Conjunctions: A1 Exercises

Every answer with the reason behind it. Read the explanation for the ones you got right as well — that is where you find out whether you were right for the right reason.

Multiple choice questions — answers

1. I have a brother ___ a sister. → and

And adds a second item of the same kind.

2. The flat is small ___ very comfortable. → but

But joins two ideas that pull in different directions.

3. Would you like tea ___ coffee? → or

Or offers a choice between two alternatives.

4. I'm tired ___ I worked until midnight. → because

Because introduces the reason, and it answers the question why.

5. It was raining, ___ we stayed at home. → so

So introduces the result, which is the opposite direction to because.

6. He doesn't eat meat ___ fish. → or

After a negative, or is what covers both items clearly.

7. Which sentence is correct? → I'm late because I missed the bus.

Because is followed by a clause with a verb; because of is followed by a noun.

8. We were late ___ the traffic. → because of

The traffic is a noun with no verb, so it needs because of.

9. She studied hard, ___ she passed the exam easily. → so

So introduces the result of studying hard.

10. I'd love to come, ___ I'm working on Saturday. → but

But introduces the contrast that turns an acceptance into a polite refusal.

11. Hurry up, ___ we'll miss the train. → or

Or after an imperative introduces the consequence of not doing it.

12. Which sentence is correct? → Because it was cold, we stayed in.

Because and so express the same relationship, so using both in one sentence is a double connector.

13. I bought bread, cheese ___ two bottles of water. → and

In a list, and appears only before the final item.

14. She can't come ___ she is ill. → because

Because introduces the reason for not coming.

15. The film was long ___ really interesting. → but

But joins two qualities that a listener might not expect together.

16. Which sentence uses "or" correctly? → I don't like tea or coffee.

After a negative, or reaches both items; and leaves the sentence ambiguous.

17. It was snowing heavily, ___ the airport closed. → so

So introduces the consequence of the snow.

18. We can walk ___ take a taxi — it's your choice. → or

Or presents two alternatives.

19. Which connector answers the question "why"? → because

Because gives the reason, which is exactly what why asks for.

20. He speaks Spanish ___ Portuguese, but not French. → and

And adds a second language to the positive part of the sentence.

Fill-in-the-blank questions — answers

1. I live in Lisbon ___ I work for a bank. → and

And joins two pieces of information of equal weight.

2. The hotel was expensive ___ the location was perfect. → but

But joins two ideas that pull in different directions.

3. Shall we walk ___ take the bus? → or

Or offers a choice between two alternatives.

4. I'm exhausted ___ I hardly slept last night. → because

Because introduces the reason and is followed by a clause with a verb.

5. The shop was closed, ___ we went home. → so

So introduces the result of finding the shop closed.

6. She doesn't drink tea ___ coffee. → or

After a negative, or is what reaches both items clearly.

7. We arrived late ___ of the heavy traffic. → because

Because of is followed by a noun phrase with no verb.

8. He studied all weekend, ___ he passed the test. → so

So gives the consequence of studying.

9. I'd love to help, ___ I'm busy all day tomorrow. → but

But introduces the contrast that softens a refusal.

10. Take an umbrella, ___ you'll get soaked. → or

Or after an imperative introduces the consequence of ignoring it.

11. I bought apples, pears ___ a kilo of oranges. → and

In a list, and appears only before the final item.

12. She can't drive ___ she has never taken lessons. → because

Because introduces the reason, followed by a full clause.

13. The journey was long ___ surprisingly comfortable. → but

But joins two qualities a listener might not expect together.

14. It started raining, ___ the match was cancelled. → so

So gives the result of the rain.

15. Do you want to eat now ___ later? → or

Or presents two possible times.

16. He speaks Greek ___ Turkish, but no Italian. → and

And adds a second language to the positive half of the sentence.

17. We stayed indoors ___ of the storm. → because

Because of takes a noun; plain because would need a verb after it.

18. I don't eat sugar ___ salt if I can avoid it. → or

A negative sentence takes or so that the negative reaches both items.

19. My flat is small ___ it is very light. → but

But contrasts the disadvantage with the advantage.

20. The train was cancelled, ___ we had to take a taxi. → so

So introduces what happened as a result.

Sentence structure: word ordering — answers

1. Describe your siblings, joining two items. → I have a brother and a sister.

Describe your siblings, joining two items.

2. Describe a home with a contrast. → The flat is small but very bright.

Describe a home with a contrast.

3. Offer a guest a choice of drink. → Would you like tea or coffee?

Offer a guest a choice of drink.

4. Explain the reason for your condition. → I'm tired because I worked late.

Explain the reason for your condition.

5. Describe a result of the weather. → It was raining, so we stayed at home.

Describe a result of the weather.

6. Describe a woman's drinking habits after a negative word. → She never drinks tea or coffee.

Describe a woman's drinking habits after a negative word.

7. Explain a delay, using a noun after the connector. → We were late because of the traffic.

Explain a delay, using a noun after the connector.

8. Describe the result of somebody's effort. → She studied hard, so she passed.

Describe the result of somebody's effort.

9. Refuse an invitation politely. → I'd love to come, but I'm working.

Refuse an invitation politely.

10. Warn somebody about the result of being slow. → Hurry up, or we will miss the train.

Warn somebody about the result of being slow.

11. List three purchases. → I bought bread, cheese and milk.

List three purchases.

12. Explain why a woman is absent. → She can't come because she is ill.

Explain why a woman is absent.

13. Give a mixed verdict on a screening. → The film was long but really good.

Give a mixed verdict on a screening.

14. Offer two ways of travelling. → We can walk or take a taxi.

Offer two ways of travelling.

15. Describe a consequence of the weather. → It snowed heavily, so the airport closed.

Describe a consequence of the weather.

16. List a man's languages. → He speaks Greek and a little Turkish.

List a man's languages.

17. Balance a disadvantage with an advantage. → My flat is small but very cheap.

Balance a disadvantage with an advantage.

18. Explain why you did not go out, using a noun. → I stayed in because of the storm.

Explain why you did not go out, using a noun.

19. Offer a choice of times for a meal. → Do you want to eat now or later?

Offer a choice of times for a meal.

20. Describe what you did as a result of a problem. → The train was cancelled, so we walked.

Describe what you did as a result of a problem.