Discourse Markers and Cohesion Practice Test (Advanced)

Q1The researchers observed a slight increase in participation rates. ___ this suggests that the intervention may have been partially effective.

Answer: A. Accordingly

'Accordingly' is a transition word (like 'however' or 'therefore') used to signal a logical consequence or a deduction derived from preceding evidence. It establishes a causal link between the observation (the increase) and the conclusion (the effectiveness). 'Furthermore' adds information without suggesting a consequence, while 'However' indicates contrast. 'Notwithstanding' is a concessive marker meaning 'despite' and does not fit the logical flow of this entailment.

Q2The committee reviewed the new policy framework. ___ proposal was met with significant skepticism from the board members.

Answer: C. This

The singular demonstrative determiner 'This' is required for referring back to the previously mentioned singular noun phrase 'the new policy framework'. It must maintain number agreement with the singular head noun 'proposal'. 'These' and 'Those' are plural, while 'Such' functions as a determiner of quality or type (meaning 'of this kind') rather than a direct reference to a specific, singular item.

Q3Identify the error: The study was poorly designed and lacked a control group. Consequently, the result were unreliable.

Answer: A. results were unreliable

This is a matter of subject-verb concord (agreement). The plural verb form 'were' requires a plural subject 'results'. Using the singular 'result' with a plural verb creates a grammatical mismatch. The corrected phrase 'results were unreliable' ensures that the subject and predicator agree in number.

Q4We must address the issue of climate change. It is beyond the scope of this paper ___ a comprehensive solution to the crisis.

Answer: B. to provide

The noun 'scope' is followed by a non-finite clause introduced by a full infinitive ('to provide'). In this extrapositional structure — where the dummy subject 'It' represents the delayed clause — the to-infinitive acts as the logical subject. The bare infinitive 'provide', the gerund 'providing', and the prepositional construction 'to providing' are syntactically incorrect in this specific structure.

Q5The survey data indicates a shift in consumer preference. ___, the demographic aged 18-24 is showing a stronger preference for digital media.

Answer: B. More precisely

'More precisely' is a discourse marker of specification. It is used to refine a general claim (the shift in preference) by providing more specific detail (the 18-24 demographic). 'Furthermore' is merely additive, while 'In contrast' and 'On the other hand' signal a transition to a conflicting point, which is not the case here.

Q6Identify the correct alternative: The candidate has a strong academic background.Although her strong background, she lacks practical experience.

Answer: B. Despite her strong background, she lacks practical experience.

'Despite' is a preposition that correctly takes the noun phrase 'her strong background' as its object. 'Although' is a subordinating conjunction and must be followed by a finite clause (a clause with a subject and verb, e.g., 'Although she has...'). 'However' and 'Nevertheless' are conjunctive adverbs that introduce independent clauses and cannot function as prepositions.

Q7The experiment was conducted under strictly controlled conditions. ___ the results can be considered highly reliable.

Answer: D. It follows that

'It follows that' is a formal introductory phrase used to signal a logical deduction or a necessary consequence based on a premise. 'Whereas' is used for contrastive subordination, 'Even if' introduces a concessive condition, and 'Admittedly' serves as a concessive disjunct (acknowledging a fact that may limit an argument). Only 'It follows that' correctly bridges the cause (controlled conditions) and the logical effect (reliability).

Q8The aim of this study is to examine the impact of remote work on productivity. ___ we have surveyed over 500 employees.

Answer: A. To this end

'To this end' is a purposive discourse marker meaning 'for this purpose' or 'in order to achieve this goal'. It links the stated objective (the aim of the study) with the specific methodology used. 'Therefore' expresses result, and 'In addition' adds information, but neither captures the relationship between a specific aim and the action taken to achieve it as precisely as 'To this end'.

Q9Novice researchers sometimes make bold statements in their papers. ___ a claim requires rigorous evidence to be accepted by the scientific community.

Answer: A. Such

'Such' functions as a demonstrative determiner of quality, referring back to the general type of claim implied in the preceding sentence (the 'bold statements'). It means 'a claim of this kind'. While 'This' might refer to a specific, singular claim just mentioned, 'Such' is more appropriate here for categorizing a general example. 'These' and 'Those' are plural and cannot modify the singular noun 'a claim'.

Q10Identify the error: The government proposed new austerity measures. This proposals faced strong opposition from the public.

