SAT Writing : Revising a Single Word of Introductions and Transitions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #621 : Improving Paragraphs

1 One such example of regional cooking could be found in the American South. 2 Wherefore foods such as gumbo, barbecue, fried chicken, and watermelons can now be found all across the country, it was once specific to states south of the Mason-Dixon line. 3 And while Southern cuisine has been influenced by Native American tribes, Scottish immigrants, and Cajun settlers, one of the most significant culinary inspirations came from the South’s black population. 4 Dishes such as cornbread, succotash, collard or turnip greens, pimento cheese, crawfish, and sweet tea all hale from the South, as well. 5 For example, okra, black-eyed peas, and sorghum are all foods brought to America and cultivated by African slaves. 6 Soon, soul food (a sometimes contentious term among black chefs) began to be served in black-owned restaurants in the South. 7 Borne out of competing cultural influences and not-infrequent strife, it should be no surprise that Southern food remains a complex delicious cuisine to this day.

How should the underlined beginning of Sentence 3 be revised?

Possible Answers:

However

Because

And wherever

And while

While

Correct answer:

And while

Explanation:

Here, no change is necessary. Although it may not always be the best practice to begin sentences with “And,” it’s grammatically acceptable. Moreover, the previous sentence, once corrected, will also begin with “While,” so the “And” that begins Sentence 3 actually serves an important transitional role.

Example Question #622 : Improving Paragraphs

1 One such example of regional cooking could be found in the American South. 2 Wherefore foods such as gumbo, barbecue, fried chicken, and watermelons can now be found all across the country, it was once specific to states south of the Mason-Dixon line. 3 And while Southern cuisine has been influenced by Native American tribes, Scottish immigrants, and Cajun settlers, one of the most significant culinary inspirations came from the South’s black population. 4 Dishes such as cornbread, succotash, collard or turnip greens, pimento cheese, crawfish, and sweet tea all hale from the South, as well. 5 For example, okra, black-eyed peas, and sorghum are all foods brought to America and cultivated by African slaves. 6 Soon, soul food (a sometimes contentious term among black chefs) began to be served in black-owned restaurants in the South. 7 Borne out of competing cultural influences and not-infrequent strife, it should be no surprise that Southern food remains a complex delicious cuisine to this day.

In Sentence 6, what transitional word or phrase should replace “Soon”?

Possible Answers:

Precipitously

Gradually

Later

Soon (no change)

Henceforth

Correct answer:

Later

Explanation:

Sentence 6 discusses a development that occurred after the events of Sentence 5, so “Later” is the best word to signify this chronological relationship.

Example Question #11 : Revising A Single Word Of Introductions And Transitions

1 Glass; a material most people take for granted, is an essential constitute of modern life. 2 Most glass throughout history have been made of silicon dioxide; which is found in sand. 3 Typically glass is made by melting down and refining raw materials in processes that remove bubbles, improve strength, and augur durability. 4 This process can be tailored to create the desired end product, be that stained glass windows for a church and glass fibers for thermal insulation. 5 Because glass blowing can be used to create fanciful shapes and delicate figurines, most glass today is made more quickly and cheaply in factories. 6 These factories can produce everything. 7 From windshields and sterile medical equipment.

In Sentence 5, what transitional word should replace “Because”?

Possible Answers:

Because (no change)

Further

Although

Notably

Indeed

Correct answer:

Although

Explanation:

The relationship indicated by the content of the sentence isn’t one of cause and effect; it’s one of contrast. For this reason, we need a contrasting transition: although.

Example Question #14 : Rewriting A Single Word

1 Unlike most languages, Esperanto was created artificially and not arrived naturally from other language’s evolution. 2 If you’ve ever traveled in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language, you’ll be familiar with the motives of the creators of Esperanto; a universal language constructed in 1887. 3 It was invented by the linguist L.L. Zamenhof, its name translating roughly to “the hopeful one,” and it was intended as a simple, neutral language that could transfer national differences and promote international harmony.

4 Implementing Esperanto, although, was more difficult than anticipated. 5 Yet more than two million people world-wide are fluent in Esperanto, far more are fluent in so-called global languages, such as English, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Hindi. 6 Linguistically, Esperanto relies within a Latin alphabet and a grammar and vocabulary based primarily on Indo-European languages. 7 Luckily, free online resources, local clubs, and interminable school-sponsored instruction have kept this valuable linguistic experiment from dying out altogether.

In Sentence 5, what transitional word should replace “Yet”?

