Transitional Phrases Writing Exercises: Level B2 (with Answers)

⏱ Time: 07:30 📝 Questions: 15 📊 Level: B2 📚 Type: Writing ⭐ XP: up to +16 (on pass)

How well do you really know Transitional Phrases? Find out with 15 exercises designed for B2 learners. Instant scoring shows exactly where you stand, and detailed explanations turn every mistake into a learning moment. Retake any time to measure your improvement.

⏱ You have 07:30 to answer 15 questions. The timer only starts when you click Begin.

Q1  15
Q1 15

Question 1: Read the following sentence: 'The project was delayed by two weeks; however, the team still managed to meet the final deadline.' What type of transitional phrase is 'however' in this sentence?

Question 1 options
'However' signals a contrast between the delay and meeting the deadline. It is an adversative transition, specifically indicating contrast between two opposing ideas.
Q2 15

Question 2: The company reported record profits last quarter. ___, it announced plans to expand into three new markets.

Question 2 options
'As a result' is the correct causal transition here because the expansion decision is a consequence of the record profits. 'On the contrary' signals contrast, 'first of all' signals sequence, and 'for instance' signals illustration, none of which fit the cause-effect relationship.
Q3 15

Question 3: When 'however' is used as a transitional phrase between two independent clauses, it should be preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma.

Question 3 options
This is the standard punctuation rule for conjunctive adverbs like 'however' joining two independent clauses: semicolon before, comma after (e.g., 'The plan seemed risky; however, it succeeded.').
Q4 15

Question 4: Which sentence correctly uses a contrast transitional phrase?

Question 4 options
'In contrast' correctly signals opposition between the two different weather conditions in different cities. 'In addition' signals addition (not contrast), 'as a result' signals cause-effect, and 'for example' signals illustration.
Q5 15

Question 5: Match each transitional phrase category to its correct example phrase.

Question 5 options
Additive
Adversative
Causal
Sequential
not to mention
on the contrary
to begin with
due to

Select an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

Additive transitions add information ('not to mention'). Adversative transitions show contrast ('on the contrary'). Causal transitions show cause-effect ('due to'). Sequential transitions show order ('to begin with').
Q6 15

Question 6: Which sentence contains an error in how the transitional phrase is punctuated?

Question 6 options
The sentence 'She studied hard for the exam, therefore, she passed with flying colours' is incorrect because 'therefore' joining two independent clauses requires a semicolon before it: 'She studied hard for the exam; therefore, she passed with flying colours.' Using only a comma creates a comma splice.
Q7 15

Question 7: Remote work has become increasingly popular among employees. Many workers appreciate the flexibility and the lack of a commute. ___, some employers have noted a rise in productivity since adopting remote policies.

Question 7 options
'In addition' is the best choice because the sentence adds another supporting point (employer-observed productivity) to the benefits of remote work. 'In contrast' signals opposition, 'in conclusion' signals a summary, and 'for this reason' signals a consequence of the previous idea rather than an additional point.
Q8 15

Question 8: The following sentence contains an error: 'The city invested heavily in public transport, on the other hand it reduced traffic congestion significantly.' Which option correctly fixes the error?

Question 8 options
The original sentence misuses the contrast transition 'on the other hand' where a cause-effect relationship exists. The city's investment caused the reduction in congestion, so 'as a result' is the correct transition, and it must be preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma.
Q9 15

Question 9: Arrange the parts of this paragraph in the correct order using appropriate transitional logic:

Question 9 options
  • In conclusion, the mental advantages of bilingualism are well supported by evidence.
  • Learning a second language offers many cognitive benefits.
  • For example, bilingual individuals often show better problem-solving skills.
  • In addition, research suggests that speaking two languages may delay the onset of dementia.

Drag items or use arrows to arrange them in the correct order.

A well-structured paragraph begins with a topic sentence, then uses 'for example' to illustrate, 'in addition' to add a related point, and 'in conclusion' to summarise. This follows the logical sequence: claim → illustration → addition → summary.
Q10 15

Question 10: You are writing a formal report about declining sales. You need to introduce a cause. Which transitional phrase is most appropriate?

Question 10 options
'Due to the fact that' is a formal causal transition appropriate for a business report. 'Basically because' is too informal, 'in addition' signals addition rather than cause, and 'to illustrate' introduces an example rather than a cause.
Q11 15

Question 11: What is the key difference between 'in contrast' and 'on the contrary'?

Question 11 options
'In contrast' is used to highlight differences between two separate things or ideas, while 'on the contrary' is used to directly negate or contradict a preceding statement, asserting that the opposite is true.
Q12 15

Question 12: Which version of the sentence is most appropriate for an academic essay?

Question 12 options
'Provided that participants consent, the study will proceed as planned' uses the formal conditional transition 'provided that,' which is appropriate for academic writing. 'As long as people say yes' is too informal, 'if, like, everyone agrees' is colloquial, and 'so basically if they consent' mixes informal register with academic content.
Q13 15

Question 13: The transitional phrase 'on the other hand' is always used to show contrast between opposing ideas.

Question 13 options
This is false. While 'on the other hand' typically signals contrast, it can also function as an additive transition that introduces another aspect or perspective of the same topic without necessarily opposing the first point.
Q14 15

Question 14: Read the following passage: 'The company had been losing customers for months. All things considered, the board decided to completely restructure its management team.' Why does the writer use 'all things considered' in this context?

Question 14 options
'All things considered' is a summary/conclusion transition that signals the writer is presenting a final decision after weighing all relevant factors. It shows that the board's restructuring decision was the conclusion drawn from considering the full situation, not just one factor.
Q15 15

Question 15: Choose the best improvement for this awkward sentence: 'The experiment failed and so because of that the researchers decided to change their methods and they also requested more funding.'

Question 15 options
The improved version uses 'consequently' to clearly signal the cause-effect relationship and 'in addition' to signal the added action. This creates clear logical connections and eliminates the vague, run-on structure of the original.