Intermediate conjunctions. 45 questions on subordinating conjunctions and complex sentence structure.
What this test covers
- Subordinating Conjunctions
- Complex Sentences
- Adverbial Clauses
Answer the 45 questions below. Each answer is checked straight away, with an explanation. Press Submit at the end to get your score and save it to your dashboard. Answers are not kept if you leave before submitting.
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___ it was raining heavily, we decided to go for a run in the park.
Answer: A. Although
We use 'Although' to introduce a concession—a contrast between the bad weather and the decision to run. 'Since' and 'Because' would suggest the rain was the reason for the run, which is illogical here.
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Q2You can borrow my car ___ you return it by tonight.
Answer: B. provided that
'Provided that' is a formal way to express a condition, similar to 'if' or 'on the condition that.' Use it here because returning the car is the requirement for borrowing it.
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Q3I will wait here ___ you get back from the store.
Answer: B. until
Use 'until' to describe an action (waiting) that continues up to a specific point in time (getting back). 'Although' and 'because' do not fit the time-based context of waiting.
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Q4She decided to study abroad ___ she wanted to experience a new culture.
Answer: B. because
Use 'because' to provide the reason for an action. The desire to experience a new culture is the direct cause of her decision to study abroad.
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Q5___ you need help with your homework, just let me know.
Answer: B. Whenever
'Whenever' means 'at any time that' or 'every time that.' It is used here to show that the offer of help is open at any time the person might need it.
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Q6He is very talkative, ___ his brother is quite shy.
Answer: D. whereas
'Whereas' is a subordinating conjunction used to highlight a contrast between two people or facts. Here, it contrasts 'talkative' with 'shy.'
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Q7We cannot start the meeting ___ everyone arrives.
Answer: C. unless
'Unless' means 'if... not.' The sentence means the meeting cannot start 'if everyone does not arrive.' It sets a negative condition.
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Q8___ he was tired, he finished his work before leaving.
Answer: A. Even though
'Even though' is used to show a strong contrast or concession. It emphasizes that despite the obstacle of being tired, he still completed his work.
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Q9I will call you ___ I get to the hotel.
Answer: D. as soon as
'As soon as' is a time conjunction indicating that one action happens immediately after another. It is more logical here than 'because' or 'although' for a sequence of events.
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Q10The game was cancelled ___ the field was flooded.
Answer: D. since
In this context, 'since' means 'because.' It introduces the reason (the flooded field) for the action (cancelling the game).
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Q11Please keep the door closed ___ the cat doesn't get out.
Answer: A. so that
Use 'so that' to express purpose or intention. The reason for keeping the door closed is the goal of preventing the cat from escaping.
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Q12___ you are ready, we can start the presentation.
Answer: C. Whenever
'Whenever' functions as a conditional time marker here, meaning 'at the moment that' or 'any time that' you are ready.
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Q13He wore a jacket ___ it was quite warm outside.
Answer: A. Although
'Although' introduces a contrast. Usually, people don't wear jackets when it is warm, so this is a concession to the unexpected situation.
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Q14You will fail the test ___ you study harder.
Answer: D. unless
'Unless' introduces the only condition that can prevent the failure. It means 'if you do not study harder, you will fail.'
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Q15Choose the correct sentence regarding punctuation.
Answer: C. Because it was late, we went home.
When a subordinate clause (starting with 'Because') comes before the main clause, we must use a comma to separate them. This helps the reader identify where the main idea begins.
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Q16I'll be happy to help ___ you give me more details.
Answer: A. provided that
'Provided that' sets a specific condition. The help is dependent on receiving more details. 'Until' would suggest I will stop helping once I get details, which is illogical.
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Q17___ he is younger than me, he is much taller.
Answer: A. Although
'Although' is the correct choice to show an unexpected contrast between age (younger) and physical height (taller).
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Q18We stayed at the beach ___ the sun went down.
Answer: A. until
Use 'until' to indicate the end point of a continuous action. The 'staying' continued up to the moment the sun set.
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Q19___ it was raining, the football match continued.
Answer: D. Even though
'Even though' highlights a contrast or concession. It explains that the match did not stop, despite the rain. 'Because' would imply they played specifically because of the rain.
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Q20I recognize that face ___ I see it.
Answer: C. whenever
'Whenever' is used for repeated events. It means 'every time' I see the face, I recognize it.
