Adverbial Clauses Conjunctions Inversion Advanced Level Test

This second gap fill test contains 25 multiple choice questions on the topics of adverbial clauses, conjunctions, inversions (inverted structures) of English grammar. Both English learners and ESL teachers can use this online exercise as a revision to check the knowledge of English adverbial clauses, conjunctions, inversion (inverted structures).

Adverbial Clauses, Conjunctions, Inversion Advanced Level Test 2

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Question 1

The Aquatic Ape Hypothesis posits that scarcity of hair is an adaptation to an aquatic environment, _____ it has little support amongst scientists and very few aquatic mammals are, in fact, hairless.

A	furthermore
B	hence
C	as a result
D	in particular
E	but

Question 1 Explanation:

The second clause contrasts with the first: the hypothesis says one thing, but scientists do not support it. But is a coordinating conjunction, so it can join two full clauses after a comma. Furthermore, hence and as a result add or show a result, which is the wrong logic here; they are also adverbials, not conjunctions.

Question 2

At the meeting, the president of the association will represent Turkey _____ the Turkish government.

A	in addition to
B	on the verge of
C	in pursuit of
D	with a view to
E	on behalf of

Question 2 Explanation:

On behalf of means 'as the representative of' or 'in the name of' someone: the president speaks on behalf of the Turkish government. In addition to means 'as well as', and with a view to means 'with the aim of' (+ -ing). Neither fits the idea of representing someone.

Question 3

Monica Tabalon graduated from nursing school in the Philippines two years ago, but she still has not found a job _____ the growing demand both locally and internationally.

A	while
B	for
C	despite
D	as
E	although

Question 3 Explanation:

A noun phrase follows the gap (the growing demand), so we need a preposition of contrast: despite + noun. She has no job even though demand is high. Although and while are conjunctions and need a full clause (subject + verb) after them.

Question 4

The grasshopper is an insect found in all _____ the most frigid parts of the world.

A	although
B	but
C	because
D	also
E	while

Question 4 Explanation:

Here but means 'except'. All but the most frigid parts means every part of the world except the coldest ones. The other options are conjunctions or adverbs and cannot come between all and a noun phrase.

Question 5

Moderate exercise, a relaxed lifestyle, and a balanced diet tend to prolong life, _____ smoking, excessive drinking, and mental stress shorten the life span.

A	whereas
B	therefore
C	whereby
D	moreover
E	indeed

Question 5 Explanation:

Whereas joins two clauses that show a direct contrast: healthy habits prolong life, whereas bad habits shorten it. Whereby means 'by which' and does not show contrast. Therefore, moreover and indeed are linking adverbs that show result or addition, not contrast.

Question 6

_____ his previous lack of interest in biblical archaeology, Feyer would spend two years on what turned out to be a labour of love.

A	In case
B	While
C	Although
D	Despite
E	Owing to

Question 6 Explanation:

A noun phrase follows (his previous lack of interest), so we need a preposition of concession: Despite + noun. The meaning is 'he wasn't interested before, but he still spent two years on it'. Although and While would need a clause with a verb. Owing to shows cause, which is the wrong logic.

Question 7

Hussein says he was _____ asked _____ did he attempt to calculate the odds that the tomb was the final resting place of the ancient king.

A	so / that
B	no sooner / than
C	neither / nor
D	either / or
E	both / and

Question 7 Explanation:

Neither … nor joins two negative ideas: he was not asked and he did not attempt. When nor begins a clause, the subject and auxiliary are inverted: nor did he attempt. Either … or gives a choice between two things and does not cause inversion. No sooner … than is about time.

Question 8

_____ scientists try to make sense of our senses, they also seek to imitate or even improve on them to serve us in new ways.

A	As
B	As though
C	As soon as
D	Despite the fact that
E	Seeing that

Question 8 Explanation:

As here means 'while' or 'at the same time as': two actions happen together. Scientists try to understand the senses, and at the same time they try to copy them. As soon as means 'immediately after', and As though means 'as if'; neither fits the meaning.

