transitions

These transitions help add information or ideas.

Examples: "furthermore," "additionally," "moreover," "also," "in addition"

"I love pizza. In addition, I love spaghetti."

Kinds of Transitions

Contrast Transitions

These transitions highlight differences, contradictions, or contrasts between two ideas.

What words accomplish this that you know?
I love Canada, ________ I hate the weather.

Kinds of Transitions

Contrast Transitions

These transitions highlight differences, contradictions, or contrasts between two ideas.

Examples: "however," "on the other hand," "nevertheless," "but," "yet," "in contrast," "although"

I love Canada, however I hate the weather.

Kinds of Transitions

Cause-and-Effect Transitions

These transitions show the relationship between a cause and its result or consequence.

What words accomplish this that you know?
"I had no experience driving a motorbike. ________, I suffered a broken back and clavicle!"

Kinds of Transitions

Cause-and-Effect Transitions

These transitions show the relationship between a cause and its result or consequence.
Examples: "therefore," "as a result," "because," "consequently," "thus," "due to"

"I had no experience driving a motorbike. Consequently, I suffered a broken back and clavicle!"

Kinds of Transitions

Comparison Transitions

These transitions help compare two or more ideas.

What words accomplish this that you know?
"I have blond hair and am skinny. _______, my father has blond hair and is skinny."

Kinds of Transitions

Comparison Transitions

These transitions help compare two or more ideas.

Examples: "similarly," "likewise," "in the same way"

"I have blond hair and am skinny. Similarly, my father has blond hair and is skinny."

Multiple Choice

These transitions highlight differences between two ideas.

• Additive Transitions

• Contrast Transitions

• Cause-and-Effect Transitions

• Comparison Transitions

Multiple Choice

These transitions help show similarities or differences between two or more ideas.

• Additive Transitions

• Contrast Transitions

• Cause-and-Effect Transitions

• Comparison Transitions

Multiple Choice

These transitions help expand information or ideas.

• Additive Transitions

• Contrast Transitions

• Cause-and-Effect Transitions

• Comparison Transitions

Multiple Choice

These transitions show the relationship between an origin and its effect.

• Additive Transitions

• Contrast Transitions

• Cause-and-Effect Transitions

• Comparison Transitions

Multiple Choice

Choose the additive transition word

• similarly

• due to

• yet

• furthermore

Multiple Choice

Choose the cause-and-effect transition word

• additionally

• however

• similarly

• consequently

Multiple Choice

Choose the contrast transition word

• in the same way

• moreover

• nevertheless

• consequently

Multiple Choice

Choose the comparison transition word

• therefore

• furthermore

• nevertheless

• similarly

Kinds of Transitions

Clarification Transitions

These transitions are used to explain or clarify an idea further.

What words accomplish this that you know?
"The new cat treat has a 90-plus palatability level. _________, cats like it."

Kinds of Transitions

Clarification Transitions

These transitions are used to explain or clarify an idea further.

Examples: "in other words," "that is," "namely," "for example"

"The new cat treat has a 90-plus palatability level. In other words, cats like it."

Kinds of Transitions

Sequence or Chronological Transitions

These transitions organize ideas in time or sequence.

What words accomplish this that you know?
"______, I wake up, _____I take a shower, _____ I eat breakfast. ______ I go to work."

Kinds of Transitions

Sequence or Chronological Transitions

These transitions organize ideas in time or sequence.

Examples: "first," "next," "then," "finally," "subsequently,"

"First, I wake up, next I take a shower, then I eat breakfast. Subsequently I go to work."

Kinds of Transitions

Summary or Conclusion Transitions

These transitions summarize or conclude an argument or idea.

What words accomplish this that you know?

Kinds of Transitions

Summary or Conclusion Transitions

These transitions summarize or conclude an argument or idea.

Examples: "in conclusion," "to summarize," "overall," "in summary"

Use these to begin your conclusion paragraph in IELTS!

Kinds of Transitions

Emphasis Transitions

These transitions stress or emphasize an important point.

What words accomplish this that you know?

"Canada is a cold country. _____, it is one of the coldest in the world."

Kinds of Transitions

Emphasis Transitions

These transitions stress or emphasize an important point.


