Free RLA Language Arts Completing Sentences Questions and Answers

Question 1

What transition word or phrase best fits the blank below?

______________ some pundits believe global warming is a hoax, nearly all scientific experts agree that climate change is a very real and exigent threat.

Accepted Answer

Although

Answer

Explanation:
The correct relationship between the two parts of these sentences is one of contrast. "Because" and "Seeing that" imply causation (i.e. pundits' disbelief leads to experts' agreement), which is not logical. "Not to mention" implies agreement or similarity." "Meanwhile" correctly implies a sort of contrast, but it does not fit the grammatical construction of the sentence.

Question 2

What transition word or phrase best fits the blank below?

Many marriage counselors suggest that open communication ________________ an active acceptance of imperfection leads to a healthy, vital partnership.

Accepted Answer

in addition to

Answer

Explanation:
The relationship between "open communication" and "an active acceptance of imperfection" is one of agreement, so "in addition to" is the best choice. "In light of" incorrectly implies that "open communication" is subordinate to "active acceptance," and "in spite of" incorrectly implies contrast. "After all" and "especially" are both transitional phrases, but neither fits the grammatical construction of the sentence.

Question 3

What transition word or phrase best fits the blank below?

Other relationship experts counsel that having high standards, _________________ accepting poor behavior, is the secret to a long and happy marriage.

Accepted Answer

not

Answer

Explanation:
"Having high standards" and "accepting poor behavior" are directly opposed ideas, so we need a contrasting transition: "not."
"While also" suggests that the two ideas should coexist at the same time, but that is not logical in the context of the sentence.
"As well as" and "moreover" incorrectly suggest addition. "Indeed" suggests emphasis and is both semantically and syntactically wrong.

Question 4

What transition word or phrase best fits the blank below?

The corporate stalemate is being caused by greedy managers and recalcitrant employees alike; __________________, it is critical for both groups to work together.

Accepted Answer

as such

Answer

Explanation:
Based on the content of this sentence, we need a transition that expresses a sentiment like "For this reason" or "therefore." In other words, we need a conclusion word or phrase. "As such" is the only choice among these answers that provides the conclusion.

Question 5

What transition word or phrase best fits the blank below?

Meredith wasn’t sure whether her physician had ordered the correct tests, ________________ she had a sneaking suspicion that she should consult a specialist instead.

Accepted Answer

but

Answer

Explanation:
Meredith's uncertainty is being contrasted with her sneaking suspicion here, so a contrasting word or phrase will be necessary to properly express the meaning of the sentence. (The appearance of "instead" in the sentence is a further hint that we're looking for a contrast word.) "In spite of" and "whereas" are contrast phrases, but they're the wrong part of speech for the sentence. "But" is the best choice here.

RLA - Reasoning through Language Arts Practice Test

RLA - Reasoning through Language Arts Practice Test

Free RLA Language Arts Completing Sentences Questions and Answers