Linking Words: B1 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. ___ it was raining heavily, the match went ahead. → Although

Although is a conjunction and can be followed by a full clause with a subject and verb.

2. ___ the heavy rain, the match went ahead. → Despite

Despite is a preposition and takes a noun phrase, not a clause.

3. The trains were cancelled. ___, we drove instead. → Therefore

Therefore is an adverb linking two separate sentences to show a result.

4. Which sentence is punctuated correctly? → It was late. However, we carried on.

However is an adverb, so it needs a full stop or semicolon before it and a comma after.

5. We cancelled the trip ___ the cost. → because of

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

6. He kept working ___ he was exhausted. → even though

Even though is a conjunction and introduces the clause he was exhausted.

7. ___ finishing her degree, she moved to Berlin. → After

After can act as a preposition and be followed by an -ing form; the others cannot.

8. She is excellent at maths, ___ her brother struggles with it. → whereas

Whereas is a conjunction used specifically to draw a direct contrast between two facts.

9. The road was closed, ___ we had to turn back. → so

So introduces a result and joins the two clauses with a comma before it.

10. ___ he had never flown before, he showed no nerves at all. → Although

Only a conjunction can introduce a clause with a subject and a finite verb.

11. I will call you ___ I arrive at the hotel. → as soon as

As soon as is a time conjunction and takes a present-tense clause for future meaning.

12. What follows 'in spite of'? → A noun or an -ing form

In spite of is a preposition, so it must be followed by a noun phrase or a gerund.

13. The scheme failed ___ a lack of funding. → due to

Due to functions as a preposition and introduces the noun phrase naming the cause.

14. ___ some delays, the project finished on budget. → Despite

Despite takes the noun phrase some delays without needing a verb.

15. Which connector shows result? → consequently

Consequently is a formal adverb of result, close in meaning to therefore.

16. He was offered the job ___ his lack of experience. → in spite of

His lack of experience is a noun phrase, so a preposition is required.

17. ___ the meeting was going on, the builders started drilling. → While

While is a conjunction and takes a clause; during is a preposition and would need a noun.

18. Which sentence is wrong? → Because of it was cold, we stayed in.

Because of cannot be followed by a clause — that is what plain because is for.

19. The flight was delayed. ___, nobody complained. → Nevertheless

Nevertheless is a contrast adverb linking two separate sentences.

20. We took a taxi ___ save time. → in order to

In order to plus a base verb expresses purpose; for would need a noun.

Fill-in-the-blank questions — answers

1. ___ the weather was awful, we enjoyed the walk. → Although

A conjunction is needed because a full clause follows.

2. ___ the awful weather, we enjoyed the walk enormously. → Despite

A preposition is needed because a noun phrase follows.

3. The shop closed early. ___, we bought nothing. → Therefore

An adverb of result links two separate sentences.

4. We stayed at home ___ of the storm warning. → because

Because of introduces the noun phrase naming the reason.

5. She passed the exam ___ she had barely revised. → although

A contrast conjunction joins the two clauses inside one sentence.

6. ___ arriving late, he still gave an excellent talk. → Despite

A preposition takes the -ing form arriving.

7. I like classical music, ___ my flatmate prefers jazz. → whereas

Whereas draws a direct contrast between two facts.

8. The bridge was closed, ___ we had to take the ferry. → so

So introduces a result within a single sentence.

9. Please call me ___ soon as you land. → as

As soon as is a fixed time conjunction taking a present-tense clause.

10. The event was cancelled ___ to a lack of interest. → due

Due to and owing to are prepositions introducing a cause.

11. ___ the negotiations continued, the workers stayed on strike. → While

While is a time conjunction and takes a full clause.

12. It rained all week. ___, the festival was a success. → Nevertheless

A contrast adverb needs a full stop before it and a comma after.

13. We left early ___ order to avoid the traffic. → in

In order to plus a base verb expresses purpose.

14. He was promoted ___ spite of his short time at the firm. → in

In spite of is a three-word preposition followed by a noun phrase.

15. The talk was cancelled ___ the speaker fell ill. → because

A reason conjunction introduces the clause explaining the cancellation.

16. ___ she had studied law, she never practised it. → Although

A concession conjunction introduces the unexpected background.

17. The roads were icy; ___, several flights were cancelled. → moreover

An adverb of addition after a semicolon adds a further point.

18. ___ finishing the report, she went straight to bed. → After

After acts as a preposition here and takes the -ing form.

19. The scheme was popular, ___ expensive to run. → but

A short contrast conjunction joins two adjectives describing the scheme.

20. We booked early ___ that we could choose our seats. → so

So that plus a clause expresses purpose, unlike so alone which expresses result.

Sentence structure: word ordering — answers

1. Join two clauses with a contrast conjunction. → Although it was cold, we walked home.

Join two clauses with a contrast conjunction.

2. Use a preposition with a noun phrase. → Despite the cold, we walked all the way home.

Use a preposition with a noun phrase.

3. Show a result inside one sentence. → The shop was shut, so we went elsewhere.

Show a result inside one sentence.

4. Give a reason with a noun phrase. → We cancelled because of the heavy snow.

Give a reason with a noun phrase.

5. Emphasise an unexpected outcome. → He failed the test even though he revised.

Emphasise an unexpected outcome.

6. Draw a direct contrast between two people. → She likes tea, whereas her husband drinks coffee.

Draw a direct contrast between two people.

7. Promise contact at a future moment. → I will ring you as soon as I arrive.

Promise contact at a future moment.

8. State a cause with a preposition. → The flight was delayed due to fog.

State a cause with a preposition.

9. Express a purpose. → We left early in order to avoid queues.

Express a purpose.

10. Describe two simultaneous past actions. → While I was cooking, he laid the table.

Describe two simultaneous past actions.

11. Use the three-word preposition. → In spite of the delays, we arrived on time.

Use the three-word preposition.

12. Link two sentences with a result adverb. → He studied hard; therefore, he passed easily.

Link two sentences with a result adverb.

13. Open with a preposition and an -ing verb. → After checking the figures, she signed the form.

Open with a preposition and an -ing verb.

14. Contrast two qualities in one sentence. → The hotel was cheap, but surprisingly comfortable.

Contrast two qualities in one sentence.

15. Express purpose with a clause. → We booked so that we could sit together.

Express purpose with a clause.

16. Give a reason using since. → Since you are here, you may as well help.

Give a reason using since.

17. Contrast across two separate sentences. → It rained all day. Nevertheless, the fair opened.

Contrast across two separate sentences.

18. Join two positives with a paired connector. → Both the food and the service were excellent.

Join two positives with a paired connector.

19. Join two negatives with a paired connector. → He neither apologised nor offered an explanation.

Join two negatives with a paired connector.

20. Open a sentence by adding a further point. → Moreover, the cost had risen by a third.

Open a sentence by adding a further point.