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Q21She was late ___ the train was delayed.
Answer: D. because
'Because' introduces the cause or reason for her lateness. The delayed train is the direct reason she arrived late.
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Q22Choose the correct sentence.
Answer: D. I went to bed early because I was tired.
In standard English, when the subordinate clause (starting with 'because') follows the main clause, we generally do not use a comma before it.
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Q23They will not leave ___ they finish their project.
Answer: A. until
'Until' describes a state that will continue (not leaving) up to the specific point when the project is finished.
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Q24___ you try, you will never succeed.
Answer: D. Unless
'Unless' means 'if... not.' The sentence means 'if you do not try, you will never succeed.' It sets a necessary condition for success.
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Q25He is very organized, ___ his sister is quite messy.
Answer: B. while
'While' is used here to show a contrast between two different people. It functions similarly to 'whereas' in this context.
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Q26___ you have any questions, please ask the teacher.
Answer: B. If
'If' introduces a condition. Asking the teacher is dependent on the existence of questions. 'Because' would incorrectly imply the student definitely has questions.
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Q27I will support you ___ happens.
Answer: C. whatever
'Whatever' is used here to show that the support is unconditional; it remains true regardless of the events that occur.
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Q28The dog barked ___ it saw the stranger.
Answer: D. whenever
'Whenever' indicates a repeated action: every time the dog saw the stranger, it barked.
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Q29___ he had little money, he was very generous.
Answer: C. Although
'Although' introduces a concession. We might expect someone with little money to be less generous, so 'although' highlights this surprising contrast.
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Q30We can go to the cinema ___ we finish our chores.
Answer: D. as soon as
'As soon as' indicates a sequence where one action follows immediately after another. Finishing chores is the trigger for going to the cinema.
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Q31You will be safe ___ you follow the instructions.
Answer: A. provided that
'Provided that' means 'only if' or 'on the condition that.' Safety is guaranteed as long as the instructions are followed.
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Q32___ it was a holiday, the shops were closed.
Answer: C. Since
'Since' is used here to mean 'Because.' It introduces the reason why the shops were not open.
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Q33I don't like horror movies ___ they are too scary.
Answer: D. because
'Because' introduces the reason for the speaker's dislike of horror movies.
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Q34___ you apologize, I will not talk to you.
Answer: D. Unless
'Unless' means 'if you don't.' The speaker will remain silent if the apology does not happen.
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Q35She continued working ___ she was exhausted.
Answer: D. even though
'Even though' shows a strong contrast. She worked despite the fact that she was very tired.
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Q36___ you are, you can always call home.
Answer: B. Wherever
'Wherever' means 'in or to any place.' It indicates that the location doesn't matter; the ability to call home remains.
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Q37Choose the correct sentence.
Answer: B. I will wait until you are ready.
When a time clause (starting with 'until') follows the main clause, we do not use a comma or other punctuation to separate them.
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Q38___ he was sick, he still went to work.
Answer: A. Although
'Although' is used for concession, showing that he went to work despite his illness.
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Q39I'll be there ___ I can.
Answer: A. as soon as
'As soon as' is a common temporal expression meaning 'at the earliest possible moment.'
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Q40They bought the house ___ it needed many repairs.
Answer: B. even though
'Even though' highlights the contrast between the decision to buy and the poor condition of the house. 'Whenever' and 'unless' do not create a meaningful causal or concessive relationship with the purchase decision. 'Until' marks a continuous action up to a point in time, which does not fit the single completed act of buying a house.
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Q41___ you have finished the report, please email it.
Answer: D. Once
'Once' means 'as soon as' or 'after.' It marks the completion of one task (finishing the report) as the time to start the next (emailing it).
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Q42I will not go ___ you go with me.
Answer: A. unless
'Unless' creates a negative condition. I won't go if you aren't with me.
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Q43He is talented, ___ he is also humble.
Answer: D. while
'While' can be used to connect two characteristics of the same person, often highlighting a balance or contrast between them.
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Q44___ you are late, we will start without you.
Answer: B. If
'If' introduces a possible condition. Starting without the person is dependent on them being late.
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Q45I enjoy cooking ___ I have time.
Answer: D. whenever
'Whenever' means 'at any time that.' It indicates that the speaker cooks every time the condition of having free time is met.
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