Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one.
1The trial reduced transport costs by nearly a third; ............... the council should expand the scheme next year.
Wrong!
"therefore" is correct because the second clause gives the logical result of the evidence in the first clause.
2............... the limited budget, the research team still managed to collect reliable data.
Wrong!
"Despite" is correct because the sentence contrasts a disadvantage with a positive result.
3Seventy-two percent of respondents preferred flexible hours; ............... employers should rethink the traditional nine-to-five schedule.
Wrong!
"This suggests that" is correct because the writer is drawing an inference from the previous findings.
4Given the sharp rise in demand, ............... prices will continue to increase over the summer.
Wrong!
"it is likely that" is correct because the sentence makes a cautious prediction based on evidence, not a requirement.
5............... stricter regulation would slow innovation, but this objection ignores the cost of unsafe products.
Wrong!
"Critics argue that" is correct because the sentence introduces a counterargument before the writer responds to it.
6The policy could reduce youth unemployment, ............... training programmes are properly funded.
Wrong!
"provided that" is correct because the benefit depends on the training being properly funded.
7Several cities, ............... London and Amsterdam, have already limited cars in their centres.
Wrong!
"such as" is correct because it introduces examples of cities mentioned in the argument.
8A convincing argument should be based on long-term evidence ............... short-term publicity.
Wrong!
"rather than" is correct because the sentence contrasts the preferred basis for the argument with a weaker alternative.
9The proposal is expensive at first. ............... its long-term savings make it worth serious consideration.
Wrong!
"Nevertheless," is correct because the sentence concedes a weakness and then continues with the main argument despite it.
10The company must decarbonise its supply chain. ............... it needs to change how its products are made.
Wrong!
"In other words," is correct because the second sentence restates the first idea more simply.
11The recycling campaign has changed household behaviour; ............... a survey showing an 18 percent increase in correct waste sorting.
Wrong!
"This is supported by" is correct because the statistic strengthens the previous claim instead of opposing it.
12There is ............... evidence to justify such a strong conclusion at this stage.
Wrong!
"too little" is correct because the sentence says the claim is not yet justified.
Answers
- The trial reduced transport costs by nearly a third; therefore the council should expand the scheme next year.
- Despite the limited budget, the research team still managed to collect reliable data.
- Seventy-two percent of respondents preferred flexible hours; This suggests that employers should rethink the traditional nine-to-five schedule.
- Given the sharp rise in demand, it is likely that prices will continue to increase over the summer.
- Critics argue that stricter regulation would slow innovation, but this objection ignores the cost of unsafe products.
- The policy could reduce youth unemployment, provided that training programmes are properly funded.
- Several cities, such as London and Amsterdam, have already limited cars in their centres.
- A convincing argument should be based on long-term evidence rather than short-term publicity.
- The proposal is expensive at first. Nevertheless, its long-term savings make it worth serious consideration.
- The company must decarbonise its supply chain. In other words, it needs to change how its products are made.
- The recycling campaign has changed household behaviour; This is supported by a survey showing an 18 percent increase in correct waste sorting.
- There is too little evidence to justify such a strong conclusion at this stage.
