SET 1

CONJUNCTIONS AND LINKING WORDS

You are likely to be tested on your knowledge of conjunctions and linking words in
Parts 1, 2 and 4 of Paper 1 Reading and Use of English. Here are some common
conjunctions and linking words/expressions you should know how to use:

Contrast
Although....., .....
....., although .....
However, .....
......, however, .....
Even though ....., .....
....., even though .....
Despite (the fact that) ....., .....
....., despite (the fact that) .....
In spite of (the fact that)....., .....
....., in spite of (the fact that) .....
In contrast to ....., .....
In contrast, .....
Nevertheless, .....
On the contrary, .....

Cause and Effect

As/Because/Since ....., .....
..... as/because/since .....
On account of/Owing to ....., .....
....., on account of/owing to .....
On account of/Owing to the fact that ....., .....
....., on account of/owing to the fact that .....
Consequently/So/Therefore .....
..... and consequently/so/therefore .....
..... so/such ..... that .....

Conjunctions and Linking words >> Part 1: Multiple Choice Cloze

Reminder: Part 1 consists of a short text which has 8 gaps. For each gap you have
to select the missing word from a choice of four (A, B, C or D).

Example:
He had always wanted to take up exercise ..... had never really done anything about
it.
(A) yet (B) so (C) still (D) while
Answer: 'yet'

Conjunctions and Linking words >> Part 2: Open Cloze

Reminder: Part 2 consists of a short text which has 8 gaps. For each gap, you have
to add the missing word.

Example:
Many people believe the economy is in decline. On the ....., it is in fact stronger than
ever.
However, nevertheless, on the other hand.

Answer: 'contrary'

Conjunctions and Linking words >> Part 4: Key Word Transformation

Reminder: You are given a complete sentence followed by a second, incomplete
sentence. You have to complete the second sentence so that it has the same
meaning as the first using a word given that must not be changed.

Example:
Although he'd never studied English before, he learnt the basics very quickly.
DESPITE
He learnt the basics of English quite quickly .......... learnt it before.
despite/ in spite of + -ing / noun / the fact that

Answer: 'despite never having'

QUIZ 1

Read the text and then select the correct answer, A, B, C or D. There are SIX
questions in all.

1) He arrived late for the interview ........ heavy traffic.

A. ? through
B. ? because
C. ? since
D. ? because of / DUE TO / OWING TO + NOUN
2) This year's exam results have been excellent ........ contrast to last year.
A. ? in
B. ? on
C. ? with
D. ? at
3) She decided to go to the party ........ feeling rather tired.
 A. ? however
B. ? even
C. ? despite / IN SPITE OF
D. ? yet
4) The house needed a lot of work doing to it. ........ the other hand, it was very
competitively priced.
A. ? On
B. ? At
C. ? In
D. ? To
5) I found the exam quite difficult. ........ I think I've done enough to pass.
A. ? Although
B. ? Nevetheless/ HOWEVER
C. ? Despite
D. ? Since
6) He lost the match mainly ........ he lacked stamina.
A. ? in contrast to
B. ? despite
C. ? because/ AS/ SINCE
D. Because of

QUIZ 2

Complete the following sentences with one word only. There are SIX questions
in all.

1) Many years ago computers were expected to get bigger and bigger. On the
........, they have in fact become increasingly smaller in size as they get more
powerful.

2) I've managed to save up enough money to get that new car ........ though it
has meant not spending anything on myself for the past year!

3) ........ the Manager has spent most of the month away on business he
nevertheless keeps in regular contact with the office.

4) Pollution in the city centre has been increasing. ........ a result the
government are planning to introduce radical new transport policies.
 5) The match was postponed on ........ of the bad weather.

6) Amy wasn't keen on sports, ........ contrast to her sister, who enjoyed
playing football and playing tennis.

QUIZ 3

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first
sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You
must use between two and five words, including the word given. There
are SIX questions in all.

1) He applied for a job as a window cleaner even though he was scared of

heights.
DESPITE
He applied for a window cleaner's job ........................................ he was
scared of heights.

2) The company are making 100 workers redundant due to a drop in sales.
RESULT
100 workers are to be made redundant ........................................ a drop in
sales.

3) They arranged their holiday for July as they were getting married that
month.
OWING
They arranged their holiday in July ........................................ they were getting
married that month.

4) This week has been really wet whereas last week we were sunbathing on
the beach.
CONTRAST
It's been really wet this week ........................................ last week when we
were sunbathing on the beach.
5) The game was called off because the weather was so bad.
ACCOUNT
The game was called off ........................................ bad weather.

6) I thought the team would win but the opposite was true and they were
actually beaten very easily.
CONTRARY
I thought the team would win but ........................................ they were beaten
easily.