The new battery held its charge for eleven hours in the laboratory; ______, it lasted only four hours in ordinary use.
Vocabulary and Grammar in Context · ELPAC Grades 9–10 reading. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.
Extra practice, not a separate task on the real test: a sentence with one word missing, testing the vocabulary and grammar the passages assume.
The question
Read the sentence. Choose the word that best completes it.
The new battery held its charge for eleven hours in the laboratory; ______, it lasted only four hours in ordinary use.
- therefore
- meanwhile
- howeverCorrect answer
Why “however” is correct
This tests transition words, which carry a great deal of meaning in academic writing. The two halves of the sentence report opposite outcomes for the same battery, so the connector has to signal contrast, and 'however' is the one that does. Have the student ask whether the second half agrees with the first, follows from it, or pushes against it.
Why the other answers are wrong
- therefore — 'Therefore' signals a result, but a shorter battery life does not follow from a longer one.
- meanwhile — 'Meanwhile' signals that two things happen at the same time, and these are two separate tests.
Practice more of this
More reading practice for Grades 9–10, or see the ELPAC practice test for grades 9–10. For other grades, see free ELPAC practice tests by grade.
This is an independent study resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the California Department of Education or the official ELPAC program. All questions here are original practice material written to match the published task formats.