worksheets library | Transitional Words Worksheets - Free Printable

Explanation:
We are given two narrative paragraphs and a list of transition words/phrases. The task is to choose at least one transition word or phrase from the box and use it to write a short narrative paragraph that logically connects the sentences. Then, underline or highlight the transition word(s) used.

Let’s look at the two paragraphs:

Paragraph 1:
Cecile ran quietly in the cold night air… she saw a gray wolf howling… the wolves were chasing her… her ancestors had tricked the moon… they formed a relationship with the wolves and mountains… Cecile ran to call the wolves.

Paragraph 2:
Li ran his racing hands down his throat… he was lightheaded… he looked down from the bridge… his friends shouted… he thought he’d be granted a real adventure… he was definitely having second thoughts… he knew everyone was watching him.

We need to connect these two scenes *logically* using a transition word. But note: the instructions say “Choose at least one transition word or phrase from the boxes… to write a short narrative paragraph that logically connects the sentences.” However, the two paragraphs seem unrelated (different characters, settings). So likely, the intention is to revise *each* paragraph by inserting appropriate transitions *within* them — not necessarily linking the two paragraphs together.

Looking again: The worksheet says “Use transition words or phrases from the boxes to fill in the blanks in the paragraphs.” But there are no blanks shown — instead, two full paragraphs are given, and then a prompt: “Choose at least one… to write a short narrative paragraph that logically connects the sentences.”

Wait — actually, re-reading carefully: The instruction says:
> Use transition words or phrases from the boxes to fill in the blanks in the paragraphs.

But the paragraphs provided have no visible blanks. That suggests the original worksheet had blanks (e.g., underlined spaces), but in this version, they’re filled in. However, the student is now asked to *rewrite* or *improve* the flow by inserting transitions — and specifically, to write a new short narrative paragraph using at least one transition word, and show which one(s) were used.

Given the context, the best interpretation is:
Take the ideas from both paragraphs (or one of them), and write a short connected narrative using at least one transition word from the list. Then underline that word.

Let’s pick a logical connection:
Maybe Cecile’s story leads into Li’s — for example, after Cecile calls the wolves, the scene shifts to Li on the bridge, and we use a transition like “Meanwhile,” or “Soon after,” or “Later that night,” — but those aren’t in the box.

Box options:
First of all, overhead, instantly, long ago, as a result, now, in the distance, rather
little by little, initially, eventually, simultaneously, quickly, meanwhile, but now, once

Valid transitions that could connect two events:
- Meanwhile — great for shifting to another character/time.
- Eventually — shows progression.
- Now — shifts to present action.
- As a result — cause-effect.
- Little by little / Slowly (but “slowly” not listed; “little by little” is).

Let’s construct a short paragraph combining elements or continuing one story, using at least one transition.

Example using Meanwhile:
> Cecile ran quietly in the cold night air, her senses aware of her surroundings. As the moon rose, she saw a gray wolf howling, casting shadows on the snowy landscape. Meanwhile, Li stood trembling on the bridge, his racing heart echoing the howl in the distance.

That uses “Meanwhile” to shift to the second character — and it’s in the box.

Alternatively, within Paragraph 2, we can improve flow:
> Li ran his racing hands down his throat, breathing heavily. Initially, he felt brave—after all, he’d sought adventure. But now, as he looked down from the bridge, his friends’ shouts faded, and fear took over.

Here we used Initially and But now — both in the box.

The instruction says “at least one”, so one is enough.

Since the task asks to “write a short narrative paragraph that logically connects the sentences”, and the two original paragraphs each contain multiple sentences that could be better linked, let’s improve Paragraph 2 with transitions:

Original Paragraph 2 (no transitions):
Li Ran his racing hands down his throat... He was lightheaded... He looked down... His friends shouted... He thought he’d be granted a real adventure... He was definitely having second thoughts... He knew everyone was watching him... He determined not to let his fear keep him from taking the plunge... He closed his eyes and tilted his body forward...

We can insert:
- Initially, he thought he’d be granted a real adventure.
- But now, he was definitely having second thoughts.
- Meanwhile, his friends shouted encouragement.
- Eventually, he closed his eyes and tilted his body forward.

Let’s write a clean short paragraph using two transitions (to be safe), and underline them:

> Initially, Li thought he’d be granted a real adventure when he climbed onto the bridge. But now, as he looked down, his hands raced down his throat and his breath grew shallow; he was definitely having second thoughts. Meanwhile, his friends shouted from below, urging him on. Eventually, he closed his eyes and tilted his body forward into the air.

We used: Initially, But now, Meanwhile, Eventually — all from the box.

But the task says “at least one”, so even one is acceptable. To keep it simple and correct, let’s submit a concise paragraph with one clearly underlined transition.

Final choice:
> Li ran his racing hands down his throat, breathing fast. Eventually, he looked down from the bridge and realized his friends had suggested bungee jumping only as a joke—but it was too late to back out.

“Eventually” is in the box, and it shows progression of time/action.

Yes — that works.

But wait: the instruction also says “underline or highlight the transition word or phrases you used.” So in the answer, we must underline it.

Since the output format only allows Final Answer at the end, and no markdown in Final Answer (per instruction: “Provide only the final correct answer”), we’ll write the paragraph with the word underlined using underscores (as plain-text underline substitute), or just state it clearly.

However, the user expects the *answer* — likely the completed paragraph with transition indicated.

Given all this, the safest correct response is to provide a short narrative paragraph using at least one transition from the list, with that word underlined (using underscores for underline in plain text).

Let me craft one:

Li stood at the edge of the bridge, heart pounding. Initially, he had agreed to jump for the thrill—but now, wind whistling past his ears, he hesitated. He knew everyone was watching, and though fear gripped him, he took a deep breath and leapt.

Used: Initially and but now — both valid. Let’s use just Initially to keep minimal.

But the problem says “at least one”, so one is fine.

I’ll go with:

Final Answer:
Li ran his racing hands down his throat, feeling lightheaded. _Initially_, he thought the jump would be a grand adventure; however, as he peered over the bridge, doubt crept in. He knew everyone was watching, and yet—determined not to back down—he closed his eyes and jumped.