Answer: D. These proposals faced

The demonstrative determiner must agree in number with the head noun. The plural noun 'proposals' requires the plural demonstrative 'These'. The original 'This proposals' is a concord error. While 'This proposal faced' (singular) would be grammatically correct, the context establishes plural 'measures', making 'These proposals' the most cohesive choice for referring back to a word mentioned earlier.

Q11The company's profits have declined for three consecutive quarters. ___ the current market strategy is no longer viable.

Answer: A. It appears that

In formal writing, 'It appears that' is a standard hedging device used to express epistemic modality (the speaker's degree of certainty). It allows the writer to make a cautious inference based on evidence without overstating the conclusion as absolute. 'It is clear that', 'It is certain that', and 'It is proven that' lack the nuance and caution required when interpreting fluctuating market data.

Q12The team failed to meet the deadline. ___, the project budget was significantly reduced.

Answer: B. As a corollary

'As a corollary' is a formal cohesive marker used to introduce a direct, natural consequence or a secondary result of a previous occurrence. It implies that the budget reduction is a logical follow-on to the failure. 'In other words' is used for reformulation, while 'Significantly' and 'Crucially' emphasize importance but do not specify the causal-result-showing relationship as precisely.

Q13The report highlights several major issues. ___ is the lack of funding for the proposed initiative.

Answer: B. Of particular relevance

The phrase 'Of particular relevance' functions as a fronted predicate (subject complement) in an inverted structure (predicate fronting), used here to highlight one specific item. 'Significantly' and 'Crucially' are sentence adverbs that would typically modify a full clause (e.g., 'Significantly, there is a lack...'), and 'It is noteworthy that' is an extrapositional structure that requires a following finite clause, not just the copula 'is'.

Q14Identify the error: The initial hypothesis was flawed, so admittedly, it needs revision.

Answer: C. admittedly, it needed revision.

To maintain temporal consistency and tense concord, the past tense 'was' in the main clause should be matched with the past tense 'needed'. Using the present tense 'needs' suggests a current state that conflicts with the established past timeframe of the experiment. 'Admittedly, it needed revision' ensures the entire sequence of events — the flaw and the subsequent requirement for change — is situated consistently in the past.

Q15The sensor was damaged during the experiment. ___, it no longer recorded the observed phenomena.

Answer: D. Consequently

'Consequently' is a transition word used to show the logical result of the sensor being damaged — the outcome is that it no longer recorded the phenomena. 'However' and 'Nevertheless' are concessive markers used to signal contrast or an unexpected turn, which contradicts the cause-and-effect logic of this sentence. 'In other words' would be used to restate or paraphrase, not to introduce a result.

Q16The data collection phase is complete. ___: first, we present the findings; second, we discuss the implications.

Answer: A. The remainder of this paper is organised as follows

'The remainder of this paper is organised as follows' is a conventionalized metadiscourse formula in academic writing. It functions as a signposting device to orient the reader toward upcoming structure. While the other options are grammatically possible, they lack the specific idiomatic and formal register required for standard institutionalized academic signposting.

Q17Choose the best alternative for the underlined portion, or choose the original text if no change is needed: The economic forecast remains uncertain. Notwithstanding this, the central bank has raised interest rates.

Answer: C. Notwithstanding this, the central bank has raised interest rates.

'Notwithstanding this' is a formal, prepositional cohesive device that functions correctly as a concessive adjunct. It indicates that the rate hike occurred despite the uncertainty. 'However this' is ungrammatical because 'However' is a transition word (like 'however' or 'therefore'), not a preposition. 'Even though this' is incorrect because 'Even though' is a subordinating conjunction requiring a finite clause. 'Despite this' is correct but less formal than the original.

Q18The project was a massive success for both Sarah and John. The former was promoted, while ___ received a bonus.

Answer: C. the latter

'The latter' is the standard cohesive device used for referring back to the second of two entities previously mentioned (John). 'The former' and 'the latter' are paired to avoid repetition of names. 'The second', 'the last', and 'the final' are ordinal markers that do not function as specific anaphoric pointers in this same way when contrasting two distinct individuals.

Q19The experiment results were ambiguous. ___, they did not support the initial hypothesis.

