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Connectors and signal words
A single word like “however” can flip the meaning of a whole paragraph. Signal words tell you which way the passage turns, and the test writes its questions around exactly those turns.
Small words decide the meaning
Electric cars cost more to buy than most gas cars. However, they cost less to fuel and to maintain, so over several years many owners spend less in total.
Before “however,” the passage gives one side (higher price). After it, the side the author is really making a point about (lower total cost). If a question asks what the author suggests about electric cars, the answer comes from after the signal word.
After a contrast word comes the point
When you see however, but, yet or although, slow down. The sentence that follows the turn usually carries the author’s main point, and the question is often about it.
How to solve them
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1
Contrast words: the passage changes direction
These words announce that what comes next goes against what came before.
however, but, yetturnthe next part contradicts the lastalthough, even thoughturnone side is admitted, the other winsin contrast, on the other handturntwo things are compareddespite, neverthelessturnsomething happens anywayNext step: Cause & resultExample“Although the trail is steep, most hikers reach the top in an hour.” What is the point?
- The part after “although” is admitted: the trail is steep.
- The main clause wins: most hikers reach the top quickly.
Answer The hike is manageable despite the slope
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2
Cause and result words
These words link a reason to its effect. Questions that ask “why” or “what happened as a result” are answered right next to them.
because, since, due tocausethe reason comes nexttherefore, so, as a resultresultthe effect comes nextconsequently, thusresulta formal “so”Next step: Adding & examplesExample“The river flooded in spring; as a result, the farmers planted late.” Why did the farmers plant late?
- “As a result” points back to the cause: the flood.
Answer Because the river flooded
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3
Adding and example words keep the same direction
Words like also, in addition and furthermore add another point on the same side. For example and for instance introduce support, not a new idea.
Next step: In the questionsSame directionalso, in addition, moreover
one more point on the same side
Supportfor example, such as
an illustration of the point before
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4
How questions use signal words
A main idea or author’s view question is usually answered by the part after a contrast. A cause question is answered next to because or as a result. Find the signal word first and read on both sides of it.
Next step: Fill the gapShortcutCircle the signal word
On your scratch paper, note the signal word and whether it turns or continues. It takes two seconds and tells you where the answer is.
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5
Questions that ask for the missing connector
Some questions blank out the signal word. Decide first whether the two parts agree or disagree, then pick a word of that family.
Next step: CheckExample“The store had a big sale. ___, very few people came.”
- A sale should bring people; few came. The parts disagree.
- Contrast word: However.
Answer However
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6
Check the direction of your answer
If your answer agrees with the part before a “however,” it is probably taking the wrong side. Re-read the sentence after the turn.
Wrong sideElectric cars are too expensive.
The part the author argues against
Right sideElectric cars can cost less over time.
The point after “however”
4 traps in the answer choices
The test writes its wrong answers on purpose: each one is what you get if you make one of these mistakes.
Taking the side before “however”
What does the author suggest about electric cars?
Wrongthey are too expensive
Rightthey can cost less over several years
Reading “although” backwards
“Although the trail is steep, most hikers reach the top in an hour.”
Wrongthe trail is too hard
Rightthe hike is manageable
Mixing up cause and result
“The river flooded; as a result, planting was late.” The cause:
Wronglate planting
Rightthe flood
A contrast word where the parts agree
“She trained daily. ___, she won the race.”
WrongHowever
RightAs a result
5 questions at test level
Pick an answer, then read why. No timer, no account.
Passage: “Remote work saves commuting time. However, some workers report feeling cut off from their teams.” What point does the second sentence make?
Show the answer
B. “However” turns from the benefit to a downside: feeling cut off. Saving time is the part before the turn. The answer is Remote work can have a social drawback.
Choose the word that best fills the blank: “The bridge was old and narrow. ___, the city decided to replace it.”
Show the answer
B. Old and narrow is the reason; replacing it is the result. A result word fits: therefore. “However” would signal a contrast that is not there. The answer is Therefore.
Passage: “Even though the recipe looks complicated, it uses only five ingredients and takes twenty minutes.” The author’s point is that the recipe is…
Show the answer
B. “Even though” admits that it looks complicated, and the main clause wins: five ingredients, twenty minutes. The answer is Easier than it looks.
Passage: “Because the factory switched to solar panels, its electricity bill fell by a third.” According to the passage, why did the bill fall?
Show the answer
B. “Because” introduces the cause: the switch to solar panels. The answer is The factory switched to solar panels.
In the sentence “Many birds migrate south in winter; some, for example, travel thousands of miles,” the words “for example” introduce…
Show the answer
C. “For example” brings a specific case that supports the first idea about migration. It does not turn or start something new. The answer is An illustration of the first idea.
8 flashcards
Tap a card to flip it. Keep the ones you miss until they stick.
All 8 cards known.
You finished connectors and signal words.
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