Question 9

Observers in Africa will be treated to Earth's shadow creeping across the face of the moon, _____ those of us in the Western Hemisphere will see a rising orb that is already partially blocked.

A	in spite of
B	even if
C	while
D	because
E	for

Question 9 Explanation:

While can mean 'whereas' and contrasts two situations: observers in Africa see one thing, while people in the Western Hemisphere see another. In spite of needs a noun, not a clause. Even if states a condition, which is the wrong logic.

Question 10

Via his works, we cannot catch the inflection of his voice, his pregnant silences, his body language. _____, we can know him in a way that his best friends could not.

A	Therefore
B	In contrast
C	For instance
D	Specifically
E	That is to say

Question 10 Explanation:

The first sentence describes what we cannot know about him from his works. The second describes what we can know, so a contrast linker is needed: In contrast. Therefore shows a result and For instance introduces an example. Neither matches the opposite ideas in the two sentences.

Question 11

Some creatures found as fossils in the Shale are ancestors of animals alive today, _____ others have gone extinct and are not like any existing living thing.

A	before
B	until
C	as soon as
D	while
E	whenever

Question 11 Explanation:

While here means 'whereas'. It contrasts two groups: some fossil creatures are ancestors of living animals, others have gone extinct. Before, until, as soon as and whenever are time conjunctions, and there is no time relationship in this sentence.

Question 12

“We have two options,” he wrote. “_____ try to discover the genes important in malignancy by a piecemeal approach, _____ sequence the whole genome.”

A	Neither / nor
B	Either / or
C	Both / and
D	Not only / but also
E	No sooner / than

Question 12 Explanation:

We have two options is the clue. Either … or presents a choice between two alternatives: either do A, or do B. Neither … nor would reject both options. Both … and and Not only … but also would mean doing both things, not choosing one.

Question 13

The more cigarettes you smoke a day, and the longer you've smoked, the higher your risk of lung cancer. _____, the risk rises the deeper you inhale and the earlier in life you started smoking.

A	However
B	Therefore
C	Similarly
D	Conversely
E	Otherwise

Question 13 Explanation:

Both sentences describe the same kind of pattern: more or longer smoking means higher risk, and deeper or earlier smoking also means higher risk. Similarly introduces a second point that works in the same way as the first. Conversely and However would signal an opposite idea, and Therefore a result.

Question 14

_____ the medical literature has featured only scattered case reports of sword swallowing-related injury, sword swallowers in fact played an important role in medical history.

A	On the grounds that
B	Although
C	Due to the fact that
D	In view of the fact that
E	In so far as

Question 14 Explanation:

There is a concession here: there have been only a few reports, yet sword swallowers in fact played an important role. Although introduces a clause that contrasts with the main clause. On the grounds that, Due to the fact that and In view of the fact that all express a reason, which is the opposite logic.

Question 15

In planning, the architect must inquire into the essence of the activity, its purpose, technique, and site, _____ he must be able to imagine it as part of a whole.

A	although
B	much as
C	unless
D	or else
E	and

Question 15 Explanation:

The sentence lists two parallel requirements for the architect ("must inquire... must be able to imagine"): examining the specific details of the activity, and imagining it as part of a whole. And connects these two complementary duties. Although and much as subordinate one clause as a concession rather than linking two equal obligations. Unless introduces a negative condition, while or else means "otherwise" (introducing a consequence if the first requirement is not met), neither of which fits two duties that must both be fulfilled.

Question 16

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder affecting mainly girls or women; _____, boys or men can also suffer from it.

A	nevertheless
B	due to the fact that
C	since
D	such as
E	despite

Question 16 Explanation:

Nevertheless means 'in spite of this'. It is a linking adverb, so it follows a semicolon or full stop and is followed by a comma: …women; nevertheless, boys…. The disorder affects mainly females, but males can still get it. Despite needs a noun, and since or due to the fact that would give a reason, which is the wrong logic.

