Exercise 1: Exam-Format Paragraphs

Set A — 'Where There Is a Wheel' [because, however, to begin with, and]

, only the Arivoli activists learnt cycling. Then the neo-literates wanted to learn, soon every woman did. Many faced dirty remarks _ cycling was thought unwomanly. _, Arivoli gave cycling social sanction and the movement spread.

Answers

Blank Answer Why
1 To begin with It opens the sequence of stages.
2 and Simple addition inside the sentence.
3 because It gives the reason for the remarks.
4 However The thought turns from the remarks to the support.

Set B — 'The Voter' [so, although, that, but]

Roof knew _ one vote could not change the result. he had sworn on the iyi, he could not betray Marcus. He could not return the five pounds either, he tore the ballot paper in two. He kept both promises, _ his vote counted for nobody.

Answers: that · Although · so · but (Blank 1 introduces a clause after "knew"; blank 2 opens a concession clause; blank 3 gives the result; blank 4 turns the thought at the end.)

Set C — 'Water' [since, therefore, and, while]

The panchama had no right to draw water, _ he waited all day beside the well. He stood with an empty pot a shudra poured water from a distance. The wada had thirsted the days of their grandparents, _ nothing had changed.

Answers: therefore · while · since · and

Set D — 'Japan and Brazil Through a Traveller's Eye' [in spite of, such, moreover, whereas]

In Japan everybody bowed with ceremonious solemnity. , babies on their mothers' backs bowed too. The people were polite at the bus stop, they turned into savages the moment the bus arrived. Bowing reached _ a pitch that even a deer bowed to the visitor. _ the crowding, nobody listened in to a telephone call.

Answers: Moreover · whereas · such · In spite of

Exercise 2: Choose the Linker in a Sentence

Sentence Answer
__ she was a science graduate, Kannammal had never dared to cycle. Although
The cycle saved time, __ it increased their income. and / moreover
Marcus drew five months' salary in advance __ he could buy votes. so that
The elders refused two shillings __ Marcus was now a rich man. because
__ the villagers had voted free earlier, they now demanded money. Although
The water was denied to the wada; __, the Malapalle burnt to ashes. therefore
Fatima loses money on cycling; __, she hires a cycle every evening. however
__ the rally, the town had never seen so many women cyclists. Before
The traffic grew so fast __ crossing the road became dangerous. that
__ of the crowding in Japan, courtesy replaced privacy. In spite

Exercise 3: Which Relation?

Name the relation each linker shows.

Linker Relation
besides addition
nevertheless contrast
owing to reason
consequently result
in order to purpose
meanwhile time
unless condition
for instance example
to sum up summary
similarly comparison

Exercise 4: Correct the Linker

Wrong Right Why
Although she was poor, but she hired a cycle. Although she was poor, she hired a cycle. Use one contrast word, not two.
In spite of he was poor, he gave his vote free. Although he was poor, he gave his vote free. In spite of needs a noun or -ing.
The pitch was so high that a pitch no land was left. It rose to such a pitch that no land was left. Such goes with a noun phrase.
She hired a cycle, however, she lost money. She hired a cycle. However, she lost money. However opens a new sentence.
Because the well was far, so they walked miles. Because the well was far, they walked miles. Do not use because and so together.
He tore the paper for he could keep both promises. He tore the paper so that he could keep both promises. Purpose, not reason.
The women learnt cycling, also they trained others. The women learnt cycling and also trained others. Also goes before the verb, inside the clause.

Exercise 5: Two Full Practice Questions

Question 1 — 'Too Dear!' [but, so, because, that]

Monaco was a tiny kingdom, _ it had a king, an army and courtiers. Its revenue was very small, the king opened a gaming house. The people paid no taxes, the gaming house earned enough for all. When a murder was committed, the judges found _ there was no executioner in the kingdom.

Blank Answer Why
1 but The kingdom's tiny size contrasts with its royal trappings.
2 so Opening the gaming house is the result of the small revenue.
3 because It gives the reason why no taxes were needed.
4 that It introduces the clause after "found".

Question 2 — 'I Believe That Books Will Never Disappear' [however, since, and, that]

Borges said _ books would never disappear. He had been blind 1955, he continued to dictate poems. Blindness, _, was a resource for him rather than a misfortune.

Answers: that · since · and · however

[Exam Tip] — Fill the mechanical blanks first: a blank after knew, said or such a pitch takes that; a blank opening a sentence with a comma takes However or To begin with. The two remaining blanks then almost fill themselves.