Expressing Contrast and Concession

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

B2. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Multiple choice

How to approach this practice

Read the complete context. Check both the meaning and the grammar, including word forms, collocations and links between sentences.

1. Question 1 · Multiple choice

   Choose all the correct answers.

   Choose TWO correct statements based on the information given. The service was useful despite its high cost.

   1. Despite it was expensive, the service was useful.
   2. Although its high cost, the service was useful.
   3. In spite of its high cost, the service was useful.
   4. Although it was expensive, the service was useful.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   In spite of its high cost, the service was useful.; Although it was expensive, the service was useful.

   Although takes a clause; despite and in spite of take noun phrases.

2. Question 2 · Multiple choice

   Choose all the correct answers.

   Choose TWO correct statements based on the information given. She finished the work although she was tired.

   1. Despite she was tired, she finished the work.
   2. Despite being tired, she finished the work.
   3. Although being tired she was, she finished the work.
   4. Tired though she was, she finished the work.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Despite being tired, she finished the work.; Tired though she was, she finished the work.

   Both correct concessions preserve completion despite fatigue.

3. Question 3 · Multiple choice

   Choose all the correct answers.

   Choose TWO correct statements based on the information given. The room is small but comfortable.

   1. Despite the room small, it comfortable.
   2. The room is comfortable because it is small.
   3. The room is small; nevertheless, it is comfortable.
   4. Although the room is small, it is comfortable.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The room is small; nevertheless, it is comfortable.; Although the room is small, it is comfortable.

   The correct forms express contrast, without inventing a causal link.

4. Question 4 · Multiple choice

   Choose all the correct answers.

   Choose TWO correct statements based on the information given. He attended even though he felt ill.

   1. He attended in spite of feeling ill.
   2. He attended despite he felt ill.
   3. Although he felt ill, he attended.
   4. He attended because he felt ill.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   He attended in spite of feeling ill.; Although he felt ill, he attended.

   In spite of takes feeling; although takes a full clause.

5. Question 5 · Multiple choice

   Choose all the correct answers.

   Choose TWO correct statements based on the information given. The first route is shorter, whereas the second is safer.

   1. The first route is shorter because the second is safer.
   2. The first route is shorter; by contrast, the second is safer.
   3. The first route is shorter, while the second is safer.
   4. The first route is shorter despite the second is safer.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The first route is shorter; by contrast, the second is safer.; The first route is shorter, while the second is safer.

   While and by contrast preserve the comparison of different advantages.

6. Question 6 · Multiple choice

   Choose all the correct answers.

   Choose TWO correct statements based on the information given. The plan has drawbacks, but it is still worth considering.

   1. Despite its drawbacks, the plan is worth considering.
   2. Despite it has drawbacks, the plan is worth consider.
   3. The plan is worth considering because every drawback is beneficial.
   4. The plan has drawbacks; even so, it is worth considering.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Despite its drawbacks, the plan is worth considering.; The plan has drawbacks; even so, it is worth considering.

   Both correct forms keep the concession and recommendation.

7. Question 7 · Multiple choice

   Choose all the correct answers.

   Choose TWO correct statements based on the information given. The repair was expensive, yet necessary.

   1. Despite expensive the repair necessary.
   2. The repair was unnecessary because it was expensive.
   3. The repair was expensive but necessary.
   4. Although expensive, the repair was necessary.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The repair was expensive but necessary.; Although expensive, the repair was necessary.

   But and although link the same contrasting descriptions.

8. Question 8 · Multiple choice

   Choose all the correct answers.

   Choose TWO correct statements based on the information given. The forecast was poor, but we went ahead.

   1. We went ahead unless the forecast was poor.
   2. The forecast was poor; however, we went ahead.
   3. We went ahead despite the poor forecast.
   4. We went ahead despite the forecast was poor.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The forecast was poor; however, we went ahead.; We went ahead despite the poor forecast.

   Despite plus noun and however plus clause express the same concession.

9. Question 9 · Multiple choice

   Choose all the correct answers.

   Choose TWO correct statements based on the information given. The evidence was limited, though the result was promising.

   1. The result was promising although the evidence was limited.
   2. The result was promising, therefore the evidence was complete.
   3. Despite the evidence was limited, the result promising.
   4. Despite limited evidence, the result was promising.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The result was promising although the evidence was limited.; Despite limited evidence, the result was promising.

   Both correct choices retain the limitation without denying the promise.

10. Question 10 · Multiple choice

    Choose all the correct answers.

    Choose TWO correct statements based on the information given. She lacked experience but learned quickly.

    1. Although she lacked experience, she learned quickly.
    2. Although her lack of experience, she learned quickly.
    3. Despite her lack of experience, she learned quickly.
    4. Despite she lacked experience, she learned quickly.
    Check answers and explanations

    Answer

    Although she lacked experience, she learned quickly.; Despite her lack of experience, she learned quickly.

    Clause and noun-phrase concessions require different linking words.

What to review next

Explain why each answer fits the meaning and structure. Record useful phrases and write a new example using each pattern you found difficult.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.