English Skills with Readings 8th Edition by John Langan

Exercise 16

Fill in each blank with the appropriate time transition from the list that follows. Use each transition once.
then next before first after
I do not like to write. In fact, I dislike writing so much that I have developed a series of steps for postponing the agony of doing writing assignments. ______ I tell myself that to proceed without the proper equipment would be unwise. So I go out to buy a new pen, and this kills at least an hour.______ , I begin to stare at the blank page. ______ long, however, I realize that writing may also require thought, so I begin to think deeply about my subject. Soon I feel drowsy. This naturally leads to the conclusion that I need a nap because I can't throw myself into my writing until I am at my very best. a refreshing nap, I again face the blank page. It is usually at this stage that I actually write a sen­tence or two-disappointing ones. I ______ wisely decide that I need inspiration, perhaps from an interesting magazine or my new XBox game. If I feel a bit guilty, I comfort myself with the knowledge that, as any artist knows, you can't rush these things.