Advanced Connectors: B2 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. ___ the delays, the project came in comfortably under budget. → Despite

Despite takes a noun phrase; the clause connectors would need a subject and a verb.

2. ___ the costs were higher than forecast, the board approved the second phase. → Although

Although introduces a full clause with its own subject and verb.

3. Sales rose sharply in Europe, ___ they fell by a fifth in Asia. → whereas

Whereas joins two clauses to set one against the other.

4. The sample was self-selecting. ___, the findings cannot be generalised. → Consequently

Consequently starts a new sentence and draws a formal conclusion from the last one.

5. The scheme is cost-neutral — ___, it pays for itself within a year. → in other words

In other words signals a reformulation of what was just said, not a new point.

6. The evidence is thin. ___, the conclusion may still be correct. → Nonetheless

Nonetheless concedes the previous sentence and then contradicts its implication.

7. Which sentence is INCORRECT? → Despite it was raining, we went ahead.

Despite cannot be followed by a clause unless the fact that is inserted first.

8. The building is listed. ___, no external alterations are permitted. → Hence

Hence draws a consequence in a formal register, like therefore or thus.

9. ___ being under thirty, she already chairs two committees. → Despite

Despite can be followed by an -ing form as well as by a noun.

10. Which connector belongs in a conversation rather than a report? → What's more

What's more is the informal counterpart of furthermore and moreover.

11. The proposal is expensive. ___, it addresses none of the original complaints. → Furthermore

Furthermore adds a second point in the same direction as the first.

12. The results were not merely poor; ___, they were the worst on record. → indeed

Indeed strengthens the preceding claim rather than qualifying it.

13. ___ the report acknowledges the risk, it proposes no mitigation whatsoever. → While

While takes a clause and here means although rather than at the same time.

14. The difference between 'despite' and 'although' is that ___. → despite takes a noun or -ing, although takes a clause

The two mean the same thing but attach to different kinds of grammar.

15. It rained for six days. ___, the festival was judged a success. → Even so

Even so concedes the previous sentence and then goes against it.

16. ___ all, the report fails to explain where the money went. → Above

Above all singles out the most important item in a list of criticisms.

17. The town has no station, no bus route and no taxi rank. ___, it is unreachable. → In short

In short summarises a list into a single conclusion.

18. Which sentence uses 'while' to mean 'at the same time as'? → While she was speaking, the lights went out.

Only the second uses while temporally; the others all mean although.

19. The line was engaged all morning; ___, nobody was answering emails either. → in addition

In addition adds a parallel fact rather than drawing a conclusion.

20. ___ of the criticism, the director declined to resign. → In spite

In spite is only correct when followed by of; despite never takes of.

Fill-in-the-blank questions — answers

1. ___ the heavy rain, the match went ahead as scheduled. → Despite

This connector is followed by a noun phrase rather than by a clause.

2. In ___ of the warnings, they set out without a map. → spite

This connector always takes of before the noun phrase that follows.

3. ___ the costs had doubled, the council approved the design. → Although

This connector introduces a full clause with a subject and a verb.

4. Output rose in the north, ___ it fell steadily in the south. → whereas

This connector sets two parallel clauses against each other.

5. The data were incomplete. ___, no firm conclusion is possible. → Consequently

This formal connector begins a new sentence and states a result.

6. The scheme costs nothing to run — in other ___, it funds itself. → words

This fixed phrase signals that a restatement is coming.

7. The evidence is circumstantial. ___, it is difficult to dismiss. → Nevertheless

This connector concedes the previous point and then pushes back against it.

8. ___ being the youngest on the panel, she chaired it with complete authority. → Despite

This connector can take an -ing form as well as a noun phrase.

9. The rent is high. ___, the location is unbeatable. → However

This connector introduces a contrasting sentence and is followed by a comma.

10. The bid was late and incomplete. ___, it was disqualified. → Therefore

This connector draws a straightforward consequence in a neutral register.

11. The report is long. ___, almost none of it addresses the original question. → Moreover

This formal connector adds a further point in the same direction.

12. It was not merely late; ___, it arrived after the decision had been taken. → indeed

This connector strengthens the preceding claim rather than qualifying it.

13. ___ I accept the figures, I question the way they were gathered. → While

This connector takes a clause and here carries a concessive meaning.

14. Above ___, the plan ignores the people who actually use the building. → all

This fixed phrase singles out the most important item on a list.

15. In ___, the proposal is unworkable in its present form. → short

This phrase compresses a list of points into one conclusion.

16. The lift is broken and the stairs are closed. ___ so, the office is open. → Even

This two-word connector concedes the previous sentence before contradicting it.

17. The soil is poor; ___, very little grows here without heavy fertiliser. → hence

This formal connector introduces a consequence, like thus or therefore.

18. The venue is small. In ___, the acoustics are appalling. → addition

This phrase adds a parallel criticism rather than a conclusion.

19. ___ though the deadline had passed, they accepted the submission. → Even

This word before though makes the concession more emphatic.

20. That ___ to say, nothing has actually been decided yet. → is

That is to say introduces a clarification of what has just been stated.

Sentence structure: word ordering — answers

1. Concede using a connector that takes a noun. → Despite the delays, the project finished early.

Concede using a connector that takes a noun.

2. Concede using a connector that takes a clause. → Although the costs rose, the board pressed on.

Concede using a connector that takes a clause.

3. Contrast two parallel facts. → Sales rose in Europe, whereas they fell in Asia.

Contrast two parallel facts.

4. Draw a formal conclusion. → The sample was small; consequently, the results are provisional.

Draw a formal conclusion.

5. Restate a point more plainly. → The scheme is cost-neutral; in other words, it pays for itself.

Restate a point more plainly.

6. Concede a point and then push back against it. → The evidence is thin. Nevertheless, the case went ahead.

Concede a point and then push back against it.

7. Use the three-word concessive connector. → In spite of the fog, the flight departed on time.

Use the three-word concessive connector.

8. Follow a concessive preposition with an -ing form. → Despite being exhausted, she finished the presentation.

Follow a concessive preposition with an -ing form.

9. Contrast across a sentence boundary. → The rent is high. However, the location is excellent.

Contrast across a sentence boundary.

10. State a consequence in a neutral register. → The bid was incomplete; therefore, it was rejected.

State a consequence in a neutral register.

11. Add a second criticism in a formal register. → The report is long. Moreover, it answers nothing.

Add a second criticism in a formal register.

12. Concede one thing and object to another. → While I accept the figures, I question the method.

Concede one thing and object to another.

13. Single out the most serious point. → Above all, the plan ignores the residents themselves.

Single out the most serious point.

14. Summarise a list into one verdict. → In short, the proposal cannot work as drafted.

Summarise a list into one verdict.

15. Concede a fact and then contradict what it implies. → It rained all week. Even so, attendance was high.

Concede a fact and then contradict what it implies.

16. Introduce a consequence in a formal register. → The soil is thin; hence the poor yields here.

Introduce a consequence in a formal register.

17. Add a parallel complaint. → The venue is cramped. In addition, the parking is dreadful.

Add a parallel complaint.

18. Make a concession more emphatic. → Even though she objected, the motion was carried.

Make a concession more emphatic.

19. Strengthen a claim you have just made. → The results were poor; indeed, they were unprecedented.

Strengthen a claim you have just made.

20. Clarify a statement with a formal reformulation. → Nothing is settled; that is to say, everything remains open.

Clarify a statement with a formal reformulation.