Examples: "indeed," "in fact," "of course," "certainly"

"Canada is a cold country. In fact, it is one of the coldest in the world."

Multiple Choice

These transitions are used to explain or make an idea simpler to understand.

• Emphasis Transitions

• Summary or Conclusion Transitions

• Sequence or Chronological Transitions

• Clarification Transitions

Multiple Choice

These transitions help to sum up an argument or idea.

• Emphasis Transitions

• Summary or Conclusion Transitions

• Sequence or Chronological Transitions

• Clarification Transitions

Multiple Choice

These transitions stress an important point.

• Emphasis Transitions

• Summary or Conclusion Transitions

• Sequence or Chronological Transitions

• Clarification Transitions

Multiple Choice

These transitions organize ideas in time or the order they occur.

• Emphasis Transitions

• Summary or Conclusion Transitions

• Sequence or Chronological Transitions

• Clarification Transitions

Multiple Choice

Choose the Summary or Conclusion transition word

• likewise

• that is

• overall

• then

Multiple Choice

Choose the Clarification transition word

• of course

• in conclusion

• meanwhile

• in other words

Multiple Choice

Choose the emphasis transition word

• certainly

• overall

• next

• subsequently

Practice Question

In 1942, the 1,500-mile Alaska Highway was constructed in under nine months, largely due to the skilled work of nearly 4,000 African American soldiers from US Army engineering regiments. The soldiers’ contribution was overlooked for decades. ______ in 2017, lawmakers declared October 25 a day of recognition—“Alaska Highway Day”—for the troops who helped build this critical roadway.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

Before we look at the answer options - decide on a transition word that you think would fit.

What Are Transition Questions on the DSAT?

In 1942, the 1,500-mile Alaska Highway was constructed in under nine months, largely due to the skilled work of nearly 4,000 African American soldiers from US Army engineering regiments. The soldiers’ contribution was overlooked for decades. ______ in 2017, lawmakers declared October 25 a day of recognition—“Alaska Highway Day”—for the troops who helped build this critical roadway.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

A. Lastly,

B. Then,

C. Similarly,

D. For example,

What Are Transition Questions on the DSAT?

In 1942, the 1,500-mile Alaska Highway was constructed in under nine months, largely due to the skilled work of nearly 4,000 African American soldiers from US Army engineering regiments. The soldiers’ contribution was overlooked for decades. ______ in 2017, lawmakers declared October 25 a day of recognition—“Alaska Highway Day”—for the troops who helped build this critical roadway.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

A. Lastly, - not an option - used in a list and usually preceded by 'firstly', 'secondly' etc.

B. Then,

C. Similarly,

D. For example,

What Are Transition Questions on the DSAT?

In 1942, the 1,500-mile Alaska Highway was constructed in under nine months, largely due to the skilled work of nearly 4,000 African American soldiers from US Army engineering regiments. The soldiers’ contribution was overlooked for decades. ______ in 2017, lawmakers declared October 25 a day of recognition—“Alaska Highway Day”—for the troops who helped build this critical roadway.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

A. Lastly, - not an option - used in a list and usually preceded by 'firstly', 'secondly' etc.

B. Then, - This works as the events are listed chronologically (1942 - 'decades' - 2017)

C. Similarly,

D. For example,

What Are Transition Questions on the DSAT?

In 1942, the 1,500-mile Alaska Highway was constructed in under nine months, largely due to the skilled work of nearly 4,000 African American soldiers from US Army engineering regiments. The soldiers’ contribution was overlooked for decades. ______ in 2017, lawmakers declared October 25 a day of recognition—“Alaska Highway Day”—for the troops who helped build this critical roadway.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

A. Lastly, - not an option - used in a list and usually preceded by 'firstly', 'secondly' etc.

B. Then, - This works as the events are listed chronologically (1942 - 'decades' - 2017)

C. Similarly, - this is a comparison word, but no comparison is being made here

D. For example,

What Are Transition Questions on the DSAT?

