Subordination

Multiple-choice exercise

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

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