SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) · Reading and Writing

Transitions: Practice Questions

5 multiple-choice questions marked as you go, and 5 written questions with worked solutions. All on Transitions.

10 questions25 marksFree, no account
Question 1
1 mark

Many flowering plants have evolved bright colors and sweet scents to attract specific pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. ________, some plants, like the carrion flower, emit a smell similar to rotting meat to attract flies and beetles.

Question 2
1 mark

The 1970s marked a pivot in marine biology; ______ the identification of chemosynthetic communities at hydrothermal vents overturned the assumption that all complex ecosystems depend on sunlight for primary production. This paradigm shift prompted scientists to reconsider the boundaries of habitability on Earth and beyond.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

Question 3
1 mark

Critics of the proposed high-speed rail project argue that the initial construction costs are prohibitively high and will burden taxpayers for decades. ________, proponents point to the long-term economic benefits, including job creation and reduced carbon emissions from decreased car travel.

Question 4
1 mark

The Amazon rainforest produces roughly 20% of the Earth's oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. ________, it is often referred to as the 'lungs of the planet' by environmentalists and scientists alike.

Question 5
1 mark

Economic historians argue that the industrial revolution was primarily spurred by technological innovation in the textile and steam industries. ________, others suggest that institutional changes, such as the protection of property rights and the expansion of trade networks, were equally influential.

Question 6
3 marks

The company’s quarterly revenue exceeded projections due to strong sales in international markets. ________, the executive board decided to increase the annual dividend payment to shareholders. Which transition word or phrase most logically completes the text?

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Question 7
5 marks

The research team found that the new alloy was significantly lighter than traditional steel. ________, it demonstrated superior resistance to corrosion in high-salinity environments, making it ideal for maritime construction. Which transition word or phrase most logically completes the text?

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Question 8
3 marks

When the Voyager 1 spacecraft crossed the heliopause in 2012, it entered interstellar space—the region of the galaxy that lies beyond the influence of the sun’s solar wind. ________ this transition was marked by a significant increase in the density of plasma and a sudden decrease in the concentration of low-energy solar particles, confirming that the probe had indeed left our solar system.

Which transition word or phrase most logically completes the text?

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Question 9
4 marks

Biomimicry is the practice of looking to nature for inspiration to solve complex human problems. For instance, the design of high-speed Shinkansen trains in Japan was modified to mimic the beak of the kingfisher bird, which significantly reduced the noise created by sonic booms in tunnels. ________, engineers have developed self-healing materials by studying the vascular systems of plants and animals, allowing structures to repair themselves after sustaining damage.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Question 10
5 marks

The 1920s witnessed a profound shift in the architectural landscape of New York City; ________ the implementation of the 1916 Zoning Resolution forced architects to incorporate "setbacks" into their skyscraper designs to ensure that sunlight could still reach the streets below. This regulatory change inadvertently gave birth to the iconic "wedding cake" silhouette that defines the Art Deco era.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

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