In 1942, the 1,500-mile Alaska Highway was constructed in under nine months, largely due to the skilled work of nearly 4,000 African American soldiers from US Army engineering regiments. The soldiers’ contribution was overlooked for decades. ______ in 2017, lawmakers declared October 25 a day of recognition—“Alaska Highway Day”—for the troops who helped build this critical roadway.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

A. Lastly, - not an option - used in a list and usually preceded by 'firstly', 'secondly' etc.

B. Then, - This works as the events are listed chronologically (1942 - 'decades' - 2017)

C. Similarly, - this is a comparison word, but no comparison is being made here

D. For example, - no example is needed here - nothing is being proven.

What Are Transition Questions on the DSAT?

In 1942, the 1,500-mile Alaska Highway was constructed in under nine months, largely due to the skilled work of nearly 4,000 African American soldiers from US Army engineering regiments. The soldiers’ contribution was overlooked for decades. ______ in 2017, lawmakers declared October 25 a day of recognition—“Alaska Highway Day”—for the troops who helped build this critical roadway.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

A. Lastly,

B. Then, is the most logical transition - let's go with it!

C. Similarly,

D. For example,

What Are Transition Questions on the DSAT?

Justification:

Choice B is the best answer. "Then" logically signals that the event described in this sentence—lawmakers’ 2017 declaration of Alaska Highway Day—is part of a chronological sequence of events, occurring after the decades-long period in which the soldiers’ contribution was overlooked.

Multiple Choice

In 1968, US Congressman John Conyers introduced a bill to establish a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther KingJr. The bill didn’t make it to a vote, but Conyers was determined. He teamed up with Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman to be elected to Congress, and they resubmitted the bill every session for the next fifteen years. ______ in 1983,the bill passed.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

• Instead,

• Likewise,

• Finally,

• Additionally,

Multiple Choice

It has long been thought that humans first crossed a land bridge into the Americas approximately 13,000 years ago. ______ based on radiocarbon dating of samples uncovered in Mexico, a research team recently suggested that humans may have arrived more than 30,000 years ago—much earlier than previously thought.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

• As a result,

• Similarly,

• However,

• In conclusion,

Multiple Choice

Researchers believe that pieces of hull found off Oregon’s coast are from a Spanish cargo ship that was lost in 1697. Stories passed down among the area’s Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians support this belief. ______ Siletz stories describe how blocks of beeswax, an item the ship had been carrying, began washing ashore after the ship was lost.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

• For this reason,

• For example,

• However,

• Likewise,

Multiple Choice

Geoscientists have long considered Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano to be Earth’s largest shield volcano by volume, measuring approximately 74,000 cubic kilometers. ______ according to a 2020 study by local geoscientist Michael Garcia, Hawaii’s Pūhāhonu shield volcano is significantly larger, boasting a volume of about 148,000 cubic kilometers.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

• Secondly,

• Consequently,

• Moreover,

• However,

Multiple Choice

Before the 1847 introduction of the US postage stamp, the cost of postage was usually paid by the recipient of a letter rather than the sender, and recipients were not always able or willing to pay promptly. ______ collecting this fee could be slow and arduous, and heaps of unpaid-for, undeliverable mail piled up in post offices.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

• Regardless,

• On the contrary,

• Consequently,

• For example,

Multiple Choice

A potter choosing which type of clay to use for a piece considers two key factors: the desired look of the piece and its intended use. ______ earthenware clay is often used for decorative pieces because of its rustic look. This type of clay is not often used in industrial settings, though, because it is less durable than other clays.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

• In other words,

• Regardless,

• In conclusion,

• For example,

Multiple Choice

In Gothic architecture, flying buttresses are large arches that help support a building’s exterior walls. Before the Gothic Era, cathedrals’ heavy ceilings had to be supported by thick, short walls, but the invention of flying buttresses eliminated this need. ______ Gothic cathedrals could be built with thinner, higher walls.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

• Similarly,

• For instance,

• Nevertheless,

• As a result,

Multiple Choice

Tyrian purple was a highly prized dye among the Phoenicians (an ancient civilization located in present-day Lebanon).The Phoenicians were famous for using this natural dye to color their clothes a distinctive purple . ______ the name “Phoenicia” itself, some historians claim, may have originally meant “land of purple.”

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

• In fact,

• Regardless,

• Lastly,

• On the contrary,