EDUCATION

Transitional words, called also linking words or signal words, are of huge importance for building your written and spoken responses at TOEFL iBT Exam. As the name suggests these words help you to move from one idea to another in a smooth and coherent way. They also signal the reader or listener what will follow after the transitional word. That is why transitional word will be helpful not only to do better in your TOEFL iBT Speaking and TOEFL iBT Writing but also to better comprehend the information presented in the TOEFL iBT Reading and TOEFL iBT Listening sections. The use of transitional words is not only limited to the Test of English as Foreign LanguageTOEFL: but also to any other English tests, like IELTS International English Language Testing System, FCE: First Certificate in English, CAE :Certificate in Advanced English, CPE :Certificate of Proficiency in English, etc.
In this document we provide a list of some transitional words and their usage within the text. We do not claim that this is the complete list of transitional words, but we may state that it covers the most common transitional words. Studying this list will greatly improve the organization of your responses and thus enhance your chances of better result at TOEFL® iBT Exam.
Transitional Words Grouped according to their Purpose

To add extra information

and
also
additionally
alternatively
and then
apart from
as well
as well as
besides
besides that
coupled with
equally important
finally
first, second, third, and etc
following this further
further
furthermore
indeed
in addition (to)
in fact
last, lastly
last but not least
likewise
moreover
not only …, but also…
not to mention
or
then, too
too
what is more

Example: Likewise the speaking section, the TOEFL® iBT writing papers are sent to the ETS's Online Scoring Network where they are scored by certified raters.
To give examples

for example
as an example
chiefly
for instance
especially
illustrated with
in this case
in another case
in particular
in this situation
including
markedly
namely
notably
on this occasion
particularly
in particular
specifically
such as
take the case of
to demonstrate
to illustrate
as an illustration

Example: Most of English Language Exams are divided into separate parts that test different language components. For example, TOEFL iBT has four sections – Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. Some other exams, including Cambridge FCE, CAE and CPE include Use of English or Grammar in their formats.
To clarify the information you have presented

above all
I mean
in other words
in this case
that is to say
to put it in another way
under certain circumstances
up to a point
what I mean is

Example: To put it in another way, five are the components that you should pay attention where preparing for any English Language Test – Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing, Use of English or Grammar.
To present consequence

accordingly
as a result
consequently
for this reason
for this purpose
hence
in that case
otherwise
so then
subsequently
therefore
thus
thereupon
under those circumstances
wherefore

Example: As a result, most ESL :English as a Second Language books and training programs are organized around this kind of division and closely follow this format.
Once again, using transitional words and phrases help you write or speak organize your thoughts in more logical and understandable way. Transitional words clarify the conjunctions and transitions between ideas and thoughts and thus facilitate the reader or listener’s comprehension. From that perspective, the right usage of transitional words will pay back with a better score on your TOEF iBT Exam.