Possible Answers:

Although

Despite

Because

Wherever

Concomitantly

Correct answer:

Although

Explanation:

The only grammatically correct option on this list that also indicates the correct contrasting relationship between clauses in Sentence 5 is “Although.”

Example Question #622 : Improving Paragraphs

1 While maybe he wasn’t as well known as Bluebeard or Captain Kidd, Bill Johnston was still known as a feared pirate and river smuggler in his day.2 That day being the War of 1812. 3 You see, he came from a British Loyalist family and settled in Upper Canada before beginning a career as a Lake Ontario schooner captain, he carried legal cargo as well as smuggled tea and rum into Canada. 4 When the War of 1812 began he spied on the British for several years. 5 In 1838, his most famous escapade occurred: in the capture and burning of the enemy ship Sir Robert Peel. 6 Because Johnston was arrested many times during his life (including for this crime against the Sir Robert Peel), he always either escaped jail or was not convicted because of juries sympathetic view of his activities. 7 Many people do not know that another name for pirate is “corsair.” 8 Nevertheless, Johnston played many roles in his lifetime – everything from fugitive and corsair, criminal and hero.

In Sentence 5, what word should replace “Because”?

Possible Answers:

Because (no change)

However

Despite

Yet

Although

Correct answer:

Although

Explanation:

We need a word that indicates contrast and fits the grammatical construction of the sentence.

Example Question #21 : Rewriting A Single Word

1 While maybe he wasn’t as well known as Bluebeard or Captain Kidd, Bill Johnston was still known as a feared pirate and river smuggler in his day.2 That day being the War of 1812. 3 You see, he came from a British Loyalist family and settled in Upper Canada before beginning a career as a Lake Ontario schooner captain, he carried legal cargo as well as smuggled tea and rum into Canada. 4 When the War of 1812 began he spied on the British for several years. 5 In 1838, his most famous escapade occurred: in the capture and burning of the enemy ship Sir Robert Peel. 6 Because Johnston was arrested many times during his life (including for this crime against the Sir Robert Peel), he always either escaped jail or was not convicted because of juries sympathetic view of his activities. 7 Many people do not know that another name for pirate is “corsair.” 8 Nevertheless, Johnston played many roles in his lifetime – everything from fugitive and corsair, criminal and hero.

In Sentence 8, what word or phrase should replace “Nevertheless?”

Possible Answers:

Heretofore

All in all

Regardless

Uneventfully

Henceforward

Correct answer:

All in all

Explanation:

Given that Sentence 8 a concluding sentence, it makes sense to use a transitional word or phrase that indicates summary. “All in all” is the only choice that does so.

Example Question #12 : Revising A Single Word Of Introductions And Transitions

1 No one wants to live in the swamp. 2 But swamps are an incredibly important part of the Earth’s ecosystem. 3 They are defined as forested wetlands and can be found from Africa and Asia and in Europe and the Americas. 4 In fact: the only continent to not contained swamps is Antarctica. 5 Because swamps are rarely arid, meaning able to be farmed, and because it usually is not conducive to hunting, they are undervalued by human society. 6 In swamps, a portion of dry land that protects from the water is known as a “hammock.” 7 Moreover, swamps are actually integrity to our world, providing clean water and oxygen for people as well as breeding grounds for animals big and small. 

In Sentence 7, what word should replace “Moreover”?

Possible Answers:

However

Moreover (no change)

Likewise

Further

Indeed

Correct answer:

However

Explanation:

Based on the meaning of these sentences, we need a word that indicates contrast, not addition. “However” is the only choice that indicates contrast.

Example Question #13 : Revising A Single Word Of Introductions And Transitions

1 It may seem counterinsurgency, but people all around the world are now proposing the legalization of dangerous recreational drugs. 2 Advocates argue that legalization could reduce the schemata of drug addiction, as well as the incarcerated population in jails. 3 If drugs were sold in stores, the government could tax them and benefit from the revue. 4 Whereas, the incidence of drug-related malfeasance and crime could decrease as well. 5 However there are also dangers to legalization; with opponents asserting that it would only lead to more addiction. 6 While countries such as Portugal and the Netherlands have already implemented drug decriminalization with positive affects, only time will tell if such a policy could be beneficial in the United States.

In Sentence 4, what word or phrase should replace “Whereas”?

Possible Answers:

Moreover

That is to say

Whereas (no change)

Nonetheless

After all

Correct answer:

Moreover

Explanation:

Since Sentence 4 is continuing to enumerate advantages of drug legalization, it requires a transitional word that indicates addition and not contrast. “Moreover” is the only choice here that indicates a relationship of addition.

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