Question 17

The cause of anorexia nervosa is unknown, even though it is likely that _____ inherent biological factors _____ factors in the patient's social environment play a part.

A	both / and
B	neither / nor
C	either / or
D	no sooner / than
E	hardly / when

Question 17 Explanation:

The plural verb play shows that two causes work together: biological factors and social factors. Both … and joins two items and says both are true. Either … or would mean only one of them plays a part. Neither … nor would mean none of them do, which contradicts it is likely.

Question 18

_____ the increased popularity and presence of online learning opportunities, _____, many researchers and practitioners are decrying the lack of a research-validated framework to guide their design.

A	Owing to / no matter
B	Despite / even if
C	Because / although
D	In spite of / however
E	Despite the fact that / whereas

Question 18 Explanation:

A noun phrase follows the first gap, so we need a preposition of concession: In spite of + noun. The second gap comes between commas, a typical position for the linking adverb however, which adds emphasis to the contrast. Owing to shows cause, Because needs a clause, and even if and whereas cannot stand alone between commas like this.

Question 19

For most people, acne tends to go away by the time they reach their mid-20s; _____, very sensitive people may continue to have the disorder until they reach their 40s.

A	therefore
B	however
C	hence
D	as a result
E	besides

Question 19 Explanation:

The second clause contrasts with the first: for most people acne goes away, but for some it continues. After a semicolon, the contrast linker however is used, followed by a comma. Therefore, hence and as a result show a result, and besides adds a point; none of these shows contrast.

Question 20

The word “depression” is often used to describe when someone is feeling “low”, or having “got out of bed on the wrong side”. _____, doctors use the word in different ways.

A	Moreover
B	Thus
C	That is
D	Consequently
E	Nevertheless

Question 20 Explanation:

The first sentence describes the everyday use of depression. The second says doctors use it differently, which is a contrast. Nevertheless ('in spite of this') introduces that contrast. Moreover adds a point, and Thus and Consequently show a result. That is rephrases the same idea.

Question 21

We are no happier _____ average incomes have more than doubled since 1950.

A	in case
B	in view of
C	even though
D	in that
E	in spite of

Question 21 Explanation:

A full clause follows (average incomes have more than doubled), so we need a conjunction of concession: even though. Incomes rose, yet we are not happier. In spite of and in view of need a noun, and in case and in that give a precaution or a reason, which is the wrong logic.

Question 22

Many families in the region are struggling with higher prices and job losses _____ the ongoing economic crisis.

A	even if
B	although
C	owing to
D	however
E	despite

Question 22 Explanation:

Owing to means 'because of'. It is followed by a noun phrase that gives the cause: the economic crisis is the reason for the families' problems. Despite would show contrast, not cause. Even if, although and however cannot be followed directly by a noun phrase in this way.

Question 23

Sky watchers west of the Mississippi will miss this lunar show, _____ another eclipse on August 28 will favour them.

A	because
B	but
C	despite
D	owing to
E	in view of

Question 23 Explanation:

Two contrasting clauses are joined: these sky watchers will miss this eclipse, but another one will suit them. But is a coordinating conjunction that joins two clauses. Despite, owing to and in view of need a noun, and because gives a reason, which is the wrong logic.

Question 24

We don’t have to go shopping, _____ do we have to dine at home.

A	for
B	or else
C	yet
D	so
E	nor

Question 24 Explanation:

Nor adds a second negative idea after a negative clause (We don't have to…). The subject and auxiliary are inverted after it: nor do we have to. The inversion do we is the clue, because only nor (or neither) causes inversion here. Yet and so would need normal word order.

Question 25

High heat causes rapid loss of water _____ sweating.

A	in spite of
B	due to
C	until
D	since
E	much as

Question 25 Explanation:

Due to means 'because of' and is followed by a noun: due to sweating. Sweating is the way the body loses water. Since as a reason word needs a clause, and in spite of shows contrast, which makes no sense here.

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