SAT Reading & Writing: transitions and punctuation

Hi! Transition and punctuation questions are the fastest points on the SAT Reading and Writing section, because they follow rules. Once you know the rules, you stop guessing by what sounds right.

Every transition has a job

Every transition word has a job. Contrast words like however and nevertheless show a turn. Addition words like moreover and furthermore add a point in the same direction. Cause and effect words like therefore and consequently show a result. And for instance introduces an example.

The method

Here's the method. Read the sentence before the blank. Read the sentence after it. Then name the relationship in one word: same direction, a turn, a result, or an example. Only then look at the options. If you read the options first, every one of them starts to sound right.

Your turn

Try one. The experiment was extremely expensive. Blank, it produced no usable data. Which transition fits? Careful: this one is a trap.

Cause or contrast?

Another one. The bridge was closed for repairs. Blank, commuters took the ferry instead. What's the relationship?

Punctuation rules that matter

Now punctuation. A semicolon joins two complete sentences. A colon must come after a complete sentence, and introduces what follows: a list, an explanation, an example. And a comma alone can never join two complete sentences. That mistake is called a comma splice, and the SAT tests it constantly.

• Semicolon ;: Joins two complete sentences
• Colon :: After a complete sentence — a list, an explanation, an example
• Comma alone ,: Can't join two sentences — a comma splice

Find the comma splice

Three of these sentences are correct, and one is a comma splice. Tap the wrong one.

Pick the punctuation

Which punctuation mark goes in the blank?

The rules on four cards

Review the rules with these cards. Tap each one and say the answer before you flip it.

Fill the gaps

Quick recap. Fill in the gaps.

You can now

Great work! You can now choose transitions by their job, avoid the however trap, use semicolons and colons correctly, and spot a comma splice instantly.

• Choose transitions by their job
• Avoid the however trap
• Use semicolons and colons correctly
• Spot a comma splice