Answer: C. Consequently

'Consequently' functions as a logical connector indicating that the lack of support for the hypothesis is a direct result or manifestation of the results being 'ambiguous'. 'To put it differently' is used for paraphrase or reformulation, and 'Furthermore' is additive. 'However' would imply a contrast that does not exist between ambiguity and failure to support a hypothesis.

Q20Identify the error: The study suggests that sleep deprivation affects cognitive function. Crucially, this findings are consistent with previous research.

Answer: D. Crucially, these findings are

The demonstrative determiner must agree in number with its head noun. 'Findings' is a plural count noun, requiring the plural proximal demonstrative 'these'. The original 'this findings' is a number concord error. 'Crucially, these findings are' provides the correct plural determiner and plural verb to ensure grammatical consistency throughout the clause.

Q21The architecture of the building is unique. ___, it represents a departure from traditional styles.

Answer: D. In the final analysis

'In the final analysis' is a sophisticated discourse marker used to provide a definitive or overarching evaluation after considering various factors. It fits the analytical register of evaluating architectural style. 'Overall' and 'To summarise' are common in less formal contexts, while 'In conclusion' is generally reserved for the final paragraph of a text rather than a transition between descriptive sentences.

Q22The software update caused several compatibility issues. ___ problems were resolved within 24 hours.

Answer: A. The aforementioned

'The aforementioned' is a formal anaphoric adjective used in legal and academic contexts to refer back to items just cited (the compatibility issues). While 'The above-mentioned' is similar, it usually refers to items physically located higher on a page. 'The latter' and 'The former' are used to distinguish between two specific, separate entities, whereas here we are referring back to the single set of issues previously described.

Q23___ that the virus is spreading. However, the data is preliminary.

Answer: C. There is evidence to suggest

'There is evidence to suggest' is a standard academic hedging phrase used to express a tentative epistemic stance (degree of certainty). It acknowledges findings while allowing for the possibility of revision, which is necessitated by the following sentence starting with 'However'. 'It is clear that', 'It is certain that', and 'It is proven that' express absolute certainty, which contradicts the subsequent warning that the data is preliminary.

Q24Choose the best alternative for the underlined portion, or choose the original text if no change is needed: The proposal was rejected by the committee. As a result, the team had to revise their strategy.

Answer: C. As a result, the team had to revise their strategy.

The original text is correct. 'As a result' is a standard prepositional phrase functioning as a causal linker — the rejection caused the revision. 'On the contrary' is an contrastive marker indicating contrast or opposition, not a causal relationship, making it semantically wrong here. 'Hence, the team had to revising' is ungrammatical (the semi-modal 'had to' requires a base form), and 'Therefore, the team was revising' changes the aspect to continuous, implying an ongoing action rather than a necessary response.

Q25The climate crisis is urgent. ___ governments have failed to meet their targets.

Answer: D. It should be noted that

'It should be noted that' is an impersonal metadiscourse marker used to draw the reader's attention to a significant, supporting fact. 'In contrast' is incorrect because the governments' failure does not oppose or contradict the urgency of the crisis — it is a consistent, reinforcing fact, not a contrasting one. 'To put it differently' signals a reformulation of the same idea in different words, but the second sentence introduces new information about government failure rather than restating the crisis's urgency. 'Important' is an adjective and cannot function as a standalone sentence-level discourse marker.

Q26The results were inconclusive. ___, the research does not support the theory.

Answer: A. On balance

'On balance' is a discourse marker used when weighing different pieces of evidence to reach a reasoned judgment. It is appropriate here because it implies that after considering the 'inconclusive' results, the final judgment is that the theory lacks support. 'To conclude' and 'In summary' are used for larger structural endings, and 'Overall' is more suited to general descriptions than specific evidentiary judgments.

Q27Choose the best alternative for the underlined portion, or choose the original text if no change is needed: The patient showed signs of recovery. Preliminary findings suggest that the treatment is working.

Answer: D. Preliminary findings suggest that the treatment is working.

The original sentence is correct. 'Findings' is a plural noun, requiring the plural verb form 'suggest' (third-person plural present). 'Preliminary findings suggests' contains a number agreement error. 'Preliminary finding suggest' also contains a concord error (singular subject, plural verb). The progressive form 'are suggesting' is unnecessary and less typical in scientific reporting than the simple present.

Q28The author argues that globalisation has failed. ___, she argues that its benefits are unevenly distributed.

