California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) English Practice Exam

What transition would you use to show that significant time has passed in a narrative essay?

1. Soon

2. Afterward

3. Next

4. Besides

The correct answer is: Afterward

Using "afterward" as a transition word effectively indicates that a significant period of time has elapsed in a narrative essay. This term implies that events or actions took place subsequent to a particular moment, signaling to the reader that the timeline has moved forward. It creates an understanding that there might be a noteworthy gap between the preceding events and those that follow, allowing for a more fluid progression of the narrative. In contrast, the other choices do not convey the same sense of time passing. "Soon" suggests an imminent occurrence rather than a significant interval. "Next" typically indicates a continuation or sequence of events that are closely related in time. "Besides" often introduces additional information rather than a temporal shift, which makes it less effective for indicating a passage of time. Thus, "afterward" is the most appropriate choice for demonstrating that considerable time has passed in the narrative.