Subordination

Multiple-choice exercise

ELT Concourse: learners' index
Choose the correct answer for each question.

  1. Why is this sentence wrong?
    Although she was unhappy so she left.
    1.   We can only have one subordinator in this sentence
    2.   The first word should be 'because'
    3.   The second subordinator should be 'because'
  2. Why doesn't this make sense?
    He left because was angry.
    1.   We need 'so' not 'because'
    2.   We cannot leave out the subject in subordinate clauses
    3.   We need to reverse the clauses
  3. Which sentence means the same?
    I work late while the days are long.
    1.   I work late as soon as the days are long
    2.   I work late because the days are long
    3.   I work late when the days are long
  4. Why is this sentence wrong?
    Unless you don't understand, I'll explain it again.
    1.   We need 'if' in the middle to connect the ideas
    2.   The order of the clauses is wrong
    3.   The word 'unless' means something like 'if not'
  5. What does 'seeing that' mean in this sentence?
    Seeing that you are broke, I'll pay for the dinner.
    1.   so
    2.   in order that
    3.   because
  6. How is 'so that' being used in this sentence?
    He painted it brown so that it matched the door.
    1.   To tell us about the cause of his action
    2.   To tell us about the ordering of his actions
    3.   To tell us about the purpose of his action
  7. Why is this sentence wrong?
    She went shopping she took the train home after.
    1.   The last word should be 'afterwards'
    2.   We need 'and' to connect the clauses
    3.   The subordinator must move with its clause
  8. Which statement is true about this sentence?
    She came to the party although she was tired and had a headache.
    1.   There is one main clause and one subordinate clause
    2.   There is one main clause and two subordinate clauses
    3.   There are two main clauses and one subordinate clause
  9. Which sentence means the same?
    As the holiday is expensive, we'll borrow some money.
    1.   In case the holiday is expensive, we'll borrow some money.
    2.   If the holiday is expensive, we'll borrow some money
    3.   Because the holiday is expensive, we'll borrow some money
  10. Which sentence means the same?
    You can come on condition that you don't say anything silly.
    1.   You can come considering you don't say anything silly
    2.   You can come unless you don't say anything silly
    3.   You can come providing that you don't say anything silly