Answer: B. Or rather

'Or rather' is a discourse marker of reformulation or self-correction. It allows the writer to provide a more accurate or nuanced version of the preceding claim. Here, the author moves from a broad claim (globalisation failed) to a more specific, nuanced critique (benefits are uneven). 'Consequently' and 'Therefore' indicate result, and 'Howeve'r indicates contrast, none of which capture this refinement.

Q29This introduction has outlined the main arguments. ___ examines the historical context of the dispute.

Answer: B. The following section

'The following section' is the standard academic convention for endophoric reference (referring to a part within the same text) to the immediate subsequent part. 'The previous section' refers to a section that came before, not after. 'The section below' usually refers to something lower on the same physical page rather than a distinct sequential chapter.

Q30Choose the best alternative for the underlined portion, or choose the original text if no change is needed: The experiment was poorly designed. The results were therefore unreliable.

Answer: C. The results were therefore unreliable.

The original text is correct. 'Therefore' is a transition word (like 'however' or 'therefore'). When it is placed in the medial position — specifically between the copula 'were' and the following adjective 'unreliable' — it does not require commas. Commas around 'therefore' are usually used when it is placed parenthetically at the start of a sentence or to mark a clear pause, but in this predicative structure, the flow is uninterrupted.

Q31The company faces a significant debt crisis. ___, it is unlikely to expand this year.

Answer: B. By extension

'By extension' is a cohesive device used to introduce a logical inference that broadens the implications of a previous premise. The lack of expansion is presented as a logical broadening of the 'debt crisis'. 'Admittedly' is for concession and 'However' is for contrast, neither of which fits this relationship of logical projection. 'Alternatively' introduces a different option or choice, which is logically incorrect here — the expansion risk is a consequence, not an alternative.

Q32The policy was implemented last year. ___ the effects have been minimal.

Answer: B. It is worth emphasising that

'It is worth emphasising that' is a formal stance marker used to highlight a specific, somewhat unexpected point for the reader — here, that the policy's effects have been surprisingly minimal despite a year passing. 'Similarly' is incorrect because there is no comparable prior case being drawn into parallel; the minimal effects are not 'similar to' anything previously mentioned. 'In other words' signals a reformulation of the previous sentence in different words, but the second sentence reports a new outcome rather than restating the implementation date. 'It is important that' conventionally introduces a recommendation or necessity (e.g. 'it is important that we act'), not a statement of observed fact, making it semantically mismatched here.

Q33Choose the best alternative for the underlined portion, or choose the original text if no change is needed: The data is incomplete. While it is true that the sample size is small, we can still draw some conclusions.

Answer: B. While it is true that the sample size is small, we can still draw some conclusions.

The original text is correct. The modal auxiliary verb 'can' must be followed by a bare infinitive ('draw'). Option 'we can drawing' incorrectly uses a gerund-participle, 'we can be drawing' unnecessarily uses the continuous aspect, and 'we can still to draw' incorrectly inserts the to-particle. This concessive 'While'-clause represents standard, high-level English syntax.

Q34The study aims to identify the root cause of the problem. ___ in Section 3.

Answer: D. This will be discussed further

The passive voice 'This will be discussed further' is the most appropriate construction for academic signposting, as it focuses on the topic rather than the author. 'This will discuss' is incorrect because the inanimate subject 'This' cannot perform the action of discussing. 'This will be discussing' uses the future continuous aspect unnecessarily, and 'further on' is redundant when Section 3 already specifies the location.

Q35The candidate has excellent qualifications. ___, she is the best person for the job.

Answer: A. All things considered

'All things considered' is a summary marker used to introduce a final judgment or decision made after evaluating various factors. It fits the context of hiring where multiple qualifications are weighed. 'To conclude' and 'In summary' are more appropriate for ending formal written works, and 'Overall' provides a general impression rather than the specific conclusive judgment implied here.

Q36Choose the best alternative for the underlined portion, or choose the original text if no change is needed: The experiment proves the hypothesis. The results indicate a strong correlation.

Answer: D. The results indicate a strong correlation.

The original text is correct. 'Results' is a plural noun and requires the base form 'indicate' for third-person plural agreement. 'The results are indicate' is a double-verb error; 'The results is indicating' contains a number concord error between a plural subject and a singular verb; and 'The results proves' also contains a number concord error (singular verb with plural subject).

