Adverbial Clauses Conjunctions Inversion Advanced Level Test

This fourth 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 4

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Question 1

It's generally a decision by each company or cruise line _____ how many doctors or nurses to provide.

A	all in all
B	as regard
C	in fact
D	as to
E	by the same token

Question 1 Explanation:

As to means 'about' or 'concerning'. It is often followed by a wh-word: a decision as to how many…. Not as regard, which is not a correct form; the phrases are as regards or with regard to.

Question 2

Some of the more productive petroleum areas on Earth are found in arid and semiarid regions of Africa and the Middle East, _____ the oil fields were originally formed in shallow marine environments.

A	although
B	however
C	whatever
D	in order to
E	for fear that

Question 2 Explanation:

The second clause shows a contrast. The oil fields are now in deserts, but they were formed in the sea. Although is a conjunction, so it can join two full clauses. Not however: it is an adverb and cannot link two clauses with only a comma.

Question 3

Some of the great minds argued that the universe was not a confined space, _____ others contended that its boundaries were drawn.

A	while
B	thus
C	all the same
D	however
E	as to

Question 3 Explanation:

While here is a conjunction of contrast meaning 'whereas'. It compares two opposing views in one sentence: some said the universe had no limits, others said it did. Thus, all the same and however are adverbs and cannot join the clauses after a comma.

Question 4

_____ how aggressively the U.S. tackles its carbon problem, the global outlook hinges on the coal-fired economies of the world’s two looming giants: China and India.

A	In view of
B	No matter
C	However
D	As if
E	Hence

Question 4 Explanation:

No matter how + clause means 'it is not important how': No matter how aggressively the U.S. tackles…. Not However: however already contains 'how', so However how is impossible.

Question 5

We need to hear from the inspectors to know for sure, but it sounds _____ the factory has not yet got as far with its safety program as it has been claiming.

A	just as
B	as though
C	thereby
D	meanwhile
E	that is

Question 5 Explanation:

After verbs like sound, look and seem, we use as though / as if + clause to say how something appears: It sounds as though the factory has not…. Not just as, which compares two actions ('in the same way that') and does not follow sound.

Question 6

Economic growth can be enjoyed and shared evenly only in a community where solidarity has developed _____ familiarity.

A	in order that
B	in spite of
C	despite
D	as a consequence of
E	in the event that

Question 6 Explanation:

As a consequence of means 'as a result of'. Here, solidarity grows because people know each other well. Not in spite of / despite: familiarity is the cause of solidarity, not an obstacle to it.

Question 7

_____ I would like to help you, I'm afraid I'm simply too busy at the moment.

A	However
B	While
C	Inasmuch as
D	Unless
E	Despite

Question 7 Explanation:

While can mean 'although'. It introduces a real fact that contrasts with the main clause: While I would like to help you, I'm too busy. Not Despite: it needs a noun or -ing form, not a clause. Not However: it cannot introduce a clause like this.

Question 8

I try not to think about it too much, but _____ I can't believe how lucky I was to survive such a terrifying accident.

A	even if
B	as if
C	even though
D	even now
E	even

Question 8 Explanation:

Even now means 'still, at this moment, after all this time': Even now I can't believe how lucky I was. Not even though or even if: these are conjunctions, so they need a second clause to complete the sentence.

Question 9

_____ Mr Ash’s pride in the system he has put together, it hasn’t always been as reliable as he might have wished.

A	Lest
B	Even though
C	In spite of
D	However
E	No matter

Question 9 Explanation:

In spite of is followed by a noun phrase: In spite of Mr Ash's pride in the system…. Not Even though: it must be followed by a full clause with a verb, e.g. Even though Mr Ash is proud of the system…

Question 10

OK, I admit that health insurance costs a lot of money. But _____, if people stay healthy, you shouldn't think of it as losing money.

A	similar
B	on the other hand
C	hardly
D	in addition
E	for

Question 10 Explanation:

On the other hand introduces an opposing point after an admission: I admit it is expensive. But on the other hand…. Not in addition, which adds a similar point rather than a contrasting one.

Question 11

Because it is on the verge of bankruptcy, the company is trying to reduce its costs; _____, staff who leave are not being replaced.

A	consequently
B	because
C	yet
D	however
E	provided that

Question 11 Explanation:

Consequently means 'as a result'. It often comes after a semicolon and is followed by a comma. Not replacing staff is the result of cutting costs. Not however, which would show a contrast, not a result.

Question 12

The thinker writes in support of freedom _____ darkness may fall upon our society in the form of dwindling rights and oppression.

A	however
B	lest
C	in order that
D	apart from
E	in that

Question 12 Explanation:

Lest is a formal word meaning 'so that … not' or 'for fear that'. It is often followed by should, may or a subjunctive: He writes in support of freedom lest darkness may fall…. Not in order that, which would mean he wants darkness to fall.

