Intermediate clauses. 45 questions on noun clauses, adjective clauses, and adverb clauses.
What this test covers
- Noun Clauses
- Adjective Clauses
- Adverb Clauses
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All 45 questions with answers
Pick an answer for each question to see if you are right, with the explanation. Submit when you are done; you can submit before answering them all.
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Q1___ surprised everyone at the meeting.
Answer: D. What he said
"What he said" is a noun clause acting as the subject of the sentence. In this context, "what" means "the thing that," representing the content of his statement. "Which he said" would require a specific group of options mentioned previously. "That he said" is incomplete without an object (e.g., "That he said it surprised everyone"), and "Why he said" would focus on his motives rather than the actual words that caused the surprise.
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Q2I really don't know ___.
Answer: D. why she left
This is an indirect question, which functions as a noun clause. In noun clauses, we use statement word order (subject + verb) rather than question word order (auxiliary + subject). Therefore, "why she left" is correct. Both "why did she leave" and "what did she leave" incorrectly use the auxiliary "did" before the subject. "That did she leave" is ungrammatical because "that" does not introduce an indirect question.
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Q3Identify the type of clause: [That he arrived early] was a surprise.
Answer: C. Noun clause
The clause "[That he arrived early]" functions as the subject of the main verb "was." Because it occupies a position normally held by a noun (the subject), it is a noun clause. Adjective clauses modify nouns, and adverb clauses modify verbs or whole sentences by providing context like time or reason.
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Q4Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Answer: C. I wonder what he wants.
After the verb "wonder," we use a noun clause. These clauses must use statement word order (subject + verb). "I wonder what he wants" follows this rule. "I wonder what does he want" incorrectly uses question word order. "I wonder which he wants it" is redundant because it includes both the relative pronoun "which" and the object "it."
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Q5Which of the following is the correct version of this sentence? The problem is what does he not understand the rules.
Answer: C. The problem is that he doesn't understand the rules.
To explain a fact or a problem, we use a noun clause starting with "that." Like all noun clauses, it must follow statement word order. "The problem is that he doesn't understand the rules" is the only option that is grammatically complete and uses the correct conjunction "that" to introduce the explanation of the problem.
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Q6The fact ___ she resigned was shocking.
Answer: D. that
The noun "fact" is frequently followed by a "that-clause" to explain the content of that fact. This is a noun clause in apposition to "the fact." "Which" is used for adjective clauses to describe the noun rather than define it. "What" and "whether" do not fit the structure of defining a specific, known fact.
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Q7Could you tell me ___ the train arrives?
Answer: D. when
This sentence asks for a specific piece of information regarding time. The noun clause "when the train arrives" functions as the direct object of the verb "tell." "When" is the logical choice to inquire about a schedule. While "why" is grammatically possible, it asks for a reason, which is less likely in this context.
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Q8Identify the type of clause: She asked [if we were ready].
Answer: C. Noun clause
The clause "[if we were ready]" acts as the direct object of the verb "asked." It answers the question "Asked what?" Because it functions as an object—a role typically played by a noun—it is classified as a noun clause. This is a type of indirect "yes/no" question.
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Q9It depends on ___ you want to stay or leave.
Answer: C. whether
After a preposition (on), a noun clause must use 'whether,' not 'if.' The phrase 'stay or leave' makes the two alternatives explicit, confirming that 'whether' (introducing a binary choice) is the only correct answer.
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Q10I still can't figure out ___ went wrong with the project.
Answer: B. what
'What' functions as the subject of the noun clause, meaning 'the thing that.' In this sentence, 'what went wrong' acts as the object of 'figure out.' The pronouns 'why' and 'how' cannot function directly as subjects here — they need their own noun subject (e.g., 'why it went wrong'). 'That' would require a specific, previously named event to refer back to, but none has been mentioned.
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Q11___ is still a mystery to the board.
Answer: D. How he solved the problem
This noun clause is the subject of the sentence. Noun clauses must use statement word order (subject + verb). "How he solved the problem" follows this rule. Both "How did he solve" and "That did he solve" incorrectly use question word order with the auxiliary "did."
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Q12Identify the type of clause: I know [what you did].
Answer: D. Noun clause
The clause "[what you did]" is the direct object of the verb "know." Since it functions as an object, which is a role reserved for nouns, it is a noun clause. It answers the question "What do I know?"
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Q13Please explain ___ you chose this color.
Answer: B. why
The verb "explain" is usually followed by a reason. "Why" is the correct interrogative word to introduce a noun clause that explains a reason. "That" would state a fact rather than an explanation, and "which" or "what" would require different grammatical structures.
