Understand the rule first
Name the relationship between ideas—cause, contrast, addition, time or result—before selecting a connective. A pronoun must point clearly to one earlier noun.
Cohesion, connectives & cloze 11+ practice
Choose connectives and references that make ideas flow logically.
Complete: ‘The path was flooded; ___, the walk was cancelled.’
- Flooding caused the cancellation.
- The second clause is a result.
- Therefore expresses cause and result.
A common misconception
Choosing a connective because it sounds formal even though it gives the wrong logical relationship.
Reusable method: Name the relationship—contrast, cause, time or addition—before choosing a connective.Question 1 of 10 EnglishcoreComplete: ‘The task was difficult; ___, Maya completed it without help.’
- Ahowever
- Btherefore
- Cbecause
- Dsimilarly
Need a hint?
The second idea contrasts with the expected result of difficulty.
Show worked answer
Answer A: however
However correctly signals the contrast.
Quick method: Name the relationship—contrast, cause, time or addition—before choosing a connective.
Question 2 of 10 EnglishcoreComplete: ‘We packed a torch ___ the tunnel was unlit.’
- Aalthough
- Bbecause
- Cunless
- Dmeanwhile
Need a hint?
The darkness gives the reason for packing the torch.
Show worked answer
Answer B: because
Because introduces the cause.
Quick method: Name the relationship—contrast, cause, time or addition—before choosing a connective.
Question 3 of 10 EnglishcoreWhich sentence has the clearest reference?
- AWhen Eva met Sara, she smiled.
- BEva met her and she smiled.
- CSara smiled when Eva arrived.
- DShe smiled when she met her.
Need a hint?
Choose the sentence that names who smiled.
Show worked answer
Answer C: Sara smiled when Eva arrived.
‘Sara smiled’ makes the reference unambiguous.
Quick method: Name the relationship—contrast, cause, time or addition—before choosing a connective.
Question 4 of 10 Englishexam-styleComplete: ‘First, rinse the rice. ___, add it to the boiling water.’
- AHowever
- BBecause
- COtherwise
- DNext
Need a hint?
The relationship is a sequence in time.
Show worked answer
Answer D: Next
Next signals the following step.
Quick method: Name the relationship—contrast, cause, time or addition—before choosing a connective.
Question 5 of 10 Englishexam-styleWhich connective best completes: ‘The forecast predicted sunshine. ___, dark clouds gathered by noon.’
- ANevertheless
- BTherefore
- CFor example
- DIn addition
Need a hint?
The actual weather contrasts with the forecast.
Show worked answer
Answer A: Nevertheless
Nevertheless signals an unexpected contrast.
Quick method: Name the relationship—contrast, cause, time or addition—before choosing a connective.
Question 6 of 10 EnglishcoreChoose the best connective: ‘The bridge was closed; ___, we used the longer route.’
- Atherefore
- Bmeanwhile
- Chowever
- Dsimilarly
Need a hint?
The second event is a result of the first.
Show worked answer
Answer A: therefore
‘Therefore’ signals that using the longer route was the result of the closure.
Quick method: Name the relationship—contrast, cause, time or addition—before choosing a connective.
Question 7 of 10 EnglishcoreChoose the best connective: ‘The first task was simple. ___, the second required careful planning.’
- AConsequently
- BHowever
- CFor example
- DLikewise
Need a hint?
The two tasks contrast.
Show worked answer
Answer B: However
‘However’ clearly signals the contrast between simple and demanding tasks.
Quick method: Name the relationship—contrast, cause, time or addition—before choosing a connective.
Question 8 of 10 EnglishcoreWhich revision makes the reference clearest? Original: ‘Mina told Asha that her folder was missing.’
- AMina told Asha about her missing folder.
- BShe told Asha that the folder was missing.
- CMina said, ‘Asha, your folder is missing.’
- DMina told her that it was missing.
Need a hint?
Remove the ambiguous pronoun by naming the owner.
Show worked answer
Answer C: Mina said, ‘Asha, your folder is missing.’
The direct address ‘Asha, your folder’ makes it clear that the missing folder belongs to Asha.
Quick method: Name the relationship—contrast, cause, time or addition—before choosing a connective.
Question 9 of 10 EnglishexamWhich sentence should come last in this sequence? 1 We checked the map. 2 We noticed a shorter path. 3 We compared its distance with our route. 4 ___.
- AThe map was folded into quarters.
- BMaps use symbols and a scale.
- CEarlier, the sky had been clear.
- DFinally, we chose the shorter path.
Need a hint?
The final sentence should complete the decision-making sequence.
Show worked answer
Answer D: Finally, we chose the shorter path.
After noticing and comparing the route, choosing it is the logical final step; ‘Finally’ reinforces the sequence.
Quick method: Name the relationship—contrast, cause, time or addition—before choosing a connective.
Question 10 of 10 EnglishstretchWhich version avoids unnecessary repetition while remaining clear?
- AThe telescope was expensive, but the instrument produced remarkably clear images.
- BThe telescope was expensive, but the telescope produced remarkably clear images.
- CThe telescope was expensive, but it produced telescope images clearly.
- DThe expensive was a telescope, but the instrument made images.
Need a hint?
Use a suitable substitute for the repeated noun.
Show worked answer
Answer A: The telescope was expensive, but the instrument produced remarkably clear images.
‘The instrument’ accurately refers back to ‘the telescope’ without awkward repetition.
Quick method: Name the relationship—contrast, cause, time or addition—before choosing a connective.