Question 13

The charity concert for the homeless has been cancelled _____ the lack of support.

A	owing to
B	in spite of
C	as long as
D	in contrast to
E	as a result

Question 13 Explanation:

Owing to (= because of) is followed by a noun: cancelled owing to the lack of support. Not as a result: before a noun you need as a result of.

Question 14

All the children are lumped together in one class, _____ their ability.

A	as regards
B	regarding
C	regardless of
D	with regard to
E	in regard to

Question 14 Explanation:

Regardless of means 'without considering': all the children are in one class whatever their ability. The other options (as regards, regarding, with regard to, in regard to) all mean 'about/concerning', which does not fit the meaning.

Question 15

We'll take an umbrella _____ insure ourselves against the unfortunate possibility that it might rain.

A	according to
B	so as to
C	owing to
D	due to
E	as to

Question 15 Explanation:

So as to + base verb expresses purpose, like in order to: We'll take an umbrella so as to insure ourselves…. Not owing to or due to: these give a reason and are followed by a noun, not a verb.

Question 16

The Ottomans started to use a crescent and a star on their flags, _____ the current Turkish flag, after the 16th century.

A	owing to
B	similar to
C	however
D	since
E	for example

Question 16 Explanation:

Similar to + noun means 'like, almost the same as': flags similar to the current Turkish flag. Not for example, which introduces an example of a group, not a comparison.

Question 17

Granted that it is dangerous, _____ I still want to go.

A	all the same
B	although
C	whereas
D	in case
E	therefore

Question 17 Explanation:

Granted that (= I accept that) introduces a concession. The main clause then uses all the same (= nevertheless): Granted that it is dangerous, all the same I still want to go. Not although: it would also be a concession word, and the sentence already starts with one.

Question 18

_____ the fire had broken out did the lack of safety measures become obvious.

A	When
B	Only after
C	Never
D	Hardly
E	Not

Question 18 Explanation:

When a sentence begins with Only after + clause, the main clause uses question-style inversion: Only after the fire had broken out did the lack… become obvious. Not When: it does not cause inversion, so did … become would be wrong. Not Hardly: it needs had straight after it and when in the second clause.

Question 19

We felt very nice and snug, _____ there was a fire in the room.

A	otherwise
B	so that
C	as if
D	provided
E	all the same

Question 19 Explanation:

As if + clause describes how something feels or seems, often in an imaginary way: We felt snug, as if there was a fire in the room (there wasn't really one). Not so that, which expresses purpose or result.

Question 20

He knocked over the red wine, _____ ruining the tablecloth.

A	thereby
B	nonetheless
C	furthermore
D	meanwhile
E	so

Question 20 Explanation:

Thereby + -ing means 'and as a result of this': He knocked over the wine, thereby ruining the tablecloth. Not so: it is followed by a clause (so he ruined…), not normally by an -ing form.

Question 21

_____ dessert, I'd better skip it today as I am getting too fat.

A	In short
B	As for
C	That is
D	Just as
E	In spite of

Question 21 Explanation:

As for + noun introduces a new topic: 'about / concerning': As for dessert, I'd better skip it. Not In spite of, which shows contrast and does not make sense here.

Question 22

He refused to answer any of the questions asked _____ he had been unfairly dismissed from the base.

A	so that
B	in order that
C	on the grounds that
D	for fear that
E	in that

Question 22 Explanation:

On the grounds that + clause gives the reason for an action or decision: He refused to answer on the grounds that he had been unfairly dismissed. Not for fear that, which expresses worry about a possible future event, not a reason based on a fact.

Question 23

Off the coast of the South-West Mediterranean Region _____ the groups of islands, a popular summer resort area.

A	lie
B	lay
C	lying
D	has lain
E	had lain

Question 23 Explanation:

When a sentence starts with a place phrase (Off the coast of…), the verb often comes before the subject: Off the coast … lie the groups of islands. The subject the groups is plural, and the fact is true now, so we use the present simple lie. Not lay: it is the past of lie (or the verb 'to put down'), and there is no past time here.

Question 24

I would have asked her about the subject we discussed _____ I seen her at the party yesterday.

A	if
B	had
C	were
D	not until
E	never

Question 24 Explanation:

In a third conditional we can leave out if and invert had and the subject: had I seen her = if I had seen her. Not if: if I seen her is wrong because the auxiliary had is missing.

Question 25

_____ high were the Alps _____ the elderly climbers could take only a couple of steps per minute as they came closer to the apex.

A	As / as
B	Either / or
C	Neither / nor
D	Such / that
E	So / that

Question 25 Explanation:

So + adjective can begin a sentence for emphasis, with the verb inverted and that introducing the result: So high were the Alps that…. Not Such / that: such is used with a noun phrase (such high mountains), not with an adjective alone.

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