Stance Markers and Their Contexts

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

C1. 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

Matching

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 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Match each beginning to its only suitable ending. Distinguishing certainty from likelihood.

   Answer choices

   • The speaker expresses confidence without doubt.
   • The evaluation is defensible but open to debate.
   • The speaker presents a possible scenario.

   Items

   • Arguably, the distinction is useful.
   • Undoubtedly, the letter is original.
   • Conceivably, an event explains the gap.
   Check answers and explanations

   1. Arguably, the distinction is useful.

   The evaluation is defensible but open to debate.

   2. Undoubtedly, the letter is original.

   The speaker expresses confidence without doubt.

   3. Conceivably, an event explains the gap.

   The speaker presents a possible scenario.

   The endings respectively assert a debatable evaluation, confidence and a possible scenario.

2. Question 2 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Match each beginning to its only suitable ending. Qualifying the strength of evidence.

   Answer choices

   • Preliminary support is presented as the upper evidential limit.
   • Invalidation is presented as the most negative plausible outcome.
   • The judgement follows weighing advantages against disadvantages.

   Items

   • At best, the trial offers preliminary support.
   • At worst, the error could invalidate the comparison.
   • On balance, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.
   Check answers and explanations

   1. At best, the trial offers preliminary support.

   Preliminary support is presented as the upper evidential limit.

   2. At worst, the error could invalidate the comparison.

   Invalidation is presented as the most negative plausible outcome.

   3. On balance, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.

   The judgement follows weighing advantages against disadvantages.

   The expressions mark an upper evidential limit, a worst outcome and an overall judgement.

3. Question 3 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Match each beginning to its only suitable ending. Separating appearance and reality.

   Answer choices

   • This describes an expectation not necessarily tested in actual use.
   • This describes actual operation rather than written expectations.
   • This describes the stated appearance, leaving the real purpose open.

   Items

   • Ostensibly, the visit was ceremonial.
   • In practice, the rule is applied flexibly.
   • In theory, the process should work.
   Check answers and explanations

   1. Ostensibly, the visit was ceremonial.

   This describes the stated appearance, leaving the real purpose open.

   2. In practice, the rule is applied flexibly.

   This describes actual operation rather than written expectations.

   3. In theory, the process should work.

   This describes an expectation not necessarily tested in actual use.

   The cues distinguish a stated appearance, actual operation and an untested expectation.

4. Question 4 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Match each beginning to its only suitable ending. Making a concession precise.

   Answer choices

   • The speaker explicitly concedes a limitation.
   • The speaker counters the force of the preceding point.
   • The recommendation is presented as a consequence of the preceding reasoning.

   Items

   • Admittedly, the sample is small.
   • Nevertheless, the limitation does not erase the difference.
   • Accordingly, we recommend a larger study.
   Check answers and explanations

   1. Admittedly, the sample is small.

   The speaker explicitly concedes a limitation.

   2. Nevertheless, the limitation does not erase the difference.

   The speaker counters the force of the preceding point.

   3. Accordingly, we recommend a larger study.

   The recommendation is presented as a consequence of the preceding reasoning.

   Admittedly concedes, nevertheless counters and accordingly draws a practical consequence.

5. Question 5 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Match each beginning to its only suitable ending. Specifying the relevant respect.

   Answer choices

   • The evaluation invokes a governing value.
   • The evaluation is restricted to money.
   • The evaluation concerns actual implementation.

   Items

   • In financial terms, the saving is modest.
   • From a practical standpoint, access is difficult.
   • As a matter of principle, equal cases deserve equal treatment.
   Check answers and explanations

   1. In financial terms, the saving is modest.

   The evaluation is restricted to money.

   2. From a practical standpoint, access is difficult.

   The evaluation concerns actual implementation.

   3. As a matter of principle, equal cases deserve equal treatment.

   The evaluation invokes a governing value.

   Finance, practical operation and a governing value give distinct frames.

6. Question 6 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Match each beginning to its only suitable ending. Marking evidence sources.

   Answer choices

   • The source is the person's self-report.
   • The judgement is inferred from numerical evidence.
   • The source is a written meeting record.

   Items

   • According to the minutes, the vote was unanimous.
   • By the witness's own account, she arrived late.
   • Judging by the attendance figures, interest has declined.
   Check answers and explanations

   1. According to the minutes, the vote was unanimous.

   The source is a written meeting record.

   2. By the witness's own account, she arrived late.

   The source is the person's self-report.

   3. Judging by the attendance figures, interest has declined.

   The judgement is inferred from numerical evidence.

   A written record, a witness's self-report and an inference from numbers are different sources.

7. Question 7 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Match each beginning to its only suitable ending. Controlling generalisation.

   Answer choices

   • The claim excludes any counterexample.
   • The comparison is restricted to a single dimension.
   • The claim allows a minority of exceptions.

   Items

   • For the most part, the records are complete.
   • Without exception, every entry has a date.
   • In one respect, the newer method is superior.
   Check answers and explanations

   1. For the most part, the records are complete.

   The claim allows a minority of exceptions.

   2. Without exception, every entry has a date.

   The claim excludes any counterexample.

   3. In one respect, the newer method is superior.

   The comparison is restricted to a single dimension.

   The endings distinguish a broad generalisation, a universal statement and a single dimension.

8. Question 8 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Match each beginning to its only suitable ending. Reframing a judgement.

   Answer choices

   • The judgement is formed by looking back.
   • The statement describes a temporary state.
   • The statement describes the actual eventual outcome.

   Items

   • In retrospect, the warning deserved more attention.
   • For the time being, the arrangement remains.
   • In the event, the feared shortage did not occur.
   Check answers and explanations

   1. In retrospect, the warning deserved more attention.

   The judgement is formed by looking back.

   2. For the time being, the arrangement remains.

   The statement describes a temporary state.

   3. In the event, the feared shortage did not occur.

   The statement describes the actual eventual outcome.

   Hindsight, a temporary state and the actual outcome have different temporal frames.

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.