Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one. Some sentences have two correct answers. Choose both.
1The committee accepted the proposal, ............... it would stretch the budget this quarter.
Wrong!
"Even though" introduces a concession: the proposal was accepted despite the budget problem.
2............... the data are incomplete, the trend is too consistent to ignore.
Wrong!
"Granted that" accepts a limitation before making the main point.
3The plan looks risky; ..............., it may be our only realistic option.
Wrong!
"Nevertheless" contrasts the risk with the idea that the plan may still be necessary.
4............... his impressive CV, he struggled to explain his decisions under pressure.
Wrong!
"In spite of" means despite and is followed by a noun phrase.
5The new policy is unpopular; ..............., it has reduced waiting times significantly.
Wrong!
"However" introduces a contrast between the policy being unpopular and its positive result.
6............... I respect her expertise, I cannot endorse her conclusion without stronger evidence.
Wrong!
"While" can introduce a concessive contrast before the speaker disagrees.
7The CEO praised the team, ............... he privately questioned the strategy.
Wrong!
"Even as" shows that two contrasting things were happening at the same time.
8The product is expensive; ..............., customers keep buying it for the reliability.
Wrong!
"All the same" means that something is true despite the problem just mentioned.
9............... the delays, we delivered the report before the board meeting.
Wrong!
"Despite" introduces a problem that did not prevent the result.
10The argument is persuasive; ..............., it rests on an assumption we cannot verify.
Wrong!
"That said" concedes the first point and then adds an important limitation.
11............... the training was brief, the staff adapted remarkably quickly.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"Even though" and "Although" both introduce a concession before the surprising result.
12The forecast was gloomy; ..............., the company still expanded into two new markets.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"Nevertheless" and "nonetheless" both show that the company expanded despite the gloomy forecast.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- The committee accepted the proposal, even though it would stretch the budget this quarter.
- Granted that the data are incomplete, the trend is too consistent to ignore.
- The plan looks risky; nevertheless, it may be our only realistic option.
- In spite of his impressive CV, he struggled to explain his decisions under pressure.
- The new policy is unpopular; however, it has reduced waiting times significantly.
- While I respect her expertise, I cannot endorse her conclusion without stronger evidence.
- The CEO praised the team, even as he privately questioned the strategy.
- The product is expensive; all the same, customers keep buying it for the reliability.
- Despite the delays, we delivered the report before the board meeting.
- The argument is persuasive; that said, it rests on an assumption we cannot verify.
- Even though / Although the training was brief, the staff adapted remarkably quickly.
- The forecast was gloomy; nevertheless / nonetheless, the company still expanded into two new markets.
