Organising Contrast within Sentences

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

Sentence reordering

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 · Sentence reordering

   Arrange these parts into the correct sentence.

   Put the chunks in order to make one complete sentence. Keep the capitalised opening first and the punctuated ending last.

   Sentence parts

   • Despite
   • decided
   • the committee
   • the limited evidence,
   • to continue the trial.
   Check answers and explanations

   Correct order

   Despite the limited evidence, the committee decided to continue the trial.

   Despite takes a noun phrase; decide takes a to-infinitive.

2. Question 2 · Sentence reordering

   Arrange these parts into the correct sentence.

   Put the chunks in order to make one complete sentence. Keep the capitalised opening first and the punctuated ending last.

   Sentence parts

   • I
   • Much
   • as I respect your view,
   • cannot accept
   • the conclusion.
   Check answers and explanations

   Correct order

   Much as I respect your view, I cannot accept the conclusion.

   Much as introduces the opening concession before the disagreement.

3. Question 3 · Sentence reordering

   Arrange these parts into the correct sentence.

   Put the chunks in order to make one complete sentence. Keep the capitalised opening first and the punctuated ending last.

   Sentence parts

   • The first plan
   • is less costly,
   • offers greater flexibility.
   • the second
   • whereas
   Check answers and explanations

   Correct order

   The first plan is less costly, whereas the second offers greater flexibility.

   Whereas joins two contrasting finite clauses.

4. Question 4 · Sentence reordering

   Arrange these parts into the correct sentence.

   Put the chunks in order to make one complete sentence. Keep the capitalised opening first and the punctuated ending last.

   Sentence parts

   • Even
   • has
   • remained stable.
   • supply
   • though demand has risen,
   Check answers and explanations

   Correct order

   Even though demand has risen, supply has remained stable.

   Even though introduces the concession before the main clause.

5. Question 5 · Sentence reordering

   Arrange these parts into the correct sentence.

   Put the chunks in order to make one complete sentence. Keep the capitalised opening first and the punctuated ending last.

   Sentence parts

   • The measure
   • but
   • it is likely
   • may be unpopular,
   • to reduce delays.
   Check answers and explanations

   Correct order

   The measure may be unpopular, but it is likely to reduce delays.

   But links the contrasting main clauses; likely takes to.

6. Question 6 · Sentence reordering

   Arrange these parts into the correct sentence.

   Put the chunks in order to make one complete sentence. Keep the capitalised opening first and the punctuated ending last.

   Sentence parts

   • While
   • it
   • provides
   • the method has limitations,
   • useful preliminary evidence.
   Check answers and explanations

   Correct order

   While the method has limitations, it provides useful preliminary evidence.

   While introduces the concession about the method.

7. Question 7 · Sentence reordering

   Arrange these parts into the correct sentence.

   Put the chunks in order to make one complete sentence. Keep the capitalised opening first and the punctuated ending last.

   Sentence parts

   • The project
   • from residents.
   • in spite of
   • strong opposition
   • went ahead
   Check answers and explanations

   Correct order

   The project went ahead in spite of strong opposition from residents.

   In spite of takes a noun phrase with a following source modifier.

8. Question 8 · Sentence reordering

   Arrange these parts into the correct sentence.

   Put the chunks in order to make one complete sentence. Keep the capitalised opening first and the punctuated ending last.

   Sentence parts

   • However
   • convincing the claim may sound,
   • independent evidence.
   • it
   • still requires
   Check answers and explanations

   Correct order

   However convincing the claim may sound, it still requires independent evidence.

   However plus adjective introduces an unconditional concession.

9. Question 9 · Sentence reordering

   Arrange these parts into the correct sentence.

   Put the chunks in order to make one complete sentence. Keep the capitalised opening first and the punctuated ending last.

   Sentence parts

   • The reform
   • is ambitious;
   • is clearly defined.
   • its scope
   • nevertheless,
   Check answers and explanations

   Correct order

   The reform is ambitious; nevertheless, its scope is clearly defined.

   The semicolon and nevertheless join independent contrasting clauses.

10. Question 10 · Sentence reordering

    Arrange these parts into the correct sentence.

    Put the chunks in order to make one complete sentence. Keep the capitalised opening first and the punctuated ending last.

    Sentence parts

    • Although
    • eventually agreed
    • initially reluctant,
    • the board
    • to fund the study.
    Check answers and explanations

    Correct order

    Although initially reluctant, the board eventually agreed to fund the study.

    Although introduces a reduced concession; agree takes a to-infinitive.

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.