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Q14We discussed ___ we should go to the party.
Answer: B. whether
The verb "discuss" is typically followed by "whether" to introduce alternatives (to go or not to go). In formal grammar, "if" is not used after "discuss." "What" would need an object (e.g., "what to bring"), and "that" is for stating facts, whereas "discuss" implies weighing options.
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Q15Which of the following is the correct version of this sentence? My concern is how can we finish on time.
Answer: A. My concern is how we can finish on time.
When an interrogative word like "how" introduces a noun clause, the clause must use statement word order (subject + verb) instead of question word order. Therefore, "how can we" must change to "how we can." The options using "that how" or "whether how" are redundant and ungrammatical.
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Q16The man ___ lives next door is a doctor.
Answer: C. who
This is an adjective clause (relative clause) modifying "The man." "Who" is the relative pronoun used as the subject for people. "Whom" is used for objects, "whose" for possession, and "which" for things. Since the pronoun is the subject of the verb "lives," "who" is the correct choice.
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Q17The book ___ I bought is very interesting.
Answer: B. that
"That" is a relative pronoun used to refer to things in restrictive adjective clauses (clauses that define exactly which item we are talking about). "Who" and "whose" are for people, and "where" is for places. In this sentence, the clause "that I bought" identifies the book.
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Q18Identify the type of clause: The car [which we rented] broke down.
Answer: B. Adjective clause
The clause "[which we rented]" describes the noun "car." Since its function is to provide more information about a noun, it is an adjective clause (also known as a relative clause). Adverb clauses modify verbs, and noun clauses function as subjects or objects.
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Q19That is the girl ___ bag was stolen.
Answer: A. whose
"Whose" is the possessive relative pronoun. It is used to show that the bag belongs to the girl. "Who" is a subject pronoun, "whom" is an object pronoun, and "which" is for things. Only "whose" can correctly link the owner ("girl") to the possessed item ("bag").
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Q20The city ___ I live in is very big.
Answer: C. which
When a relative clause contains a preposition like "in" at the end, we must use the relative pronoun "which" (or "that"). We cannot use "where" followed by "in" because "where" already means "in which." "Where I live" would be correct, but "where I live in" is ungrammatical.
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Q21That is the house ___ my grandfather built.
Answer: B. that
"That" is the relative pronoun referring to "the house." In this adjective clause, "that" is the object of the verb "built" (he built the house). "Where" is used for locations when something happens at that place, but "built" requires a direct object, which is provided by "that."
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Q22Identify the type of clause: I know the person [whose car is parked outside].
Answer: B. Adjective clause
The clause "[whose car is parked outside]" gives more information about the noun "person." Because it modifies a noun, it acts like an adjective, making it an adjective clause (relative clause).
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Q23The teacher ___ I spoke to was very helpful.
Answer: B. whom
"Whom" is the object relative pronoun used for people. In the clause "I spoke to," the pronoun is the object of the preposition "to." While "who" is common in casual English, "whom" is the correct formal choice for objects. "Which" is for things, and "whose" shows possession.
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Q24Which of the following is the correct version of the sentence? The man which works here is nice.
Answer: C. The man who works here is nice.
When referring to people in relative clauses, we must use "who" for subjects. "Which" is reserved for things or animals. "Whom" is incorrect here because the pronoun is the subject of the verb "works," not an object.
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Q25The company ___ employees are on strike is struggling.
Answer: C. whose
"Whose" is the possessive relative pronoun used for both people and things (like companies). Here, it indicates that the employees belong to the company. "Which" and "that" cannot show this relationship, and "who" is only for people.
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Q26Identify the type of clause: The woman [who called earlier] left a message.
Answer: A. Adjective clause
The clause "who called earlier" modifies the noun "woman." Clauses that provide identifying information about a noun are adjective clauses (or relative clauses).
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Q27People ___ exercise regularly live longer.
Answer: B. that
In restrictive adjective clauses (essential to the sentence meaning), both "who" and "that" can refer to people. "Which" is only for things. "Whom" is for objects, and "whose" is for possession. Since "that" is the only option that can act as a subject for "people," it is the correct answer.
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Q28The restaurant ___ we visited last night was excellent.
Answer: A. that
"That" is the relative pronoun used here as the object of the verb "visited." We use "where" when we mean "at which" (e.g., "the restaurant where we ate"). Because you visit a place directly (no preposition), "that" or "which" is required.
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Q29Which of the following is the correct version of this sentence? My friend who I met yesterday is from Japan.