Q37The theory is widely accepted. ___, there are some minor flaws in the methodology.

Answer: A. Admittedly

'Admittedly' is a concessive disjunct used to voluntarily acknowledge a limiting fact — here, that the widely accepted theory still has flaws. 'Similarly' is an additive marker of comparison, not concession. 'Hence' and 'Consequently' are result-showing markers, which would imply the flaws are a direct consequence of the theory's acceptance — logically backwards.

Q38The research is groundbreaking. ___ it has not yet been peer-reviewed.

Answer: C. It is noteworthy that

'It is noteworthy that' is a formal stance marker used to draw the reader's attention to a fact that qualifies or complicates the preceding claim — here, that the groundbreaking research has not yet been peer-reviewed. 'As a result' is incorrect because the lack of peer review is not a consequence of the research being groundbreaking; there is no cause-and-effect relationship between the two facts. 'On the contrary' is incorrect because not yet being peer-reviewed does not negate or contradict the claim that the research is groundbreaking — the two facts coexist rather than oppose each other. 'That is to say' signals a reformulation of the same idea in different words, but the second sentence adds new, qualifying information rather than restating the first.

Q39Choose the best alternative for the underlined portion, or choose the original text if no change is needed: The study was conducted over five years. Even if one accepts that the methodology was sound, the results remain debatable.

Answer: D. Even if one accepts that the methodology was sound, the results remain debatable.

The original text is correct. The plural subject 'results' requires the plural verb 'remain'. Options using 'remains' or 'is remain' are ungrammatical due to subject-verb concord errors. While 'methodology were' might be seen as a subjunctive, it is unnecessary here as we are discussing a past concession rather than a counterfactual condition, making the indicative 'was' more appropriate.

Q40The lecture was informative. ___, the speaker outlined the main challenges facing the industry.

Answer: C. To summarise

'To summarise' is a functional discourse marker used to introduce a brief recap of the main points. In this context, it signals that the speaker's outline was a condensed version of the industry challenges. 'Overall' and 'All things considered' are evaluative markers, and 'In conclusion' is typically used to signal the absolute end of a discourse rather than the specific act of summarizing content.

Q41The data appears to show a strong correlation. ___ a potential causal link.

Answer: D. This implies

'This implies' uses the third-person singular present tense, which is the standard for reporting the logical consequences of findings. 'This imply' is a concord error; 'This is implying' uses the continuous aspect which is generally avoided in stating logical entailments; and 'This is imply' is syntactically incorrect (the copula 'is' cannot be followed by a bare infinitive).

Q42Consumer preferences are shifting rapidly. ___, the report provides a clear overview of these new market trends.

Answer: A. In light of this

'In light of this' is a cohesive device that means 'taking this into account' or 'considering this information'. It links the shifting preferences to the reason the report's overview is valuable. 'All things considered' and 'On balance' are used for weighing conflicting evidence, and 'To summarise' introduces a shortened version of the whole.

Q43Choose the best alternative for the underlined portion, or choose the original text if no change is needed: The data is consistent. One possible explanation is that the variables are correlated.

Answer: A. One possible explanation is that the variables are correlated.

The original text is correct. The plural subject 'variables' requires the plural verb 'are'. 'One possible explanation is' requires a singular verb because the subject is 'one... explanation'. Option 'variables be' incorrectly uses the subjunctive or base form; 'variables is' contains a number concord error; and 'explanation are' also contains a number concord error.

Q44The construction project was completed ahead of schedule. ___, this was due to the unusually good weather rather than our planning.

Answer: B. Admittedly

'Admittedly' is a concessive disjunct used to confess or acknowledge a fact that detracts from a claim — here, admitting that the early completion was due to luck (weather) rather than skill (planning). 'Consequently' and 'Therefore' express a result, which is logically backwards here. 'However' introduces a contrast but lacks the specific confessional tone required by 'rather than our planning'.

Q45The study is finished. ___, we have demonstrated that the theory is correct.

Answer: C. Ultimately

'Ultimately' is a temporal and logical discourse marker used to signal the final, most important result of a long process. It emphasizes that after all research and analysis, the final takeaway is the theory's correctness. 'Overall' and 'All things considered' are evaluative and broad, while 'To summarise' is purely structural, introducing a recap.

Discourse Markers and Cohesion Practice Test — Advanced

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All 45 questions with answers