Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one.
1............... the committee acknowledged several weaknesses in the proposal, it approved the pilot scheme for a limited six-month period.
Wrong!
"Although" is correct because it introduces a concessive clause with a subject and verb.
2The contract was renewed ............... repeated warnings from the legal department about unresolved liability issues.
Wrong!
"Despite" is correct because it is followed by a noun phrase.
3The new database is expensive to maintain; ..............., it has reduced processing errors by nearly forty percent.
Wrong!
"Nevertheless" is correct because it links two independent statements with a concessive meaning.
4The evidence remains incomplete; ..............., the inquiry has already changed how the agency records complaints.
Wrong!
"Even so" is correct because it refers back to the previous statement and introduces an unexpected contrast.
5............... several witnesses gave broadly consistent accounts, the judge treated their testimony with caution.
Wrong!
"Although" is correct because it begins a dependent concessive clause before the main clause.
6The museum attracted record numbers ............... charging higher admission fees during the renovation.
Wrong!
"Despite" is correct because it is followed by a gerund phrase.
7The initial figures were less encouraging than expected; ..............., the board agreed to continue funding the research.
Wrong!
"Nevertheless" is correct because it is a sentence adverb connecting two independent clauses.
8The software passed every automated test; ..............., the engineers decided to run a manual review before release.
Wrong!
"Even so" is correct because it stands alone as a concessive connector between complete clauses.
9The minister defended the policy ............... it had been criticised by economists across the political spectrum.
Wrong!
"Although" is correct because it is followed by a complete clause.
10The airline maintained its schedule ............... severe disruption at several major European airports.
Wrong!
"Despite" is correct because it introduces the noun phrase that follows.
11The proposal is unlikely to satisfy every stakeholder; ..............., it offers a realistic basis for negotiation.
Wrong!
"Nevertheless" is correct because it introduces a concessive contrast after a semicolon.
12The training session was optional; ..............., almost every member of the department attended.
Wrong!
"Even so" is correct because it refers back to the preceding clause and signals an unexpected result.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- Although the committee acknowledged several weaknesses in the proposal, it approved the pilot scheme for a limited six-month period.
- The contract was renewed despite repeated warnings from the legal department about unresolved liability issues.
- The new database is expensive to maintain; nevertheless, it has reduced processing errors by nearly forty percent.
- The evidence remains incomplete; even so, the inquiry has already changed how the agency records complaints.
- Although several witnesses gave broadly consistent accounts, the judge treated their testimony with caution.
- The museum attracted record numbers despite charging higher admission fees during the renovation.
- The initial figures were less encouraging than expected; nevertheless, the board agreed to continue funding the research.
- The software passed every automated test; even so, the engineers decided to run a manual review before release.
- The minister defended the policy although it had been criticised by economists across the political spectrum.
- The airline maintained its schedule despite severe disruption at several major European airports.
- The proposal is unlikely to satisfy every stakeholder; nevertheless, it offers a realistic basis for negotiation.
- The training session was optional; even so, almost every member of the department attended.
