Transitional Words/Phrases
A student is writing about the benefits of exercise:
Exercise improves physical health. ______, it can also boost mental well-being by reducing stress.
Which transition best completes the sentence?
A. However
B. In addition
C. As a result
D. On the other hand
B. In addition
Read the passage:
Are you tired of dull, lifeless hair? Try ShinePro Shampoo today for silky, smooth results after just one wash!
What is the author’s purpose and intended audience?
A. Inform; scientists
B. Entertain; children
C. Persuade; consumers interested in hair care
D. Explain; teachers
C. Persuade; consumers interested in hair care
Read the student draft:
Last Friday, I walked into the cafeteria and saw piles of untouched food. It made me wonder why so much is wasted. Schools should start composting programs to reduce this problem.
Which TWO writing techniques are used?
Narrative + Argumentative
Read the sentence:
This is the best project I have completed all year.
Which word is the demonstrative pronoun?
A. best
B. This
C. project
D. completed
This
Choose the sentence that correctly uses commas:
A. After school we went to the park and played basketball.
B. After school, we went to the park and played basketball.
C. After school we went to the park, and played basketball.
D. After school we, went to the park and played basketball.
B. After school, we went to the park and played basketball.
Read the passage:
The school planned an outdoor field day. ______, heavy rain forced administrators to cancel the event.
Which transition best fits the relationship between the ideas?
A. Similarly
B. For example
C. However
D. In conclusion
C. However
Read the passage:
The water cycle includes evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. These processes work together to move water through Earth’s systems.
What is the author’s purpose and intended audience?
A. Persuade; voters
B. Inform; students learning science
C. Entertain; athletes
D. Argue; business owners
B. Inform; students learning science
Read the student draft:
Food waste affects the environment by increasing landfill use and greenhouse gases. According to studies, composting can reduce waste significantly. Schools should adopt composting programs.
Which TWO writing techniques are used?
Informative + Argumentative
Read the sentence:
I don’t like those because they are too difficult to understand.
Which word is the demonstrative pronoun?
those
Choose the sentence that correctly uses a dash (—):
A. I was going to tell her— but I forgot.
B. I was going to tell her, but—I forgot.
C. I was going to tell her—but I forgot.
D. I was going to tell her but—I forgot.
C. I was going to tell her—but I forgot.
Read the passage:
Many students prefer digital textbooks because they are lightweight and easy to access. ______, some argue that printed books help improve focus and comprehension.
Which transition best reflects the shift in perspective?
B. In contrast
Read the passage:
If schools extended recess time, students would return to class more focused and ready to learn. Studies show that physical activity improves concentration and academic performance.
What is the author’s purpose and intended audience?
Persuade; school administrators/decision-makers
Read the student draft:
The trash can overflowed like a volcano, spilling wasted lunches onto the floor. I remembered throwing away my own food just hours earlier. If we all made better choices, we could reduce waste.
Which TWO writing techniques are used?
Poetic + Narrative
Read the sentence:
These are the reasons we should start the recycling program at school.
Which option BEST explains the role of the demonstrative pronoun?
A. “These” describes a noun
B. “These” replaces a previously mentioned idea
C. “These” shows action
D. “These” connects two sentences
Answer: B. “These” replaces a previously mentioned idea
Read the sentence:
She opened the letter and read the first line... she couldn’t believe what it said.
Why is the ellipsis (...) used?
A. To show a list
B. To indicate a pause or suspense
C. To connect clauses
D. To separate items
B. To indicate a pause or suspense
ead the paragraph:
The cafeteria introduced healthier lunch options this year. Students were initially skeptical about the changes. ______, participation in the lunch program has increased significantly.
Which transition best shows the unexpected outcome?
C. Nevertheless
Read the passage:
The crowd roared as the underdog team scored the winning goal in the final seconds of the game, creating a moment fans would never forget.
What is the author’s purpose and intended audience?
Entertain; sports fans/readers
Read the student draft:
Every year, schools throw away thousands of pounds of food. This waste harms the environment and costs money. Imagine a world where leftovers feed gardens instead of landfills—schools must take action now.
Which TWO writing techniques are used?
Informative + Argumentative
Hint on explanation: imagery adds slight poetic touch, but primary techniques are informative + argumentative
Read the passage:
The science fair projects were impressive. That was especially true for the solar energy models.
What does the demonstrative pronoun “That” refer to?
A. science fair
B. projects
C. the idea that the projects were impressive
D. solar energy models
C. the idea that the projects were impressive
Choose the BEST revision of the sentence using correct punctuation:
My brother who lives in Texas is coming to visit.
A. My brother who lives in Texas, is coming to visit.
B. My brother, who lives in Texas is coming to visit.
C. My brother, who lives in Texas, is coming to visit.
D. My brother who lives, in Texas, is coming to visit.
C. My brother, who lives in Texas, is coming to visit.
Read the passage:
Recycling programs have expanded across the city, making it easier for residents to reduce waste. ______, not all neighborhoods have equal access to recycling facilities, which creates challenges for some communities.
Which transition best highlights the limitation of the first idea?
A. In summary
B. Consequently
C. On the other hand
D. Specifically
C. On the other hand
Read the passage:
Local residents are encouraged to attend the town hall meeting on Thursday to discuss the proposed park renovation. Your input can help shape the future of our community spaces.
What is the author’s purpose and intended audience?
Persuade/encourage participation; community members/local residents
Read the student draft:
I used to toss my lunch without thinking. Now I see each apple core as a seed of change, a chance to nourish the earth instead of harm it. Composting programs can turn waste into something valuable, and schools should lead this effort.
Which TWO writing techniques are most clearly developed?
Narrative + Argumentative
Read the passage:
Students debated two proposals for improving school lunches. These would require additional funding, but they could improve nutrition for everyone.
What does the demonstrative pronoun “These” refer to?
A. students
B. debates
C. proposals for improving school lunches
D. funding
C. proposals for improving school lunches
Read the sentence:
I had everything planned the decorations the food the music I thought it would be perfect then everything went wrong
Which option BEST revises the sentence using correct punctuation (commas, dashes, and/or ellipses)?
A. I had everything planned, the decorations, the food, the music, I thought it would be perfect, then everything went wrong.
B. I had everything planned—the decorations, the food, the music—I thought it would be perfect... then everything went wrong.
C. I had everything planned the decorations, the food the music—I thought it would be perfect then everything went wrong.
D. I had everything planned... the decorations the food the music, I thought it would be perfect then everything went wrong.
B. I had everything planned—the decorations, the food, the music—I thought it would be perfect... then everything went wrong.