Question 224·Easy·Transitions
Many meteorologists predicted that the approaching storm would be mild. ______ the storm intensified rapidly overnight, causing widespread damage along the coast.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
For SAT transition questions, always read at least one sentence before and after the blank and first decide the relationship between them: addition (same direction), contrast (opposite/unexpected), cause-and-effect, or example. Then quickly label each choice by its typical role (e.g., "moreover" = addition, "however" = contrast, "consequently" = result) and eliminate any that don’t match the relationship you identified. This approach is faster and more reliable than trying to plug in each option by sound alone.
Hints
Look at how the second sentence relates to the first
Ask yourself: Does the second sentence support, give an example of, result from, or contradict what was said in the first sentence?
Focus on the prediction versus the outcome
Notice that meteorologists predicted a mild storm. Does the actual storm behavior match that prediction or go against it?
Match the relationship to the type of transition
Decide whether you need a transition for example, addition, cause-and-effect, or contrast, then eliminate choices that signal the wrong type of relationship.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what each sentence is saying
First sentence: meteorologists predicted the storm would be mild (soft, not strong). Second sentence: the storm actually intensified rapidly and caused widespread damage. So the reality is very different from the prediction.
Identify the logical relationship between the two ideas
The text is contrasting an expectation (mild storm) with an opposite outcome (strong, damaging storm). That means we need a transition that shows contrast or an unexpected result between the first and second sentences.
Classify the answer choices by the type of relationship they show
Go through the choices:
- "For instance," introduces an example of a general idea.
- "Moreover," adds similar or additional information.
- "Consequently," introduces a result or effect.
- One choice introduces a contrast between what was expected and what actually happened. Only the contrast type matches the relationship in the sentences.
Match the correct transition to the contrast
Because the second sentence goes against the prediction in the first, the most logical transition is "However," (Choice D), which clearly signals that the actual outcome was different from what was expected.