GED Reasoning Through Language Arts
Transitions & Word Choice
A transition is a signpost telling the reader how the next sentence relates to the last one — adding, contrasting, resulting, or ordering. Pick the wrong signpost and the paragraph drives off the road. The test shows you two sentences and asks which signpost fits between them.
The words first
- transition
- a connector word or phrase: however, therefore, for example
- contrast
- the second sentence pushes against the first
- cause/result
- the second sentence happens because of the first
- addition
- the second sentence piles on more of the same
The method
THE SIGNPOST FAMILIES
adding more: also, in addition, furthermore, moreover
contrasting: however, on the other hand, nevertheless, yet
cause → result: therefore, as a result, consequently, thus
example: for example, for instance, specifically
sequence: first, meanwhile, subsequently, finally
HOW TO CHOOSE
Read the two sentences WITHOUT any transition.
Ask: is sentence 2 more-of-the-same, a push-back,
a result, an example, or a next-step?
That relationship names the family; pick from that family.
THE MISMATCH TRAP
Sales fell for the third straight month. ___, the CEO is optimistic.
The sentences PUSH against each other → However.
"Therefore, the CEO is optimistic" would claim falling sales
CAUSED the optimism — nonsense.
Worked all the way through
The problem
Pick the transition: "The trail is steep and poorly marked. ___, hikers should carry a map and start early."
- Step 1 — Strip the blank and read both sentences.Fact: the trail is difficult. Advice: bring a map, start early.
- Step 2 — Name the relationship.The advice exists BECAUSE of the difficulty. That is cause → result.
- Step 3 — Choose from the result family.Therefore (or As a result): "The trail is steep and poorly marked. Therefore, hikers should carry a map."
- Step 4 — Sanity-check a rival family."However, hikers should carry a map" implies the map advice contradicts the steepness — it doesn't.
On the board
sentence 1: trail is difficult
a fact
sentence 2: bring a map
advice caused by the fact
relationship: cause → result
family: therefore / as a result
Therefore ✓
Answer
Therefore
A second one, in a different form
"The recipe looked complicated. ___, it required only five ingredients." Which transition?
looked complicated / actually simple
the sentences push against each other
family: contrast
However ✓
Answer
However
The usual mistake
Choosing a transition that sounds formal without checking the relationship.
Check yourself
Always read the two sentences with the blank removed and say their relationship in one word — more, but, so, example, or next. That one word hands you the family, and any member of the right family beats every member of the wrong one.
Practice it
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