Answer: D. My friend whom I met yesterday is from Japan.
"Whom" is the object pronoun used for people. In the clause "I met yesterday," the friend is the person being met (the object). While "who" is often used in speech, "whom" is the grammatically precise form for objects in formal English. "Which" is for things, and "whose" is for possession.
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Q30Anyone ___ wants to join must sign up.
Answer: B. who
"Who" is the subject relative pronoun for people. It acts as the subject of the verb "wants." "Whom" would be used if the pronoun were the object of the verb. "Which" is used for things, and "whose" is possessive.
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Q31I will wait here ___ the rain stops.
Answer: D. until
"Until" is a conjunction used in adverb clauses of time to mean "up to the point in time when." It fits because the waiting continues until the moment the rain ends. "If," "although," and "because" do not logically describe waiting for a change in time.
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Q32___ it was raining, we went for a walk.
Answer: B. Although
"Although" introduces a clause of concession or contrast. It is used when the main clause is surprising given the facts in the dependent clause. Normally, people do not walk in the rain, so "although" is the logical link. "Because" would imply the rain was the reason for the walk.
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Q33Identify the type of clause: [Because he was tired], he slept.
Answer: B. Adverb clause
The clause "[Because he was tired]" provides a reason for the action in the main clause. Clauses that explain reason, time, condition, or contrast are called adverb clauses.
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Q34___ you study, you will likely fail the exam.
Answer: D. Unless
"Unless" means "if... not." The sentence logically means "If you do not study, you will fail." Using "if" would mean studying causes failure, which is illogical. "When" and "Because" also create meanings that do not fit the context of failing an exam.
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Q35___ I am hungry, I will eat a snack.
Answer: C. Since
"Since" is used as a synonym for "because" to introduce a reason. Hunger is the reason for eating a snack. "Until," "unless," and "although" create illogical relationships between being hungry and eating.
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Q36___ you are ready, we can begin the presentation.
Answer: A. As soon as
"As soon as" is a time conjunction meaning "immediately after." It indicates that the start of the presentation is waiting for the moment of readiness. "Unless" and "although" do not fit the logic of starting a task upon being ready.
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Q37Identify the type of clause: I'll call you [after I finish work].
Answer: C. Adverb clause
The clause "[after I finish work]" tells us when the action of the main verb ("call") will happen. Clauses that modify the main verb by providing time information are adverb clauses.
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Q38___ he was ill, he still finished his work.
Answer: B. Even though
"Even though" introduces a contrast or concession. The word "still" in the main clause is a context clue, as it often pairs with "although" or "even though" to show that an action was completed despite an obstacle like illness.
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Q39Which of the following is the correct version of this sentence? Until you will finish, wait here.
Answer: C. Until you finish, wait here.
In adverb clauses of time (starting with "until," "when," "after"), we use the present simple tense to refer to the future. Using "will" in these clauses is a common grammar error. "Until you finish" is the correct form.
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Q40___ you don't hurry, you will miss the bus.
Answer: D. If
This is a first conditional sentence. "If" introduces a possible condition ("don't hurry") that leads to a likely future result ("will miss the bus"). "Until" and "since" do not fit the logical structure of a condition here.
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Q41Identify the type of clause: [Even though it was expensive], she bought it.
Answer: C. Adverb clause
This clause provides information about contrast or concession. Because it modifies the circumstances under which the main action ("she bought it") happened, it is an adverb clause.
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Q42___ I arrived, the phone rang immediately.
Answer: A. As soon as
"As soon as" indicates that one event happened immediately after another. The word "immediately" in the main clause is a context clue pointing to a time relationship, making "As soon as" the correct choice.
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Q43Which of the following is the correct version of this sentence? Because of it was cold, we stayed inside.
Answer: A. Because it was cold, we stayed inside.
"Because" is a conjunction followed by a full clause (subject + verb: "it was cold"). "Because of" is a preposition and must be followed by a noun phrase (e.g., "Because of the cold"). "Because it was cold" is the correct construction for a full clause.
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Q44___ she was tired, she finished the report on time.
Answer: D. Although
"Although" introduces a contrast. It is used because being tired usually makes it harder to finish work; the fact that she finished on time is surprising or contrary to expectation. "Because" would imply tiredness helped her finish, which is illogical.
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Q45Identify the type of clause: [Unless you practice], you won't improve.
Answer: C. Adverb clause
The clause "[Unless you practice]" sets a condition for the main verb. Adverb clauses are used to express conditions, often beginning with words like "if" or "unless."
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