• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Transitions: matching the word to the relationship; Transitions (SAT/ACT)). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. What relationship does this transition show? therefore (addition / contrast / cause and effect / sequence or time) → cause and effectPrompt: Imagine the word joining two sentences. Is the second one adding, opposing, resulting, illustrating, coming next, or admitting something?
2. Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition? The first printing presses were slow and costly. ___, books became cheaper as the technology improved. (For example / Over time / In contrast / Similarly) → Over timePrompt: Read both sentences. What is the relationship between them?
3. Choose the transition that best fits the logic of the text. The village is tiny. ___, it has three bakeries. (Even so / For example / Therefore / As a result) → Even soPrompt: Read the sentence before and after the gap. How are they related?

• Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
• Share the objective: Transitions in academic texts (SAT, advanced). Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition? The study found that sleep improves memory. ___, students who slept eight hours remembered 20% more words.
• Step 1: The right transition captures the exact logical relationship between two sentences.
• Step 2: Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "The study found that sleep improves memory. Specifically, students who slept eight hours remembered 20% more words."
• Step 3: So the answer is: Specifically
• Answer: Specifically
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Is the transition in this text logical? The ancient road was built for carts. Similarly, modern cars find many sections too narrow. (correct / incorrect) → incorrectPrompt: Cover the choices. In your own words, how does the second sentence relate to the first?
2. Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition? The two languages share many words. ___, their grammar is very different. (Thus / Likewise / For example / Even so) → Even soPrompt: Cover the choices. In your own words, how does the second sentence relate to the first?

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Is the transition in this text logical? Octopuses can change colour. Instead, they can also change the texture of their skin. (correct / incorrect) → incorrectPrompt: Cover the choices. In your own words, how does the second sentence relate to the first?
2. Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition? Glaciers store fresh water. ___, when they melt, sea levels rise. (Nevertheless / For instance / Similarly / Consequently) → ConsequentlyPrompt: Cover the choices. In your own words, how does the second sentence relate to the first?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-11.