tserna.comtserna.pngCONNECTORS: CONTRASTING AND OPPOSING IDEAS

Gap-fill exercise

Fill in all the gaps, then press "Check" to check your answers. Use the "Hint" button to get a free letter if an answer is giving you trouble. You can also click on the "[?]" button to get a clue. Note that you will lose points if you ask for hints or clues!
CONNECTORS: CONTRASTING OR OPPOSING IDEAS
Connectors are used to show relationships between ideas. The connectors (the words in bold) introduce a contrast or an opposing idea.
BUT, YET: The connectors but and yet have the same meaning. They are followed by an adjective, noun phrase or a sentence.
EXAMPLES: The book is short but/yet interesting.
The story is short but/yet interesting.
IN SPITE OF, DESPITE: The connectors in spite of and despite have the same meaning. They are followed by a noun phrase (often including gerunds)
EXAMPLES: In spite of/despite the cold weather, she didn’t take a coat.
She didn’t pass the test in spite of/despite studying hard.
ALTHOUGH, THOUGH, EVEN THOUGH, IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT: These connectors have the same meaning. They are followed by a sentence (subject and verb)
EXAMPLES: She didn’t take a coat although/though/even though/in spite of the fact that it was cold.
WHILE, WHEREAS: They have the same meaning and are followed by a sentence.
EXAMPLES: This restaurant has a good reputation, while/whereas that one does not.
HOWEVER, NEVERTHELESS, EVEN SO, ON THE ONE HAND,ON THE OTHER HAND, ON THE CONTRARY: These connectors are followed first by a comma and then by a complete sentence.
EXAMPLES: He was very rude. However/Nevertheless/Even so , we forgave him.
On the one hand, the city is fun. On the other hand, it’s very noisy.
I thought you liked Italian food. On the contrary, I hate it.








EXERCISES
Fill in the blanks with a suitable connector:
1. Bill was ill, he continued to smoke.
2. she locked the door, the robbers broke into the house.
3. your apology, I don’t want to go out with you any more.
4. Alex has a bad temper, he still has many friends.
5. her diet, Laura didn’t lose weight.
6. The speed limit on the motorway is 90 km. an hour. , people are often caught speeding.
7. Mar still hasn’t found a job she’s been to many interviews.
8. her roller-blading accident, Ingrid isn’t afraid to roller-blade.
9. Some people enjoy being alone, others prefer to be surrounded by people.
10. We travelled to America for a holiday, our neighbours went to China.
11. The chairs are standard size, the table is too high.
12. He’s so skinny. , he’s got a huge appetite.
13. My dad loves jazz, my mother can’t stand it.
14. , I love spicy foods. , spicy foods give me indigestion.
15. Your life is so fascinating. , I find my life quite boring.
16. I love my flat because it has large rooms. , the neighbours are very noisy.